Begonia (Begonia 'Martha Stewart')
The striking Begonia 'Martha Stewart' offers colorful, spiral foliage and pink winter blooms, ideal for shade gardens in Zones 10-11.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Begonia ‘Martha Stewart’ is a visually stunning selection from the diverse Begonia genus, prized for its ornamental foliage as much as its blooms. This cultivar is a rhizomatous begonia, meaning it carries its growth habit low to the ground via thickened stems near the soil surface, making it excellent for compact landscaping. Gardeners value this Begonia for its unique, colorful leaves that transition from chartreuse to bronzy-orange, providing year-round interest.
This herbaceous perennial thrives in soft light conditions and is best suited for warmer climates, hardy only in USDA Zones 10 through 11. While it bears showy pink flowers seasonally, the primary appeal of Begonia ‘Martha Stewart’ lies in its dense, mounding structure and vibrant leaf coloring. It serves well as a bedding plant outside or as a reliable houseplant indoors in cooler regions, offering flexible use across various garden designs.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Begoniaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 10-11
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.5-0.75 ft
- Spread: 0.75-1 ft
- Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer
- Bloom Description: Pink
- Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
When planting Begonia ‘Martha Stewart’, select a location offering bright, indirect light; avoid intense midday sun which can scorch the leaves. These plants require well-drained, humusy soil to perform optimally. Planting should occur after all danger of frost has passed if using them as annuals, though in Zones 10-11, they can be treated as perennials. Ensure planting beds have excellent drainage, as wet or soggy soil—especially when cold—is a fast track to root and stem rots.
Watering should be managed carefully; maintain medium moisture levels while the Begonia is actively growing. When growth slows, such as during winter months indoors, reduce watering frequency significantly to prevent oversaturation. While this Begonia is labeled medium maintenance, attention to soil moisture is crucial for its success.
Many rhizomatous types, including Begonia ‘Martha Stewart’, transition beautifully to indoor life when the weather turns cold outside their hardiness range. When grown as houseplants, ensure air circulation is good to mitigate common fungal issues common to the Begonia genus.
Landscape Uses
The compact size and mounding habit make Begonia ‘Martha Stewart’ an excellent choice for edging borders or lining walkways where its foliage can be easily admired. Given its shade tolerance, it integrates perfectly beneath taller shrubs or trees where many flowering plants struggle. It is highly recommended for use in containers, window boxes, and hanging baskets, offering a dense splash of color throughout the growing season.
If you are aiming for mass planting, use this Begonia to create low-growing drifts within shady beds. Pair it with plants that share similar light and moisture needs, such as hostas, ferns, or coleus, to create a rich tapestry of textures in your partial shade garden.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Begonia is a genus of about 1,300 species of annuals, perennials, shrubs and climbers. Most have fleshy stems. Some produce underground tubers or rhizomes. They are grown for their showy flower or colorful leaves; some for both. Begonias can be divided into 7 informal groups by growth habit: cane-like, rex-cultorum, rhizomatous, semperflorens, tuberous, trailing or scandent, thick-stemmed and shrub-like. Rhizomatous begonias feature a compact, mounding habit with the foliage emerging from thickened rhizomes that grow along the soil surface. The leaves can be quite showy and come in numerous colors, shapes, and textures. The flowers are typically white or pink and held in airy clusters above the foliage.Genus name honors Michael Begon (1638-1710), Governor of French Canada.
‘Martha Stewart’ is a hybrid rhizomatous begonia selection that features colorful, spiral foliage and a compact size. This cultivar resulted from a cross between Begonia ‘Baby Dress’ and B. ‘Desert Dream’. The leaves emerge chartreuse before deepening to bronzy-orange with darker streaks along the slightly ruffled margins. Airy clusters of small, pink flowers appear in winter and are held above the foliage. Mature plants will reach up to 8” tall and 12” wide while taking on a dense, mounding habit.
Tolerances
Potential Problems
Diseases are a primary concern for Begonia care, particularly when humidity is high or air circulation is poor. This plant is susceptible to bacterial leaf spot, powdery mildew, botrytis, and stem rot if kept consistently wet. To manage these issues on your Begonia ‘Martha Stewart’, practice careful overhead watering and ensure adequate spacing between plants for airflow. Monitor regularly for common pests like mealybugs and thrips, treating immediately upon first sighting to prevent infestation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Begonia ‘Martha Stewart’ suitable for?
This Begonia is best suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 10 through 11 for reliable outdoor perennial growth.
How large does Begonia ‘Martha Stewart’ grow?
This compact plant typically matures to a height between 0.5 and 0.75 feet tall, spreading 0.75 to 1 foot wide.
What sun exposure does Begonia ‘Martha Stewart’ need?
Begonia requires part shade to full shade, thriving best in bright light that is filtered, not direct midday sun.
When does Begonia ‘Martha Stewart’ bloom?
This plant is considered a seasonal bloomer, offering clusters of small, pink flowers, often appearing in the winter months.
Conclusion
The Begonia ‘Martha Stewart’ provides exceptional visual impact in shaded garden spaces due to its distinctly colored, spiral foliage and low-maintenance rhizomatous habit. Whether used for edging beds or kept as a houseplant in low light, this Begonia adds dependable texture and color. Before planting, confirm that your microclimate aligns with USDA Zones 10-11, or plan ahead to bring your Begonia indoors for winter protection.
Companion Planting for Shady Spots
Successful companion planting relies on matching cultural requirements, which for Begonia ‘Martha Stewart’ means shade tolerance and consistent moisture. Consider pairing this Begonia with other shade-loving perennials like Hosta, especially varieties with contrasting solid green or blue foliage, to make the bronze tones of the Begonia pop. Ferns, such as Japanese Painted Ferns or Lady Ferns, offer delicate, airy texture that complements the Begonia’s denser mound beautifully. For seasonal color variation, shade-loving annuals like Impatiens or Torenia (Wishbone Flower) work well under the same dappled light conditions.
Designing with Foliage in the Shade Garden
Focusing on foliage texture and leaf color is key when designing with plants like Begonia ‘Martha Stewart’. Because this Begonia offers medium-toned oranges and bronzes, utilize highly variegated or deep purple/black-leafed plants nearby to create contrast and depth in dark corners. Variegated Heuchera (Coral Bells) hybrids can offer similar leaf shapes but different colors, maintaining visual interest when the Begonia is not in bloom. For cascading elements in containers, use trailing groundcovers that don’t mind moisture, such as Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’) sparingly, as its bright yellow contrasts nicely with the deeper tones of the Begonia ‘Martha Stewart’.
