How to Grow Begonia 'Paul Lowe'
Begonia 'Paul Lowe'
Begonia × 'Paul Lowe'
flowerBegonia 'Paul Lowe' is a compact, shade-loving hybrid begonia prized for its delicate pink flowers and attractive foliage. It thrives as an indoor houseplant or in shaded outdoor garden beds, offering continuous blooms throughout the growing season. This begonia is relatively easy to care for and works well in containers or as a groundcover in shaded areas.
When should you plant Begonia 'Paul Lowe' in your zone?
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Example Begonia 'Paul Lowe' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Begonia 'Paul Lowe'
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Begonia 'Paul Lowe' blooms
Around May 17≈ 30 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Begonia 'Paul Lowe' dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 10-11; elsewhere, grow as a houseplant or annual
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Seedling
3-4 weeksTiny seedlings emerge with cotyledons; very delicate and slow-growing initially
Maintain high humidity (60-70%), provide bright indirect light, keep soil moist but not soggy, avoid direct air current; thin seedlings carefully
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksCompact plant develops multiple stems and heart-shaped leaves with reddish undersides; foliage becomes more robust
Ensure bright indirect light, maintain consistent moisture, provide humidity via misting or pebble trays, pinch stem tips to encourage bushiness
Flowering
8-12 weeks or longerDelicate pink flowers appear in small clusters above foliage; blooming is prolific in good conditions
Maintain bright indirect light and consistent moisture, avoid overwatering to prevent flower drop, provide humidity, remove spent flowers to encourage more blooms, feed with balanced or high-phosphorus fertilizer
Continuous Bloom
Ongoing with proper carePlant maintains steady flower production with proper care; foliage remains attractive and compact
Continue fertilizing every 2-3 weeks at half strength, monitor for pests, maintain humidity, prune leggy growth, deadhead spent blooms regularly
Rest/Dormancy
2-3 months in winterPlant may slow growth and blooming in winter months or low-light conditions
Reduce watering and fertilizing, maintain cooler temperatures (60-65°F), provide as much light as available, prune back leggy stems in late winter
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 7-10 days; increase air circulation; use yellow sticky traps; isolate infected plants
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Improve air circulation, reduce humidity slightly, spray with sulfur fungicide or potassium bicarbonate; remove affected leaves; ensure good spacing
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Mist foliage regularly, increase humidity, spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; use miticide if severe; isolate plant
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Remove with cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol, spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 7-10 days, isolate infected plants
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Reduce humidity, improve air circulation, remove affected foliage and flowers, avoid overhead watering, apply fungicide if severe
Uses
Indoor houseplant and container gardening
HouseholdBegonia 'Paul Lowe' is an excellent choice for indoor plant collections, windowsills, and container gardens where it provides continuous delicate pink blooms. Its compact size and shade tolerance make it perfect for offices, apartments, and low-light interior spaces. [source]
Shade garden accent
HouseholdIn zones 10-11 with outdoor gardening, this begonia brightens shaded garden beds and borders that receive dappled light. It works beautifully as a groundcover or massed planting in woodland-style gardens. [source]
Cut flower arrangements
CraftThe delicate pink flowers are suitable for small, delicate floral arrangements and can add a subtle charm to mixed bouquets. They have moderate vase life and should be changed into fresh water regularly. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeThe small pink flowers attract pollinators including bees and small insects, making this plant beneficial for supporting local pollinator populations in garden settings. [source]
Harvest Tips
Begonia 'Paul Lowe' is an ornamental flower plant, not typically harvested. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage continued blooming. Pinch back stems periodically to maintain compact, bushy shape. For propagation, take 2-3 inch stem cuttings from healthy growth and root in moist perlite or water.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Begonia 'Paul Lowe' was named after Paul Lowe, a renowned begonia breeder and hybridizer who developed many popular begonia cultivars.
- 🌱 Begonias are technically one of the largest plant families, with over 2,000 species native mainly to tropical and subtropical regions of South America, Africa, and Asia.
- 🌱 Unlike many begonias, this cultivar is reliably compact and floriferous, making it more forgiving than some other begonia hybrids for home gardeners.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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