PlantFiles: Fuchsia Begonia, corazon-de-jesus, Shrub Begonia
Begonia foliosa var. miniata

I've had this plant in my garden for several years, and one wonderful thing about it is that it has NEVER stopped blooming. It flowers profusely 365 days a year, even in shade!

I have not grown this plant. Fuchsia Begonia (Begonia foliosa var. miniata) is a shrub-like begonia. Also commonly known as corozon-de-Jesus, it is a shrub-like evergreen plant that is native to Colombia and Venezuela and a naturalized (introduced) plant in the Hawaiian Islands. Its 1 inch long, shiny, oblong-ovate to sickle-shaped, mid-green leaves appear on slender stems. Fuchsia begonia produces fuchsia-like, 1 1/4 inch across pink to red flowers most of the year. These flowers are thought to be pollinated by hummingbirds.

Fuchsia begonia can not tolerate drying out completely, needs well drained soil and requires a humid environment. In all but cool coastal areas, it most be sheltered from direct sunlight from mid-day on through the afternoon. It can withstand some sun during the winter. To ceate a bushier plant, pinch the tips and prune the outer stems during the growing season. Leaves will drop if there is a suden temperature change. In the winter, give the plant less water.

Blooms nearly year-round and is very easy to start from cuttings. Will bloom in part sun to full shade and has lovely form, foliage and blooms.