Troubleshooting
Crown Begonia problems — and how to fix them
Crown Begonia (Begonia diadema) is generally low-drama, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Leaf edge browning and crisping
The palmate leaf tips and lobes brown and crisp when air humidity drops below 50% or the plant is placed near a heat source or air vent; relocate and raise humidity to correct this.
Rhizome rot
Overwatering or a dense, poorly draining compost causes the surface rhizome to rot; inspect the rhizome at soil level regularly and remove any soft, brown sections with a clean blade before repotting into fresh dry compost.
Prevent crown begonia problems before they start
Most crown begonia issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Crown Begonia problems — FAQ
Why is my crown begonia leaf edge browning and crisping?
The palmate leaf tips and lobes brown and crisp when air humidity drops below 50% or the plant is placed near a heat source or air vent; relocate and raise humidity to correct this.
Why is my crown begonia rhizome rot?
Overwatering or a dense, poorly draining compost causes the surface rhizome to rot; inspect the rhizome at soil level regularly and remove any soft, brown sections with a clean blade before repotting into fresh dry compost.