Begonia amphioxus
Begonia amphioxus Care Guide
Featured photobegonia-amphioxus.jpgBegonia amphioxus is a Bornean begonia with elongated, slightly twisted leaves marked with red spots over green. It is one of the more demanding begonias because of its high humidity requirement — it really needs a closed terrarium or grow tent to thrive. In ideal conditions it produces small white flowers and offsets readily for propagation.
Care facts at a glance
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- Keep the mix consistently lightly moist.
- Humidity
- 70–90 %
- Temperature
- 18–27 °C
- Soil
- Airy peat or coir mix with perlite and sphagnum.
- Toxicity
- Toxic if eaten in quantity due to calcium oxalates. (humans) · Toxic to cats and dogs per ASPCA Begonia listing. (pets)
- Origin
- Forests of Borneo.
- Mature size
- 20 to 30 cm tall.
Overview
Begonia amphioxus was described in the 1990s and remains a collector's plant rather than a mainstream houseplant. The red-spotted elongated leaves are species-typical.
Care Priorities
- Closed terrarium or grow tent.
- Steady warmth above 18 °C.
- Soft filtered light.
- Filtered water; do not let mix dry out completely.
Common Problems
Crispy edges are dry air outside the terrarium. Powdery mildew can occur if airflow is too low. Pale, washed-out spots are too little light.
Sources & further reading (3)
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-28
- botanical-garden — accessed 2026-04-28
- toxicity-database — accessed 2026-04-28
Frequently asked questions
Can I grow it outside a terrarium?
Almost never. Amphioxus crisps in normal living-room humidity within weeks.
Why are the leaves twisted?
The slight twist is species-typical. The leaves are also asymmetrical, which is normal for Begonia genus members.
Best terrarium size?
A 20 to 40 litre tank with bright filtered light works well. Avoid sealed tiny jars; the species needs air circulation too.
