How to Propagate Angel Wing Begonia Plants

Propagating Angel Wing Begonias is an easy, rewarding way to grow more of these beautiful plants.

The most common methods include rooting stem cuttings in water or soil. Snip a healthy stem, place it in soil or water until it forms roots, and then transplant it to well-draining soil.

If you arrived here looking for general information on caring for your angel wing Begonia, hop over to the Begonia maculata care article instead.

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Fix a Leggy Begonia Plant

The culprit of tall and leggy angel wing begonias is etiolation, a term used to describe a plant when it gets leggy from too little light. The plant will stretch itself out toward the light, creating long stems with lots of space in between each leaf.

Another common cause of leggy begonias is old age. Older plants can grow quite tall and drop lower leaves over time.

Pinching and pruning help to produce a fuller plant. Removing growing tips and taking cuttings, will signal the plant to branch out and grow new stems.

How to Prune Angel Wing Begonia

Use sharp, clean cutting shears to gently remove tall, leggy stems. Cut back any crowded shoots to the desired length.

Make each cut just above a leaf node, your plant will grow back right from that point.

Begonias can handle quite a cut, but avoid pruning too much at once. Do not remove more than 2/3 of your plant’s growth. Plants need their leaves to grow and thrive.  

After pruning, move your plant to a brighter location – the more light it receives, the less leggy it will be. Consider getting a grow light if your home doesn’t receive enough natural light.   

Pinching your Begonia

Pinch the growing tips throughout the growing season in spring and summer.

Pinching is a form of pruning where you remove or pinch, the growing tips with the newly unfurled leaves to encourage the plant to branch out.

Your plant will grow two new stems from where you pinched it. It will also signal the plant to grow new stems at the base and along the stem.

How to Propagate Angel Wing Begonias

The easiest way to propagate angel wing begonias is by taking stem cuttings and rooting those in water or soil.

Angel wing Begonia cuttings root quick and easy. You can start new plants or plant them in with the parent plant to make it even fuller.

Propagation may be done at any time of year but is best done during the active growing period in spring or early summer, as in winter growth slows down. The warmer weather and longer daylight will help encourage new growth. 

Angel Wing Begonia Propagation in Water

Propagating Begonia stem cuttings in water is simple and takes only a few steps. 

• Take a cutting and remove the leaves from the lower portion of the stem. 
• Place the cutting in a glass or jar with just enough water to cover the bottom part.   
• Keep it in bright, indirect light.  
• Change the water regularly to prevent algae from building up.
• Wait for roots to appear. You can pot them up when the roots are 1-2 inches long.

Read the complete guide on how to Water Propagate Plants if you want to learn even more about growing plant cuttings in water. 

Propagation in Soil

I love the process of water rooting, but you can also plant your cuttings directly in the soil.

• Again, take a cutting and remove the bottom leaves.  
• Dip the ends in rooting hormone. This helps the roots to grow faster and stronger and prevents fungus growth. If you don’t have any, you can skip it. The process just might take a little longer. 
• Plant the cutting in the potting soil, covering the part where you have removed the bottom leaves. 
• Place the cuttings in bright, indirect light.
• Water very sparingly until you see new growth. At that time, continue with regular care. 

Want to learn more about plant propagation? Read the complete guide explaining the 6 different ways to propagate your plants.