Angel wing begonia guide
Begonia × corallina, also called cane begonia, Begonia coccinea, dragon wing begonia
Published 2026-11-08
Quick care
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- When the top 2 to 3 cm (1 in) of soil is dry. Keep water off the leaves.
- Humidity
- Average to high. Rex begonias like more.
- Temperature
- 16 to 24°C (60 to 75°F). Keep above 13°C (55°F).
- Soil
- Light, airy houseplant mix with perlite
- Feeding
- Half-strength fertilizer every two to four weeks in spring and summer
- Pets
- Toxic to cats and dogs. The roots and tubers are the most toxic.
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Mature size
- 60 cm to 1.2 m (2 to 4 ft) tall
- Propagation
- Stem cuttings, or leaf cuttings for rex begonias
- Where to buy
- Common
This page covers what makes angel wing begonia different. For light, water, soil, pests, and the rest, read the begonia care guide.
What it is
Angel wing begonia is a cane begonia with long, wing-shaped leaves, often flecked with silver. The undersides are red. It blooms with hanging clusters of pink, red, or white flowers for months. It grows tall on bamboo-like canes.
How to tell it apart
| Plant | Leaves | The tell |
|---|---|---|
| Angel wing begonia | Wings, few silver flecks, hanging flowers | Big flower clusters |
| Polka dot begonia | Wings, many round silver dots | Bold polka dots and small white flowers |
| Rex begonia | Round, swirled colors | Low and colorful |
Care differences
Angel wing begonias want more light than rex begonias to bloom. A bright east window works well.
They get tall. Cut the oldest canes back to a few nodes in spring. New shoots fill in from the base.
Grow it from a cutting
Cut a cane piece with two or three nodes. Root it in water or moist soil. Roots form in two to three weeks.
Pet safety
Like all begonias, it is toxic to cats and dogs.
Buying it
Angel wing begonias are common at garden centers. Look for full plants with several canes and flower buds.