In their native habitat, eyelash begonias thrive on the forest floor with filtered light. It is a bushy, stemless plant growing from a creeping rhizome. The name "eyelash" refers to the black edging of the leaves with stiff hairs on the edges and leaf stalk.

Eyelash begonias are relatively easy to grow when provided with the right conditions.

Houseplant care

Dottie's eyelash is a favorite for houseplants because of the colors of the leaves and its rapid growth. A bushier and more attractive plant can be maintained by pinching tips and pruning the outer stems. In addition, the parts removed can easily be used to start new plantings. Though the eyelash begonia is grown for its foliage, Dottie's provides a surprise of pink and white blooms in spring.

• Preferred household settings

As in the natural setting, the eyelash begonia prefers high humidity and indirect sunlight. It thrives best in filtered light, but in winter can take some direct sun. Comfortable room temperatures are best; it does better with as much fresh air as possible.

Covered patios or porches are ideal, but plants need to be protected from extremely hot weather in summer and low temperatures in winter. Plants require humidity to flourish. Usually this is not a problem in our area, but in hot, dry summers, you may need to provide humidity with saucers of water below or around the plants to provide evaporation. Do not mist the leaves.

• Watering patterns

Because eyelash begonias are able to store large amounts of moisture in their thickened stems, you water them less frequently than most potted plants. Avoid getting leaves wet when watering.

On hot, summer days, the plant may look limp and the first response may be to water. But avoid overwatering as the plant cannot tolerate wet soil. Apply liquid fertilizer according to directions every two weeks during growing season. In winter, water less frequently so that the top half of the mixture dries out.

In the garden care

Eyelash begonias can be grown outdoors in hanging baskets, pots or in the ground to form a ground cover as an annual or tender perennial.

• Preferred outdoor conditions

Given adequate light with no direct sun, they will grow well. The plants prefer very well-drained, rich soil that is slightly acidic. Adding peat moss to the potting mixture or soil will be helpful. If you plan to plant under trees in the ground, be certain to amend the soil at least 8 inches down or raise the bed. Humidity and good drainage are necessary for optimum growth.

• Watering patterns

Water deeply and then allow to dry. All begonias are succulent or semi-succulent plants, so they need less water than you might think. In the garden fertilize with a balanced water-soluble fertilizer every 3 to 4 weeks.

Propagation

Eyelash begonias are easy to propagate by these three methods: from growing tips, from rhizomes or from leaf cuttings. Details on specific methods can sound complex, but I have grown new plants with a 3-inch plant tip as well as a 3-inch rhizome dipped in rooting powder and just stuck in a rooting mix for about 6 weeks. After little leaflets appear, pot in a good mixture with some added peat moss and treat normally.

Problems

Eyelash begonias can develop mildew if the leaves get wet. Avoid overhead spraying. The only pest that has been a problem are snails. Use a snail bait around the plant.

Companion plants

Eyelash begonias can be planted with any other plant that has the same light and water requirements, filtered light and drier soil.

By combining other types of begonias with contrasting and complementing leaf shapes, patterns and coloring, like rex begonias, trailing begonias, angel leaf and fancy leaf, you can make a stunning arrangement in one pot. By combining pots of complementing plants that have the same light requirements but require more moist soil, such as impatiens, ferns, coleus and caladiums arranged in staggering heights, you can bring attention to the corner of a porch, patio or sunroom.

Add Dottie's eyelash begonias to your collection of potted and hanging plants to add interesting shapes and colors with a minimum of care. Buy and plant your first one in the right conditions. Your friends will be begging for cuttings and/or rhizomes.