Begonia Begonia Million Kisses Series

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Hard-care

ABOUT

The Begonia Million Kisses Series showcases an attractive trailing habit, perfect for hanging baskets and containers. The leaves are typically glossy, with a heart-shaped form and a striking green color that might exhibit some red or brown undertones. These leaves often have a puckered appearance that adds texture to their look. Flowers from this series are particularly abundant and standout with their vibrant hues. The blossoms are small to medium in size, and they are shaped like delicate cups or bells. These flowers come in a stunning array of colors, including shades of red, pink, orange, and white, providing a vivid and long-lasting display. Each cluster of blooms emerges prolifically, ensuring that the plant remains covered in a cascade of color throughout its blooming season. The blossoms' prolific nature and ongoing flushes give the plant a particularly lush appearance. The trailing stems hold the leaves and flowers and can spill over the edge of the container, lending a romantic and lush look to the plant's overall presentation. The combination of these features makes the Begonia Million Kisses Series a visually appealing addition to any ornamental garden display or as a standalone feature in hanging arrangements.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Synonyms
  Million Kisses Begonia, Trailing Begonia
- Common names
  Begonia 'Million Kisses Series'
Toxicity
- To humans
  Begonias, including the Million Kisses series, are not highly toxic to humans. However, they can cause irritation if ingested. The most common symptoms might include nausea, vomiting, and salivation. In some cases, handling the plant may result in skin irritation or allergic reactions due to the sap. It is generally recommended to wash hands after handling the plant and certainly to avoid ingesting any part of it.
- To pets
  Begonias, including the Million Kisses series, are considered mildly toxic to pets, such as cats and dogs. If ingested, they can cause symptoms such as oral irritation, burning and irritation of the mouth, tongue, and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. It is advisable to keep these plants out of reach of pets and to contact a veterinarian if you suspect your pet has ingested any part of the plant.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Varies
- Height
  1 foot (30 cm)
- Spread
  1 foot (30 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  10
- Native area
  Tropical South America

Benefits

General Benefits
- Continuous Blooming: This plant produces flowers throughout the growing season, providing constant color and interest.
- Low Maintenance: With minimal care requirements, it is an ideal choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.
- Humidity Tolerant: Adapts well to a range of humidity levels, making it suitable for various indoor and outdoor environments.
- Drought Resistant: Once established, it has a good level of drought tolerance, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Versatile Usage: Can be used in hanging baskets, containers, and as ground cover, offering flexibility in landscaping and garden design.
- Attracts Pollinators: Flowers attract bees and butterflies, promoting pollination and biodiversity in the garden.
- Wide Range of Colors: Available in a variety of colors, it allows for creative and vibrant garden color schemes.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Begonias can be used in dish gardens, which are miniature gardens within shallow dishes, adding a burst of color and variety with their unique foliage and flowers.
- Pressed Begonia flowers can be used in art projects such as bookmarks, handmade paper or resin jewelry, showcasing their shapes and colors when dried and preserved.
- The vibrant flowers of the Begonia Million Kisses series may be used as a natural dye for fabrics, yarn, or paper crafts, providing a hint of color from their petals.
- Begonia plants can add ornamental value to themed fairy gardens, their bright blooms creating an enchanting miniature landscape for imaginative play or decoration.
- The waxy leaves of Begonias can be used in a leaf casting process to create decorative concrete items like stepping stones or garden ornaments.
- When hosting a garden party, Begonias can be floated in water bowls as a decorative centerpiece, adding elegance and color to table settings.
- For educational purposes, Begonias can be used in botany classes to demonstrate plant propagation techniques such as stem cutting and leaf-cutting.
- Begonia flowers can be used in crafting potpourri, contributing a subtle fragrance and the vivid colors of their petals to the mix.
- Begonia Million Kisses can be incorporated into bridal bouquets and wedding decorations for a touch of natural beauty and vibrant color.
- During special occasions, Begonia petals can be sprinkled on tables or pathways as a natural confetti alternative, creating a colorful and eco-friendly decoration.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Begonia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Begonia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Caution: Begonias are often seen as a symbol of caution or warning due to the slight toxic nature of the plant. It suggests the need to tread carefully in new situations.
- Beware: Alongside caution, begonias can signify a sense of "beware" or alert to potential dangers or misunderstandings that may arise.
- Gratitude: A positive symbol associated with begonias is gratitude. Gifting these flowers can be a way of expressing thankfulness and appreciation.
- Individuality: The uniqueness of each Begonia Million Kisses plant stands for uniqueness and individuality, celebrating the differences in each person.
- Harmony: As it is easy to grow and care for Begonia Million Kisses in groups, they can also symbolize harmony and peaceful coexistence.

