Trailing Watermelon Begonia: A Stunning and Hardy Addition to Your Vivarium
Common Name: Trailing Watermelon Begonia
Scientific Name: Procris repens (previously Pellionia repens)
Lighting: Medium to bright
Water preferences: Medium to high moisture
Growth pattern: Creeping or hanging vine
The Trailing Watermelon Begonia (Procris repens, previously known as Pellionia repens) is a captivating plant that adds a touch of elegance and charm to your vivarium.
Despite its name, it is not actually a Begonia, and to add to the confusion, has recently been renamed, too.
This trailing and cascading plant bears a striking resemblance to a watermelon, with its vibrant colors and attractive foliage.
With its hardiness, medium-paced growth, and versatility in climbing backgrounds and cascading off ledges, the Trailing Watermelon Begonia is a wonderful addition to any vivarium.
Let's delve into the characteristics and care requirements of this beautiful plant.
Resilient Beauty and Growth Habits
The Trailing Watermelon Begonia exhibits resilience and beauty in equal measure.
Its cascading growth habit allows it to gracefully drape over backgrounds and spill over ledges, creating an eye-catching display.
The foliage of this plant showcases intricate patterns and colors reminiscent of a watermelon, making it a visually stunning addition to your vivarium.
With medium-paced growth, the Trailing Watermelon Begonia strikes a balance between maintaining its shape and adding lushness to your vivarium.
Lighting and Moisture Requirements
While the Trailing Watermelon Begonia is forgiving when it comes to lighting conditions, providing medium to bright indirect light will ensure optimal growth and vibrant foliage coloration.
It can tolerate lower light levels, but will not grow very fast.
Consistent moisture is key to the well-being of this plant, as it prefers moist soil.
However, be cautious not to overwater, as it may lead to root rot.
Strive to maintain a balance between moisture and proper drainage within your vivarium.
Propagation and Versatile Attachment
One of the notable characteristics of the Trailing Watermelon Begonia is its ability to attach and propagate through roots at the nodes.
This feature offers flexibility in placement and allows you to easily propagate and spread the plant throughout your vivarium.
By clipping stems at the nodes and rooting them elsewhere, you can expand the coverage of this stunning plant and create a lush and cohesive display.
Distinguishing from Watermelon Vine
It is important to note that the Trailing Watermelon Begonia (Procris repens) should not be mistaken for the Watermelon Vine (Pellionia pulchra), which we’ve also discussed.
While they share similarities in appearance, they are distinct species.
The Trailing Watermelon Begonia, with its recent renaming to Procris repens, offers its own unique qualities and characteristics that make it a standout choice for vivarium enthusiasts.
Conclusion
The Trailing Watermelon Begonia (Procris repens) is a captivating and versatile plant that adds a touch of beauty and elegance to your vivarium.
With its trailing and cascading growth habit, vibrant foliage reminiscent of a watermelon, and medium-paced growth, it brings a unique charm to your vivarium's landscape.
Providing medium to bright indirect light and maintaining consistent moisture will ensure the health and vibrancy of this plant.
Its ability to attach and propagate easily through roots at the nodes allows for effortless propagation and versatile placement.
