Begonia Begonia Maculata | Polka Dot Begonia | Clown Begonia
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We love the striking look of the Polka Dot Begonia (Begonia maculata), also known as the Clown Begonia or Angel Wing Begonia. With its dark green leaves covered in bold silver spots and vibrant flowers that appear throughout the year, it’s one of the most dramatic and stylish indoor plants you can grow. Hardy, easy to care for, and full of character, this begonia is making a big comeback as a must-have houseplant.
Buying it as a gift? We’ll include a free handwritten card — just add your message at checkout. We’ll wrap it with care and leave out the paperwork or price tags, creating a lovely surprise for the recipient.
Native habitat and growth pattern
Begonia maculata is native to the Atlantic rainforests of Brazil, where it grows as an understory plant in shaded, humid conditions. First introduced to Europe in the 17th century and named after the French botanist Michel Bégon, it has been cherished ever since as a collector’s plant. Indoors, its upright cane-like stems and angel-wing-shaped leaves create an elegant yet wild look.
Size
W12cm x H25cm. Supplied in a plastic nursery pot.
Styling tips
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A showpiece plant for shelves, desks, or living rooms
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Pairs beautifully with simple, modern pots to let the foliage shine
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Works well in plant groupings to add texture and colour contrast
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Can be cut back if leggy for a bushier, fuller appearance
Polka Dot Begonia care guide
Light requirements:
Prefers bright, indirect light. Too much direct sun may scorch the leaves, while too little light can reduce flowering.
Watering:
Water when the top few centimetres of soil feel dry. Keep soil lightly moist but never waterlogged. Avoid letting the roots sit in standing water.
Feeding:
Feed every 2–4 weeks in spring and summer. We recommend our vegan, organic Original Plant Food to encourage lush growth and regular flowering.
Humidity:
Enjoys higher humidity but adapts well to normal household conditions. Place on a pebble tray or mist occasionally to keep the leaves healthy.
Pet safety:
Toxic if ingested — keep away from cats and dogs.
Propagation:
Easily propagated from stem cuttings placed in water or soil.
Why choose this plant?
The Polka Dot Begonia is one of the most iconic houseplants of all time, famous for its unique spotted leaves and dramatic, upright growth. Its angel-wing foliage and long-lasting flowers bring both colour and texture, making it a standout plant for any home.
Despite its exotic appearance, it’s surprisingly easy to care for. It grows well in shade, tolerates household conditions, and responds beautifully to pruning — perfect for beginners as well as seasoned collectors. Whether you let it grow wild and tall or keep it trimmed and compact, it adapts to your style.
As a gift, it’s a true showstopper. Its unusual appearance and hardy nature make it a thoughtful choice for birthdays, housewarmings, or anyone who loves striking indoor plants.
FAQs
Why are the leaves on my Polka Dot Begonia dropping?
This often happens from overwatering. Let the soil dry slightly before watering again.
Will my Begonia maculata flower indoors?
Yes — given bright, indirect light, it can produce clusters of small pink or white flowers throughout the year.
Can I grow Polka Dot Begonia outside?
Yes, in summer it can be placed in a sheltered, shaded spot outdoors, but bring it back inside before temperatures drop.
How do I stop my Begonia from getting leggy?
Simply prune back long stems — this will encourage a bushier, fuller plant.
Explore More
Looking for more vibrant and easy-to-grow greenery? Browse our Easy Care Houseplants for beginner-friendly options, or explore our Tropical Indoor Plants for bold foliage and rainforest style. For detailed plant care guides, tips on watering and dormancy, and expert advice, visit the Happy Houseplants blog.
To keep your plant thriving, feed once a month during spring and summer with our vegan, organic Original Plant Food, specially formulated for healthy growth and lush foliage.
Happy Houseplants delivers live houseplants across the UK with fast, carbon-neutral tracked service.
At Happy Houseplants, we ship all live plants via DPD’s 24-hour tracked carbon-neutral service. Delivery usually takes 7–10 working days, but in most cases your plants will arrive much sooner. You can read more about delivery here.
We post to most of the UK, but we’re unable to deliver to the Scottish Highlands and Islands, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Isle of Wight, the Scilly Isles and the Channel Islands because of higher shipping costs.
When we list a plant’s height, it always includes the grow pot, stem, foliage and living root system — not just what you see above the soil. Because every plant is unique, yours may arrive a little smaller or larger than the size listed.
Happy Houseplants is the UK’s leading online plant shop for rare and unusual houseplants. At Happy Houseplants, we’re more than just a shop. We’re a family-run business, proud RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal winners, and home to the UK’s number one houseplant blog. Plant lovers across the country trust us for beautiful, healthy plants and expert care.
We specialise in everything from easy-care houseplants for beginners to rare and unusual plants for collectors. Every order is hand-packed by our small team in sustainable, plastic-free packaging and delivered through DPD’s carbon-neutral tracked service.
We’re rated Excellent on Trustpilot and consistently praised for the quality of our plants, the care we take with packaging, and our friendly, knowledgeable service. When you choose Happy Houseplants, you’re choosing sustainability, knowledge and a genuine passion for plants.
Looking for more vibrant and easy-care houseplants? Check out our Easy Care Houseplants collection or browse our Pet Friendly Houseplants if you’ve got furry friends at home. And why not read the Happy Houseplants blog for more styling ideas and plant care tips?
Happy Houseplants runs the UK’s number one houseplant blog with expert tips and guidance.
At Happy Houseplants, we believe buying a plant is only the start — helping it thrive is what really matters. That’s why we run the UK’s number one houseplant blog, filled with expert advice on watering, light, feeding, pest care and more.
Every plant we sell comes with straightforward care tips, and if you’d like to dive deeper you’ll find hundreds of helpful guides and styling ideas on our blog. Explore them here: Happy Houseplants Blog.
Whether you’re just starting out or building a collection, you’ll always find support and inspiration from us.
Happy Houseplants makes plant gifting simple with handwritten cards and nationwide delivery.
At Happy Houseplants, we believe plants make the perfect living gift — thoughtful, long-lasting, and always a joy to receive. Unlike flowers that fade quickly, a houseplant grows and thrives, becoming a lasting reminder of your care.
Sending a gift is simple. Just add your message at checkout and we’ll handwrite it on a card for you. We never include prices or invoices, so your plant arrives as a pure surprise.
Our carefully chosen range includes everything from easy-care indoor plants for beginners to rare and unusual plants for collectors — ideal for birthdays, thank-yous, housewarmings or simply to brighten someone’s day. Every gift is hand-packed in sustainable, plastic-free packaging and delivered nationwide with DPD’s carbon-neutral tracked service.
When you send a gift from Happy Houseplants, you’re not just giving a plant — you’re sending a beautiful, meaningful gesture that lasts.
Happy Houseplants makes it easy to find pet-safe and easy-care houseplants in the UK.
At Happy Houseplants, we know every home is different. That’s why we make it easy to find plants that fit your lifestyle — whether you’re looking for pet-safe options or low-maintenance plants that thrive with minimal fuss.
Our Pet-Friendly Houseplants are carefully chosen so you can add greenery to your home without worry around cats or dogs.
Our Easy Care Houseplants are perfect for beginners or busy households, with varieties that don’t demand constant attention but still bring life and beauty to your space.
