Begonia Darthvaderiana: Care and Grow Guide for the Rare Plant

Did you know that the Begonia darthvaderiana plant of the Begoniaceae family is named after the famous Star Wars character Darth Vader?

It is because of its dark olive or black foliage that this Begonia genus plant got the name Darthvaderiana. It is grown as an indoor plant but can be grown outdoors in bright indirect light.

Our expert gardeners have provided the ultimate care guide for Begonia darthvaderiana.

What Is Begonia Darthvaderiana? Origin

Begonia darthvaderiana is a one-of-kind (and expensive) plant discovered in the rainforests of Borneo in 2014. Borneo is known for different species of Begonia.

The plant has near-black leaves and bears beautiful red flowers. It belongs to the Begoniaceae family.

Begonia Darthvaderiana grows on the floor of the rainforests below the trees. Its dark leaves enable it to live using the little sunlight that reaches the forest floor.

Darthvaderianas can reach a height of up to 2 feet.

Begonia Darthvaderiana Care

Begonia darthvaderiana can be a complex plant for beginner gardeners as it can be quite a challenge to keep it alive. It is very high-maintenance and quite expensive because it is a rare Begonia variety.

It grows well in a humid environment and is not an ideal choice for dry and arid areas.

There is a very high chance of Darthvaderiana dying when not provided with the best living conditions.

Soil Requirements

The Darth Vader Begonia loves loose and well-drained soil with a mix of sphagnum peat moss, perlite, and sand. If you can’t get your hands on sphagnum peat moss, you can use garden soil mixed with coco coir.

Coco coir, also like peat moss, helps in retaining moisture. But perlite is a must as it helps in keeping the soil very well-drained.

So the ideal soil mix would be a combination of these:

• Coarse sand/River sand
• Perlite (very important)
• Sphagnum peat moss

Light Requirements

Begonia darthvaderiana grows best in part to full shade. The light requirements of the Darth Vader plant are partial light, which means that any area receiving indirect light throughout the day works fine. Avoid placing the plant in direct sunlight as it can damage the begonia darthvaderiana leaves by burning them.

You can keep the plant in a North or East-facing balcony or window, but never keep it near a South or West facing window. If you have no natural light coming into your room, you can also save them under grow lights.

Water Requirements

Begonia darthvaderiana prefers moisture in the soil all the time but not wet and soggy soil. Standing water can lead to root rot in the plant, and once root rot happens, it is almost impossible to get the plant back on track.

Begonia darthvaderiana is also prone to fungi, so avoid over-watering at all costs. Bottom watering works well in such cases as it prevents over-watering and ensures that water reaches all plant roots.

Temperature and Humidity

Begonia grows the best in the temperature range of 68 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Extreme temperature can harm the plant’s health. When the temperature falls below 59 degrees Farenheit, shift your plant to a covered area, preferably inside.

Since Begonia darthvaderiana can’t tolerate frost, it goes dormant in winters, and new shoots develop in Spring. Also, any temperature above 80 degrees Farenheit can lead to stunted growth, and the leaves will start to melt.

Begonia darthvaderiana loves humidity. If you live in a dry area, maintain humidity by misting. Keep humidity level high around the plant by either misting it or placing a humidifier near the plant. While misting, ensure that the water doesn’t drop on the leaves.

Its natural habitat is a tropical rainforest, so try and maintain the conditions as close as possible to a rainforest.

To maintain humidity, you can also use pebble trays with water. All you have to do is take a tray, place some pebbles all over the tray, keep your pot on the tray and fill it with water. As the water will evaporate, Begonia darthvaderiana will absorb all the moisture.

Fertilizer Requirements

Fertilizing once a month or so works fine with Begonia darthvaderiana. Choose any nitrogen-rich, organic, liquid fertilizer and mix it with water. Do not fertilize in winters because it is already too vulnerable during that time. Spring is the best season to fertilize the Darth Vader plant.

Best Time to Repot

Repot Begonia darthvaderiana when the plant is root bound, it could be every year. If you notice the roots coming out from the bottom of the pot, it is time to repot. Otherwise, the plant will undergo stress, and the growth will be stunted.

Propagation

Propagating Begonia darthvaderiana can be done in three ways – root division, stem cuttings, and leaf cuttings.

1. Root Division

If you have a Begonia darthvaderiana that has filled the pot and there is no more space for it to grow, it is time to divide your plant.

Dividing the plant into two or more will lead to better growth. Take the plant out of the pot, gently untangle the roots, and separate them so that you can plant in separate pots.

2. Stem Cuttings

Choose a stem, make a cut below the node, take the cutting and bury it in the soil mix. You can also dip the cutting in a rooting hormone(optional). Within a few days, roots will develop. You can also keep the cutting in water and see the roots develop over time. Once the roots are about 2 inches long, you can plant the cutting in soil. It is faster than leaf cuttings propagation.

3. Leaf Cuttings

Propagation from leaves is also possible. If you notice the leaves of the plant melting, do not lose hope and take a healthy leaf and propagate it. Choose a healthy-looking leaf, dip it in a rooting hormone, and bury it in the soil. Within five weeks, roots will develop.

Common Problems

– Fungi and root rot

Begonia darthvaderiana is prone to fungi and root rot. It can be difficult to get rid of the fungus entirely once it has taken over the plant. Thus, we recommended avoiding over-watering and avoid touching the leaves with bare hands too often.

– Pests and insects

Begonia darthvaderiana can also be infested with pests and insects like spider mites.

The best and most effective way of getting rid of these pests is by spraying neem oil on the leaves and wiping it off gently using a soft cloth/tissue.

– Yellowing of leaves

Another common problem faced by Begonia darthvaderiana is its leaves turning yellow. Leaves turning yellow is often a sign of overwatering. Over-watering blocks oxygen from reaching the roots, which ultimately leads to root rot.

To avoid over-watering your plant, always stick your finger inside the soil. If it comes out dry, it is time to water. You can also use the bottom watering method to avoid over-watering.

– Melting leaves

Whenever the temperature rises above 80-82 degrees Fahrenheit, the leaves of Begonia darthvaderiana start to melt away. If you notice this happening to your plant, move it to a more shaded and cooler area, which does not receive too much hot air.

– White spots on leaves

Begonia darthvaderiana is susceptible to its leaves getting burnt if kept in a sunny spot. So, before the leaves start to melt, you will notice white spots on the leaves. This is an indication that it is getting too warm for the plant. It is time to move it to a cooler spot before the leaves completely melt away.

Conclusion

With its beautiful black foliage, Begonia darthvaderiana can gather anyone’s attention.

Now that we have covered a lot of ground on the Darth Vader plant, let’s recap everything we have learned so far:

• Begonia darthvaderiana does not like major changes in its environment
• The temperature should range between 68-75 degrees Fahrenheit
• It does not like too much aeration, which is why it is a great choice for stable environments such as terrariums
• Use a loose soil mix to maintain proper drainage for the plant
• Keep Begonia darthvaderiana in partial shade with bright indirect light coming in
• Avoid over-watering the plant as it will lead to root rot
• Repot the plant when it is root bound once a year

Begonia darthvaderiana can be challenging to grow, but with these tips in mind, we are sure that you will ace growing this unique plant.