Eyelash Begonia Growing Frenzy

First, let me say that I am so glad I found Dave's Garden. The information I have viewed throughout your site is amazing and I am happy to be a new member.

A friend of mine gave me three leaves from one of her plants that I had admired. She didn't know what type of plant it was but I thought it was gorgeous. I planted the three leaves and started some research to find out what type of plant is was. I think it is an Eyelash Begonia?

From those initial three leaves, my plant has been on a growing frenzy and has lately been growing outside her pot. As I am relatively new to houseplants, I'm wondering what I should do. Should I move her to a larger pot? She seems happy and it amazes me how she just keeps on growing.

Any advice will be most welcome and appreciated. Thank you so much.

Begonias are one of those wonderful plants that reproduce in many ways, one of which is by leaf.

You can move her to a slightly larger pot and as it gets cooler, bring her indoors by a nice window. I would put her pot on a dish with stones/large gravel and put some water in the bottom. Especially if your house is dry during the heating season, if you cannot keep that dish with water, spritz her with a fine mist a couple of times a week. You may otherwise see the edges become dry, which is one of your best hints.

When I move plants such as this to a larger container, I try not to disturb the roots but to put in some soil, drop the plant and add soil to the sides. Less trauma for each of you. As long as you keep her watered, she will be pretty tolerant of temperature and light changes. If I were you, I would have some fun with the leaves, making cuts and watching them root through the leaf.

If you put them outdoors next spring, I would not put them in full sun for too many hours and probably not leave them out overnight to begin.

I wish you much enjoyment!
Marcia