Troubleshooting
Ornate Begonia problems — and how to fix them
Ornate Begonia (Begonia decora) 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
Crispy brown margins are almost always caused by low humidity or draughts; move the plant away from air vents and heating sources and raise ambient humidity above 60%.
Fungus gnats
Larvae feed on fine roots in moist compost; allow the surface to dry slightly between waterings and apply a biological nematode drench (Steinernema feltiae) or use yellow sticky traps to break the adult cycle.
Prevent ornate begonia problems before they start
Most ornate begonia issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Ornate Begonia problems — FAQ
Why is my ornate begonia leaf edge browning?
Crispy brown margins are almost always caused by low humidity or draughts; move the plant away from air vents and heating sources and raise ambient humidity above 60%.
Why is my ornate begonia fungus gnats?
Larvae feed on fine roots in moist compost; allow the surface to dry slightly between waterings and apply a biological nematode drench (Steinernema feltiae) or use yellow sticky traps to break the adult cycle.