There was a spiky-leaved plant in the background of yesterday’s post pictures. It’s a begonia – a variety called ‘ferox’. Here are some better pictures of it:
The spikes aren’t really spiky. They’re kind of hairy. It’s a fussy variety of begonia, but I seem to have found a spot it’s okay with. It gets bright, indirect light, and it’s surrounded by other plants, so the humidity is a little higher than other places in my house.
It’s down to one leaf, but the rhizome looks heathy, and there’s a tiny new leaf growing. I think it’s just a winter slow-down, so it should be ok.
That is one scary-looking plant. I’m sure it’s just misunderstood.
Thanks for the explanation. I’ve never seen a plant like that.
Do most of your plants go dormant at some point during the year, or are they strong enough to go year-round?
Kristi, my houseplants are sort of the same year-round, except for the ones that bloom. The bloomers definitely have seasons. Outside, most things stay the same through the winter. My only full-dormant plants outside are amaryllis, tuberous begonias, and oxalis (shamrocks). I’m still learning though. I think cyclamens are really pretty, but they have a summer dormancy, and I’m not sure if they would go perennial here, or if I would have to treat them as annuals.