Troubleshooting
Tiger Kitten Begonia problems — and how to fix them
Tiger Kitten Begonia (Begonia 'Tiger Kitten') 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.
Crown rot
The compact rosette habit of eyelash begonias makes the crown particularly prone to rotting if water pools at the centre; water around the perimeter of the pot or use bottom-watering exclusively.
Fungus gnats
Small, persistently moist potting mix is attractive to fungus gnat larvae that damage fine roots; allow the soil surface to dry between waterings and use yellow sticky traps to monitor adult populations.
Prevent tiger kitten begonia problems before they start
Most tiger kitten begonia issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Tiger Kitten Begonia problems — FAQ
Why is my tiger kitten begonia crown rot?
The compact rosette habit of eyelash begonias makes the crown particularly prone to rotting if water pools at the centre; water around the perimeter of the pot or use bottom-watering exclusively.
Why is my tiger kitten begonia fungus gnats?
Small, persistently moist potting mix is attractive to fungus gnat larvae that damage fine roots; allow the soil surface to dry between waterings and use yellow sticky traps to monitor adult populations.