I know what you’re thinking — that’s not a succulent! And you’re right. But hear me out: Beefsteak Begonia (Begonia erythrophylla) has a lot in common with succulents when it comes to care, it propagates like an absolute champion, and it doesn’t need nearly as much light. We’ll take all the easy, beautiful plants we can get, right?
Allow me to introduce you to my beautiful Begonia erythrophylla ‘Beefsteak’ plant! It’s a rhizomatous-type of Begonia which means its stem is different from the cane varieties which would require a node to propagate. Not this gal though!
In September of 2018 my friend Kathy mailed me two leaves with stems from her gorgeous Begonia ‘Beefsteak.’ I had very little experience with Begonias before. I kept the cuttings in water and waited and waited and waited. They finally started putting out roots!
I potted them up in fast draining soil, and slowly at first but then more quickly, they begin to put out more leaves, then more… Well you can see the results now — a big pot full of my own Begonia Beefsteaks that all began with two leaves! I water maybe 2 or 3 times a month and keep them indoors in a bright window. It’s such a great house plant!
I have since propagated a few more and even had success with another method of propagating Kathy taught me using leaf cuttings. You simply remove a leaf, cut it into several pieces and gently press it into damp soil in a plastic-covered container. Not all Begonias propagate through leaf cuttings like that but this one does since it’s rhizomatous and it is the coolest thing ever!
Why Beefsteak Begonia Is So Easy to Propagate
The secret is in the stem. Beefsteak Begonia is a rhizomatous type of Begonia, which means its stems themselves can produce new growth. With cane-type Begonias and many other plants, you need a node to propagate — but not with this one. The rhizome does all the heavy lifting, which is why it’s so beginner-friendly.
Method 1: Leaf Stem Cutting in Water
This is how Kathy sent me my very first cuttings, and it’s the simplest place to start.
- Choose a healthy leaf with a longer stem attached
- Place the stem in a glass of water — just the stem, not the leaf itself
- Keep it in a bright spot out of direct light
- Wait — roots will develop from the stem over time
- Once you have a good root system, pot it up in fast-draining soil
The key thing to remember: this isn’t like cane Begonias. You don’t need a node. Just a stem in water, and patience. I always have something water-propagating on my shelf — pothos, Swiss cheese plant, coleus — so the Begonias fit right in.
Method 2: Leaf Cutting in Soil
This one blew my mind when Kathy first showed it to me. You take a single leaf, cut it into pieces, press them into damp soil, cover it, and just… wait. That’s it.
What You’ll Need
- A shallow container with a lid (a to-go container works perfectly — no drainage holes needed at this stage)
- A peat-based or seedling starter mix, moistened well
- A healthy leaf from your Beefsteak Begonia
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Select a leaf that’s not too old — newer leaves from higher up on the plant tend to have more energy
- Remove the leaf and cut it along the veins into several pieces — don’t go too small; bigger pieces tend to have more success
- Save the base where the stem was attached to the plant; that junction is often where new rhizomes emerge first
- Gently press each piece flat against the damp soil so it’s in full contact with the surface
- Put the lid on and set it in a bright spot out of direct sun
- Check every few days; remove the lid for about 20 minutes occasionally for airflow
What to Expect
New growth will emerge mainly from the center of the leaf and especially from where the stem was attached. Some pieces will take longer than others — don’t give up on them. I started a batch in January and had visible tiny rhizomes within a few weeks, with full little babies by March.
A note on peat-based soil: Peat can be hydrophobic at first, meaning it actually repels water before it’s been thoroughly saturated. Make sure to moisten it really well before you start. Once the lid is on, evaporation inside the container keeps everything evenly moist without additional watering.
Method 3: Stem Cutting in Soil
Once your plant is established and putting out new stems, you can pot those up directly.
- Take a stem cutting — ideally one that has already started developing roots in water
- Bury it lightly in fast-draining soil
- Use surrounding leaves to help prop it upright if needed
- Water it in and let it settle
I’ve had no trouble getting water-rooted stems to transition into soil — these plants are forgiving and adapt quickly.
Beefsteak Begonia Care Basics
Since the care is so similar to succulents, you may already have everything you need:
- Light: Bright indirect light. This is actually one of its big advantages over succulents — it doesn’t need a ton of it. Mine lives in a bright window with some spillover from nearby grow lights. No direct sun needed.
- Watering: About 2–3 times a month — very much like a low-maintenance succulent.
- Soil: Fast-draining mix, same as you’d use for succulents, once it’s past the propagation stage.
- Pot: Make sure it has a drainage hole once it’s potted up properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you propagate Beefsteak Begonia from just a leaf?
Yes! Because it’s a rhizomatous Begonia, a single leaf cut into pieces and pressed into damp soil can produce new plants. This doesn’t work with all Begonia types — it’s specific to rhizomatous varieties like the Beefsteak.
Do you need a node to propagate Beefsteak Begonia?
No. Unlike cane Begonias and many other plants, rhizomatous Begonias like the Beefsteak don’t require a node. The rhizome (stem) itself generates new growth.
How long does Beefsteak Begonia propagation take?
Water propagation can show roots in a few weeks. Leaf cuttings in soil typically show tiny rhizomes within 2–4 weeks and visible new leaves within 6–10 weeks, depending on conditions.
What kind of soil is best for propagating Beefsteak Begonia?
For propagation, a peat-based or seedling starter mix works well in a covered container. Once the plant is established, switch to a fast-draining mix similar to what you’d use for succulents.
How much light does Beefsteak Begonia need?
Bright indirect light is ideal. This is actually one of its advantages over succulents — it thrives in the kind of indoor light that most succulents would find insufficient. A bright window without direct sun is perfect.
Is Beefsteak Begonia a good houseplant?
Absolutely. It’s low-maintenance, doesn’t need much light by plant standards, only needs watering a couple of times a month, and propagates so easily you’ll have extras to give away in no time. The glossy green tops and vivid red undersides make it a showstopper on a windowsill.
Have questions, propagation success stories, or a favorite Begonia variety? Drop them in the comments — I love hearing from you!
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