Angel wing begonia

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The angel wing begonia is a hybrid begonia which resulted from a cross between Begonia aconitifolia and B. coccinea. The hybridization was made by California plant breeder Eva Kenworthy Gray in 1926.

The plant gets its name from the shape and colors of its leaves. Usually, angel wing begonias grow upward on one stem. They flower, like most other begonias, and produce blooms that range in colors from red to white. The leaves grow with a wide range of colors also. The top of the leaves is often a dark green with metallic silver specks. The underside is a deep red.

Often, these plants are used as year-round houseplants. They are easy to grow for a gardener that understands them.

Since they are native to the tropics, the ideal growing conditions include high humidity, good circulation of the air around the plant, a lot of water, and a lot of light. The more light, the more brilliant the color of the leaves.