Sign in Start free
Species library › Begonia › Begonia samhaensis
Begonias Partly documented

Begonia samhaensis

An extremely localised begonia known only from shady, north-facing limestone cliffs near the summit of Samhah island in the Socotra Archipelago, Yemen. It is related to Begonia socotrana but has asymmetric ovate leaves and flowers after rain rather than in response to short days. At home it needs a bright but shaded, well-ventilated spot, a gritty lime-tolerant mix, and a drier rest period.

At home, aim for
Day IntermediateTargets in Plantistry
Night Close to the dayTargets in Plantistry
Humidity Ordinary room humidityBand in Plantistry
Light Dappled lightDLI and PPFD in Plantistry
Expects a seasonal restGrows on rock (lithophyte)

Where it grows wild

Damp, shady cracks in north-facing limestone cliffs on the summit pinnacle and escarpments of Samhah's central plateau, growing with Adiantum balfourii. The cliffs catch rain and mist, mainly from the north-east monsoon, which makes them a unique moist habitat on an otherwise arid island. Its area of occupancy is under 10 km².

600–700 m according to Wikipedia; GBIF records give 600–770 m.

Samhah, Socotra Archipelago, Yemen

🔒 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

Grow Begonia samhaensis? Add it to a free garden and its full profile opens. Pro opens all 38,374 profiles in the library, plants and fungi.

Start free Sign in

More Begonia

Begonia bowerae Begonia glandulosa Begonia maculata Begonia carrieae Begonia darthvaderiana Begonia masoniana Begonia imperialis Begonia mazae Begonia dregei Begonia lubbersii Begonia heracleifolia Begonia versicolor All 2315 →

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