💧

Every 3-7 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

50%

Humidity

🪴

Every year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Begonias in the Million Kisses series should be watered regularly, maintaining a balance as they prefer evenly moist soil. During active growth, typically in spring and summer, water them a generous 1 to 1.5 gallons per week, depending on the size of the plant and the environmental conditions. In the cooler months of fall and winter, reduce watering to avoid waterlogging which can lead to root rot, maybe watering just half a gallon weekly. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings and water directly onto the soil to avoid wetting the foliage which can lead to fungal diseases.
Light
The Million Kisses Begonia thrives under bright, indirect light. Directly expose it to morning light if possible, but shield it from harsh afternoon sun which can scorch its leaves. A spot near an east-facing window that receives a few hours of morning light but is shaded later in the day would be ideal. If indoor lighting is not sufficient, supplement with grow lights to mimic these conditions.
Temperature
The Million Kisses Begonia prefers temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal growth. Avoid exposing the plant to temperatures below 50 degrees, as it can suffer damage from cold. The maximum temperature for healthy growth should not exceed 86 degrees, with the ideal range being within the 60s to mid-70s whenever possible.
Pruning
Regular pruning of the Million Kisses Begonia is essential to promote bushier growth and remove any dead or diseased foliage. Snip right above a leaf node to encourage branching, ideally doing this in the spring before the growth season begins. Periodic deadheading of spent flowers throughout the growing season can also stimulate new blooms. Major pruning is best done annually; however, light trimming can be performed whenever necessary to maintain the plant’s shape.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The best soil mix for Begonia Million Kisses (commonly referred to as begonia) is a well-draining, light potting mix with peat, perlite, and pine bark fines. The ideal soil pH for begonias is slightly acidic, ranging between 5.5 and 6.5.
Repotting
Begonia Million Kisses should be repotted every 1-2 years or when it becomes root-bound. Regular repotting helps replenish nutrients and maintain healthy growth for the begonia.
Humidity & Misting
Begonias thrive in high humidity environments; the ideal range for Begonia Million Kisses is between 50% and 60% humidity for optimal growth.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place begonias near bright, indirect light indoors and maintain humidity.
- Outdoor
  Shelter begonias from direct sunlight; ensure warm, humid conditions.
- Hardiness zone
  10-11 USDA
Life cycle
The Begonia Million Kisses Series, commonly known as Million Kisses Begonia, begins its life cycle as a seed or cutting, germinating or rooting in moist, well-draining soil with warmth and indirect light. Seedlings or rooted cuttings emerge, developing into young plants with characteristic foliage and the initiation of a rudimentary root system. As they grow, these plants enter the vegetative stage, producing lush, heart-shaped leaves and strengthening their root systems. The flowering stage follows, during which the plants display vibrant, abundant blooms that attract pollinators and often continue from spring until the first frost if conditions are favorable. After the flowering season, if seeds are produced, they are dispersed for propagation, though the Million Kisses series is predominantly propagated vegetatively through cuttings. As the temperatures drop or with the onset of drier conditions, the Begonia Million Kisses can enter dormancy, reducing growth and metabolic activity until the next favorable growth period begins.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- The Begonia Million Kisses Series, commonly known simply as the Million Kisses Begonia, is often propagated by cuttings. The most popular method involves taking stem cuttings, which can readily root and form new plants. To propagate by cuttings, one should select a healthy stem that is approximately 3 to 4 inches (about 7.5 to 10 cm) long, ensuring it has a few leaves. The bottom leaves are then removed, and the cutting is placed in water or a moist potting mix. In water, roots will usually appear within a few weeks, at which point the new plant can be transferred to soil. This method is best done in spring or early summer when the plants are actively growing and can recover quickly from being trimmed.