Plant of the Week: Begonia

Described as the hottest houseplant of 2018, it’s no wonder begonias are having a bit of a moment. Indoor begonias have it all: they make fabulously exotic houseplants with lush, velvety, lavishly marked foliage. The largest (varieties like Begonia rex) grow leaves as big as dinner plates curving sculpturally around the stem and elegantly patterned in colours from palest silver through pink, purple and near-black. Despite their tropical looks they are easy-going houseplants: give them a bright spot, but out of full sun, and keep damp through summer, watering from the base and adding a few drops of liquid feed every couple of weeks.