Begonia Julau (Type 2) Plants GrowTropicals
Begonia Julau

Begonia Julau (Type 2)

£19.99
Rewarding challengeHumidity-lover
Pot size
8cm £19.99

FREE tracked delivery on orders over £60

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Terrarium Premium Substrate (ABG Mix)
The perfect soil Terrarium Premium Substrate (ABG Mix) · 2.5L · £5.99
Description

Begonia sp. 'Julau' (Type 2)

Begonia 'Julau' Type 2 is an undescribed species begonia from Sarawak in Borneo, grown for its dramatic foliage. The leaves are close to pitch black, drawn out to a point and scattered with striking pink spots, carried on red-flushed stalks. It stays small and low, which suits it well to a terrarium or a covered growing space.

Origins

It was collected around 2021 near the town of Julau in Sarawak, Borneo, and is often simply referred to as Begonia sp. Julau. Botanists have not formally described it yet, so it also carries the collection code sp. 'U683'. Growers use the Type numbering to tell apart the closely related begonias that have come out of this same corner of Borneo. In the wild it grows on the shaded forest floor in warm, damp air, which is a good guide to how it likes to be kept.

Care

Give it bright but indirect light and keep it out of direct sun, which scorches the leaves and can wash out the dark colour and pink spotting. Water when the top few centimetres of the mix feel dry, keeping the compost lightly moist without letting it sit wet. Humidity matters most. This begonia likes it high, ideally 70 percent or more, so a terrarium or covered growing space suits it far better than open shelf air. Keep it warm, above 15C, and away from cold draughts.

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All plants are covered by our 7-day live arrival guarantee. We pack every order in protective, sustainable packaging designed to keep your plants safe in transit, and every plant is checked before it ships. On the rare occasion something is not right on arrival, we will make it good, provided the plant is still in its original nursery pot.

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Delivery & returns

Order by 1pm Monday to Friday for same day dispatch. Every plant travels in protective, plant-safe packaging with tracked delivery.

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How to care for Begonia Julau

Set me near a bright window, out of direct sun and water me little and often so I stay evenly moist.

In their words

What our customers say

Arrived just like the photos - maybe even fuller. Healthy, well-acclimated, and straight into my collection with no issues.

Emily P.

Flawless leaves, stunning variegation, and clearly cared for by experts. It’s already a talking point in my home office.

James R.

Hard to find rare plants that are pet-safe. Ours arrived in perfect condition and looks amazing without any worry.

Sophie L.
Get to know me

About Begonia Julau

Begonia Julau (Type 2) is a rewarding challenge of a houseplant. It needs bright indirect light, watering often enough to keep the compost evenly moist, high humidity and a minimum temperature of 15°C. It is harmful to pets and small children if eaten.

Good for

Kitchen

Care level

EasyChallenge

A rewarding challenge

Light

ShadeFull sun

Bright, indirect light

Bright, indirect light is ideal. Keep it out of direct sun, which scorches the delicate leaves. Read moreShow less

Bright, indirect light is ideal. Keep it out of direct sun, which scorches the delicate leaves.

Watering

Evenly moistDries out fully

Keep evenly moist

Water when the top few centimetres of the mix feel dry. Keep the compost lightly moist and avoid leaving it waterlogged, which causes root rot. Read moreShow less

Water when the top few centimetres of the mix feel dry. Keep the compost lightly moist and avoid leaving it waterlogged, which causes root rot.

Humidity

Average homeHigh humidity

Needs high humidity

High humidity, ideally 70 percent or more. It is well suited to a terrarium or a covered growing space. Read moreShow less

High humidity, ideally 70 percent or more. It is well suited to a terrarium or a covered growing space.

Temperature

Keep above 15°C · Likes a warm room

Keep it warm, above 15C, and protect it from cold draughts and unheated winter rooms. Read moreShow less

Keep it warm, above 15C, and protect it from cold draughts and unheated winter rooms.

Feeding

Feed monthly with a balanced fertiliser from spring to autumn, and let it rest over winter.

Growth habit

Clumping →Crawling

Plant type

Begonia →Foliage houseplant →

Toxicity

Harmful if chewed or swallowed. Keep it out of reach of pets and small children, and wash your hands after pruning.

Also known as

Begonia Julau (Type 2)

Genus

Begonia →
Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Begonia Julau safe around pets?

No. Like all begonias it contains soluble calcium oxalates, which are toxic to cats, dogs and horses if eaten. The underground parts hold the most, so keep it out of reach and call a vet if a pet chews it.

Why does my Julau look sad when it arrives?

Begonias can sulk after a move and may drop a leaf or two or look a little melted. Settle it somewhere warm and humid, keep the compost lightly moist, and it usually recovers and pushes new growth once it feels at home.

Does it need high humidity?

Yes. This is a jungle begonia that likes 70 percent or more, which is hard to hold in an open room. A terrarium, growth cabinet or covered propagation box gives it the moist, still air it wants.

How much light should it have?

