Troubleshooting
Mistletoe Begonia problems — and how to fix them
Mistletoe Begonia (Begonia loranthoides) 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.
Stem dieback from base upwards
Trailing begonias with long woody stems are prone to basal dieback, especially if waterlogged; use a very open epiphytic mix and allow moderate drying between waterings.
Spider mites
Low humidity encourages spider mite infestations on the undersides of the fleshy leaves; maintain humidity above 50% and treat early infestations by wiping leaves with a damp cloth, escalating to a suitable miticide if needed.
Prevent mistletoe begonia problems before they start
Most mistletoe begonia issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Mistletoe Begonia problems — FAQ
Why is my mistletoe begonia stem dieback from base upwards?
Trailing begonias with long woody stems are prone to basal dieback, especially if waterlogged; use a very open epiphytic mix and allow moderate drying between waterings.
Why is my mistletoe begonia spider mites?
Low humidity encourages spider mite infestations on the undersides of the fleshy leaves; maintain humidity above 50% and treat early infestations by wiping leaves with a damp cloth, escalating to a suitable miticide if needed.