How do I care for this plant?

Bev
by Bev

This has grown to a rather large plant, but it always has dried, ugly brown leaves. I've tried letting it dry out to giving it more water, spraying the leaves and NOT spraying the leaves, giving it more sun, less sun, to shade... no matter what I do, it rarely looks nice. I don't know what kind of plant it is, but would sure appreciate some help.

  5 answers
  • Pat Pat on Mar 07, 2019

    Looks like a begonia. Look it up on the garden web and they will give you instructions on caring for it. Mine had small clusters of pink flowers.

    • Bev Bev on Mar 07, 2019

      It had bright reddish pink flowers the first year and none since then. I'll try a more shaded area and hope that helps. Thank you for your suggestions.

  • Amanda Amanda on Mar 07, 2019

    Hi Bev. I agree with Pat. The leaves do look like a begonia. They like more shade which might be the reason for the yellow/brown areas on the edges. It could be getting sunburned. What is your location and does this come back every year for you? I am in WI and for us begonias are a annual. I know in the warmer climates they can be a perennial.

    • Bev Bev on Mar 07, 2019

      I'm from Kansas and I've kept this an indoor plant because I didn't know if it would survive outdoors. If it's a begonia, it could be getting too much sunlight; I'll try a more shaded area. Thanks for your help.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Mar 07, 2019

    It is a begonia, those leaves are a main identifier of it.

    It might be getting too much sun and are drying out too fast from conditions.

    • Bev Bev on Mar 07, 2019

      Everyone agrees that it's most likely a begonia. I'll try treating it like one anyway and see what happens. Thank you for your help.

  • Marilyn Marilyn on Mar 07, 2019

    Looks like a 'circular file' plant! lol. Seriously, I think I used to have one and it did put out small pink flowers. It was probably a begonia. Also seriously, if I had it that long and tried all I could think of, like you have, I really think I'd get rid of it. It's obviously not bringing you the pleasure it should.

  • Bev Bev on Mar 07, 2019

    Is that the same file as 'file 13'? I've had this plant for several years, but it had blooms the first year and none after that. If it's a begonia then I've definitely been giving it too much sun, even though it's a filtered sunlight. I'll treat it like it's a begonia and if that doesn't work I try that 'circular file' system. Thanks.