Begonia 'Tessera-umbra' care

Collectors know Begonia 'Tessera-umbra' for its steady pace; it keeps a compact rosette even in imperfect corners.

Position it in bright light with no direct midday sun and rotate the pot monthly for even growth. It prefers to be watered when the top third of the mix is dry, and it will forgive a missed week far better than a doubled one.

Keep it at a pebble tray in heated rooms; pot it in rich, moisture-retentive mix and refresh the top layer each spring. New leaves emerge paler and darken over their first fortnight.