Begonia olivacea

Plant Name: Begonia olivacea

Tankquility Catalogue #: TQ-02679

Synonyms/Trade Names:

Original Plant Sourced as: Begonia olivacea

Plant Family: Begoniaceae

Plant Native to¹: Sumatera

Plant Type: Epiphytic (lithophyte)

Image Details²:

Image 1: Terrarium grown plant of Begonia olivacea.

Image 2: Detail of the leaves of terrarium grown plant of Begonia olivacea.

Image 3: Terrarium grown plant of Begonia olivacea in flower.

Image 4: Inflorescence of Begonia olivacea carrying multiple flowers.

Image 5: Male flower from upper part of inflorescence shown in Image 4.

Image 6: Unopened male flower (lower) and female flower with winged ovary (upper) from lower part of inflorescence shown in Image 4.

General Information and Cultivation³: A miniature-size Begonia, relatively easy to cultivate. Growth habit is prostrate and spreading. Begonia olivacea prefers humid terrarium conditions (ventilation appears to be unnecessary). Tankquility cultures this clone at about 23° Celsius, in a granular substrate based on akadama and scoria. Marble chips may be added to the media. Fertilize moderately.

Leaf and stem propagation work with high success rate.

Ease of Care: Easy

Plant Size/Portion Size:

Terrarium grown plant: Plant with good root development, grown in a 100mm pot.

Further Reading:

Hughes, M., Girmansyah, D. & Ardi, W.H. (2015). Further discoveries in the ever-expanding genus Begonia (Begoniaceae): fifteen new species from Sumatra. European Journal of Taxonomy 167 (-): 1-40.

¹ Distribution is taken from Plants of the World Online (https://powo.science.kew.org/) unless stated otherwise.

² All images used on the Tankquility website have been taken of plants growing in our nursery.

³ The general and cultural information provided is based on our own experience and observation. If we supply information from others, we have acknowledged the source.