Begonia dregei 'Partita'
A Distinctive Plant for Beginners and Collectors
INFORMATION
John E. McDonald
8/28/20251 min read
Begonia dregei ‘Partita’
Begonia dregei ‘Partita’, also referred to as the Maple-Leaf Begonia, Wild Begonia, or Partita Begonia, comes is endemic tof South Africa’s Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. In its native habitat, it grows on mossy cliffs, rocky ledges, and steep banks where it endures summer rainfall and winter dryness.
Discovered and cultivated since 1961, this caudiciform [swollen stemmed or caudex] begonia quickly attracted collectors because of its swollen base, or caudex, which allows it to store water for use during dry spells, gives it a natural tree-like form.
Begonia ‘Partita’ is popular in both specialist collections, beginner plant enthusiasts and the bonsai community. It is easy to prune, grows quickly and is easily propagated by cuttings. It flowers for three out of four seasons [spring, summer and fall]. With its dense, small, sharply lobed leaves and graceful white flowers that appear from spring through fall, this low-maintenance plant combines beauty with resilience and ease of care. Its dual nature—both delicate in foliage and rugged in its swollen stem (caudex), makes it a symbol of strength and beauty as a miniature bonsai tree or as a common house plant.