Bright but indirect light. Direct sun burns the leaves, so an east-facing spot or a shaded position under a grow light works best. Good ambient light keeps the patterning and sheen strong.

What does 'Type 2' mean?

The Type numbering separates the closely related, still-unnamed begonias found around Julau in Sarawak. This one is Type 2, with the collection code U683, and is the form often simply called sp. Julau. Its sibling from the same area is labelled Type 1 (U684). Both are still awaiting a formal botanical name.

Does my plant come with a pot?
Your plant will arrive in its nursery grow pot — the plastic pot it's been growing in. We don't include a decorative pot as standard, and there's a good reason for that: it means you get to choose one that fits your space and style, rather than being stuck with something that doesn't suit your home.

It also means you're not paying extra for a pot you might not want. The nursery pot is perfectly fine to keep your plant in for a while, just pop it inside a decorative cover pot or cache pot and you're good to go. When you're ready to repot (usually after a growing season or when roots start poking out the bottom), you can move it into something more permanent with fresh soil.

If you're not sure what size cover pot to go for, check the pot selector tool listed above, you'll want a decorative pot that's a centimetre or two wider than that to give it a comfortable fit.
How big will my plant be when it arrives?
Every plant on our site includes the pot size (e.g. 12cm) and, where possible, an approximate height. That's the most reliable way to set your expectations, photos can sometimes make a plant look larger or smaller than it really is.

If you're thinking "that sounds quite small for the price," here's something worth knowing: younger, smaller plants almost always adapt better to your home than larger ones. They adjust faster to your light and humidity, put out new growth more quickly, and tend to establish stronger root systems long-term. A plant that grows into your space will usually outperform one that was already big when it arrived.

That said, every plant is an individual. The one you receive may vary slightly in height, shape, or fullness compared to the photo, that's the nature of living things, not a quality issue. We select healthy, well-established specimens, and if you ever feel your plant doesn't match what you were expecting, just get in touch and we'll take a look.
What makes your plants different from the supermarket or garden centre?
There's a big difference between a plant that's been sitting under on a retail shelf and one that's been looked after and cared for by people who specialise in exactly this.

Our plants are grown in house or sourced from specialist nurseries, many of them varieties you simply won't find at your local garden centre or supermarket. Before anything leaves us, it's checked over by our horticultural team to make sure it's healthy, well-rooted, and ready to thrive in your home. We're not shifting volume off a pallet, we're choosing plants we'd want to keep ourselves.

When you buy from a supermarket, you get a plant and a generic care label. When you buy from us, you get the knowledge that comes with it, detailed care guidance, a team you can actually contact if something isn't going right, and the confidence that what's arriving has been looked after properly from the moment it was grown to the moment it reaches your door.

We're a specialist nursery first, not a retailer that happens to sell plants. That's the difference, and you'll see it the moment you open the box.
What should I do when my plant arrives?
First things first, unbox it as soon as you can. Plants don't love being in dark boxes any more than you would, and the sooner yours is out and breathing, the better.

Remove all the packaging carefully, give the soil a check with your finger, and water lightly if it feels dry. Then find it a spot with appropriate light, but avoid putting it straight into harsh direct sun or next to a radiator. Think of it like arriving somewhere new after a long journey: it needs a moment to adjust.

It's completely normal for your plant to look a little tired or droopy after transit. This is called transit stress, and most plants bounce back within a week or two. You might see a yellow leaf or some drooping, don't panic, and resist the urge to overwater or start repotting straight away.

Our advice for the first couple of weeks: leave it in its nursery pot, water it only when the top layer of soil feels dry, and let it acclimatise to your home's light, temperature, and humidity. Once it's settled in and showing signs of new growth, you can think about repotting or moving it to its permanent spot.

Every plant we sell comes with a care guide on the product page so you'll know exactly what it needs going forward. And if anything doesn't look right, get in touch with our team, we're always happy to help.
Will my plant survive being shipped?
Yes! and we go to serious lengths to make sure of it. Every plant is hand-packed by our team with protective wrapping and secure, custom-designed boxes to keep it stable and safe in transit. We've shipped hundreds of thousands of plants across the UK and our packaging methods have been refined over years to handle the bumps and jolts of delivery.

During colder months, we monitor weather forecasts and offer heat packs where needed to protect against frost. In extreme conditions, we may hold your order for a day or two rather than risk sending it out, we'd rather you wait an extra day than receive a stressed plant.

That said, plants are living things, and the occasional transit wobble can happen. If your plant arrives damaged or isn't in the condition you'd expect, just get in touch within 48 hours with a photo, and we'll make it right, whether that's a replacement or a full refund. No fuss.

The short version: we treat every box like it's going to someone who really cares about what's inside, because it is.
Meet the family

Everything about Begonia

Begonias are among the most beloved houseplants for their vibrant colours and unique foliage. Whether you’re a seasoned plant enthusiast or a beginner, learning how to care for your Begonia can ensure it thrives for years. This guide will take you through...

More about Begonia care
Begonia Care Guide
Why Grow Tropicals

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Begonia Julau (Type 2)
£19.99