Begonia albopicta

Begonia Wings ‘Albopicta’, or Begonia × albopicta is an angel wing begonia (often called bamboo begonia) valued for its green leaves spotted with silver. On a shelf, in a pot or hanging basket, it fits well in vintage-style décor or a very contemporary interior, under bright but filtered light. When conditions suit it, it flowers freely as a bonus, producing small clusters of pale pink flowers.

Belonging to the Begoniaceae family, Begonia × albopicta is a natural hybrid described by William Bull in 1885. Its native range lies in south-eastern Brazil, in tropical rainforests; its parents are Begonia maculata and B. olbia, and it is particularly assigned to section Gaerdtia. It can also be found under the names Begonia albo-picta, Begonia maculata var. albopicta, or Begonia × argenteoguttata, depending on the source.
It is a perennial with fibrous roots that develops canes, or segmented green stems, capable of exceeding 1 m tall indoors (up to 1.50 m under very favourable conditions). They bear asymmetrical, lanceolate, 9 to 12 cm long leaves with a slightly wavy margin. Their deep green surface is scattered with fine silvery pits, denser and smaller than those of Begonia maculata. The flowering consists of pendulous clusters of small, single, cream-white to pale pink flowers in summer. Like many begonias, the plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested (calcium oxalates, especially in the underground parts).

Indoors, place it in filtered light, in a bright environment, between 15 and 22 °C, with air humidity between 50 and 60%. This plant is fairly easy; it mainly requires a stable atmosphere: air that is too dry and temperature fluctuations will weaken it. It thrives in a bright living room, a temperate conservatory or a well-lit bathroom.

In the home, Begonia Wings 'Albopicta' is best placed up high: on a stand near an east- or west-facing window, or in a hanging basket; ideal for enjoying its trailing flower stems. Combine it with matte materials, brown stoneware, black metal, or an ecru cord hanger, which emphasises its architectural stems. Pair it, for instance, with Asplenium nidus ‘Crispy Wave’ with its wavy fronds, Ctenanthe oppenheimiana, Aeschynanthus ‘Mona Lisa’, which blooms in cascades, and Peperomia caperata ‘Rosso’, compact and colourful, to dress the base of the pot.