Begonia retinervia

A rare begonia from limestone karst in north-central Guangxi, China, described in 2006. It is grown for its near-black, finely hairy leaves with raised veins. It grows on limestone slopes and inside damp caves at 200–550 m, so it wants low light, very humid air, a monsoon-like warm summer with a cooler winter, and a free-draining mix with added lime.

At home, aim for

Day IntermediateTargets in Plantistry

Night Close to the dayTargets in Plantistry

Humidity Humid airBand in Plantistry

Light ShadeDLI and PPFD in Plantistry

No rest periodGrows on rock (lithophyte)

Where it grows wild

Limestone slopes and the damp, shaded mouths and interiors of limestone caves in karst country. It is rare within its small range. It flowers from August to October and fruits from November into March.

200–550 m.

China (Guangxi)

🔒 Growing it like that

The wild conditions above, turned into targets for a shelf, a tent or a greenhouse. The full profile has:

✓ Day and night temperature targets, and the limits it tolerates

✓ Humidity band, and how to hold it

✓ Light as DLI and PPFD for a grow light

✓ Wet and dry seasons, and whether to rest it

✓ Substrate and airflow

✓ A step-by-step setup to grow it like the wild

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Profiles are drafts built from measured range and climate and from published sources; each section carries its own confidence in the app.