---
title: "Hi Begonia friends!! Was hoping all y’all could offer some advice for…"
description: "Hi Begonia friends!! Was hoping all y’all could offer some advice for a newbie. My mum was just gifted a cutting of what we think is a polka dot, but the…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/E0XplorCSjGLEBS-wt3jlg/ugxKSXiNpjvcAzKEKzTa3h"
community: "Begonia Buddies"
author: "Snowstorm"
published: "2026-03-16T18:46:45.240399Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/kbxreZo9tY3RlsyTziQUu7yH2oqcyZEbj4wNRx6BGuU/ScLk4cPJQXuGnewvBpEZrw.webp?size=large"
---

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# Hi Begonia friends!! Was hoping all y’all could offer some advice for…

_Posted by Snowstorm on 2026-03-16_

Hi Begonia friends!! Was hoping all y’all could offer some advice for a newbie. My mum was just gifted a cutting of what we think is a polka dot, but the leaves are a lovely red so not 100% sure on Planta’s identification.

Anywho my mum’s more of an outdoor gardener feather than a houseplant keeper (and an Amazing gardener at that!) she was wondering if y’all had some tips for her to keep this beauty happy and healthy. She was also wondering if taking her new begonia outdoors in the summer would be ok for it. I’m more of a zz/pothos kinda houseplant keeper so I’m not sure what to advise. She’s in zone 3a or b in northern Ontario. So summers can get +25° to +30° in the summer with decent humidity depending on the year. She’s got a wide range of sun locations (shade/partly sunny/full sun) and she’s not thinking of planting in the actual garden, just to take the pot outside.

She’s going to repot it today in soil, so was also wondering if yall had any tips on how to avoid transplant shock.

Thanks so much!!!

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/kbxreZo9tY3RlsyTziQUu7yH2oqcyZEbj4wNRx6BGuU/ScLk4cPJQXuGnewvBpEZrw.webp?size=large)

## 8 comments

### Andi commented on 2026-03-16

I can’t speak on growing outdoors since my begonias are kept in the house.  
Mine do well with in self watering pot with chunky soil.  
If you’re concerned about transplant shock, these also do well in semi-hydro set up’s.

#### Snowstorm replied on 2026-03-16

Excellent advice super helpful! Thank you so much!

How do you keep the humidity up for yours? I read they need high humidity and that some people use a cloach to cover them.

### NashvilleNDP commented on 2026-03-16

I have had a cutting of polka dot in water for almost 2 years. She does great in north facing window. Change the water once a month (or two lol) and mist occasionally

#### Snowstorm replied on 2026-03-17

Oh wow! So maybe no transplant needed!? I’ll let my mum know thanks!!!

#### NashvilleNDP replied on 2026-03-17

She’s pretty happy in water. Probably won’t get as much growth as if it was in soil but I prefer lower maintenance. The less watering the better :)

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/tmHJEeHrQc835Uay5uOoKluKv5Aq2yhELfDyFoCMv2w/j0cQkcTnTEWDm5CJNW2fLg.webp?size=large)

#### Snowstorm replied on 2026-03-17

How beautiful she is!!! 😍😍😍 I hear you on the low maintenance!! That’s why i mostly like pothoses and zz’s they lee the ultimate low maintenance!

### Christina commented on 2026-03-16

Beautiful- polka dot maculata. I have one. She just opened a new leaf. I keep three begonias together on a larger pebble tray to up the humidity as well as they have a mini desk humidifer under their own grow light. They seem pretty happy. I know some people slowly move them outside for the summer if they have the right weather and environment. Just need some shade feom intense afteroon sun to prevent scorch.

#### Snowstorm replied on 2026-03-17

Thank you! She’s making me want a begonia now she’s so pretty! (But I’m totally not skilled enough yet!) she’s got lots of places that get shade and has a screened in sun room so lots of places to gradually move her out into. I’ll def let mum know about a pebble tray and a mini humidifier. I know she doesn’t have a grow light but her front room usually gets full bright sun that she has a few happy cactuses in.

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