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Species library › Begonia › Begonia ulmifolia
Begonias Well documented

Begonia ulmifolia

Elm-leaf begonia

The elm-leaf begonia is an upright, shrubby, hairy-leaved Begonia from Trinidad, Venezuela, the Guianas and eastern Brazil. It is naturalised on Indian Ocean islands. It grows in seasonal forest, on rocks and in disturbed ground from near sea level to about 1,000 m. It is tougher and more sun- and heat-tolerant than most begonias, and is even used on green roofs in hot, humid climates.

At home, aim for
Day Warm-growingTargets 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 in the ground

Where it grows wild

A herb about 40 cm to 1 m tall. It grows at the edges of seasonal semi-deciduous forest, on rock outcrops, and in disturbed and cultivated ground. Its leaves are dark green above and wine-red beneath.

GBIF records run from near sea level, for example Iporanga in São Paulo at 90 m and Trinidad, to 985 m at Novo Cruzeiro in Minas Gerais. Most are below about 300 m.

Trinidad-TobagoVenezuelaGuyanaSurinameFrench GuianaBrazil NortheastBrazil Southeast

🔒 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.