Metallic leaf begonia comes from Mexico and Central America, where it grows in the humid shade of forest edges and roadsides. The glossy, dark green leaves develop their characteristic metallic sheen as they mature, with red veins visible on the underside that add warmth to an otherwise cool palette. From summer through fall, the plant produces clusters of small, hairy pink flowers on upright stems, but it is grown primarily for those leaves. In its native zones 10 to 11, it functions as an herbaceous perennial; elsewhere it earns its keep as a houseplant.

Given a position in bright but indirect light and protection from dry air, metallic leaf begonia is not a difficult plant indoors. It prefers consistent humidity and steady temperatures, reacting poorly to fluctuations and cold drafts. Watering should be careful: the soil should drain well and the surface should approach dryness before the next application. In spring and early summer, new stems push up from the base, and pinching or pruning older stems encourages the plant to branch more freely. Stem and leaf cuttings root readily. Outdoors in partial shade, it makes an effective container specimen or massed planting at the edge of a woodland or Asian-inspired garden.