Rex begonias like bright, indirect light year-round. We have roughly 50 different Begonia Rex available. Airy, light, fast-draining soil is best for rex begonias. They frequently have large leaves (up to 6 inches long) that are brightly colored in various shades of green, red, silver, and even purple. There are many different cultivated varieties, sporting large leaves with streaks, spirals or veins, and often with splashes of silver, pink, purple green and burgundy. As such, they do best in large, relatively shallow pots where the rhizome has room to spread. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board. Even the best specimen plant can only be expected to thrive for a few years. The forms sold commercially are carefully cultivated varieties of the B. rex species native to parts of eastern Asia. Begonia Rex is a popular and well-known tropical Begonia plant variety. Every three months, apply a controlled release fertilizer. And that’s without producing many flowers like other Begonia species. Rex Begonia’s are also called looking glass plants. They cannot tolerate freezing, and some types of rex begonias go into a dormant period during the fall. Provide the plant with plenty of bright indirect sun, but keep it out of direct sunlight. There are many different cultivated varieties, sporting large leaves with streaks, spirals or veins, and often with splashes of silver, pink, purple green and burgundy. They are rhizomatous, meaning they typically grow horizontally and with shortened stems. Some Tuberous Begonia you might like: Dragon Wing series, Hanging Basket series. Flowers tend to be inconspicuous and are … They are grown for their gorgeous blossoms and spectacular leaf shapes and colors. The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Large or gangly plants can be pruned into shape. Rex begonia plants have calcium oxalate, which is toxic to dogs and cats. This category also includes rex begonias that are often grown for their amazing foliage that come in vivid colors like green, red, silver, purple, brown, and pink. Propagating Rex Begonia. Divide the rhizome when repotting to increase your plant stock. If you live in an area that's prone to flooding, growing your begonias in a pot will give you the option of bringing them under shelter in rain. Rex Begonia leaves also grow in purple, cream, pink, and silver. Rex begonias require regular water, but be careful not to over-water them. As with all begonias, don't soak the soil of newly potted plants, but do keep it lightly moist and warm. Begonia plants from this group have leaves that vary in size and pattern and grow from rhizomes, hence the name. Because it's a relatively short houseplant, Rex begonia is perfect for desks and tabletops where is wildly colorful, variegated foliage makes it a perfect contrast against other houseplants. Probably one of the most interesting looking plants due to their texture, hues, and shape, Begonias are named after a 17th-century French plant enthusiast called Michael Begon. In their natural habi Its young leaves are flushed with purplish pink over the entire leaf blade. Rex begonias (Begonia rex) are tropical plants, prized for their colorfully patterned and intriguingly shaped leaves.Although they are at home in a shady garden, they are also popular as houseplants.Many people collect and display several varieties. Rex Begonia leaves vary considerably in texture, size, shape, patterns and colors. The American Begonia Society calls Begonia rex “the showboat of the begonia world.” That may be, but the king begonia, or Begonia Rex Cultorum Group as they are more formally known, may just be my Achilles’ heel: a plant that simply will not thrive for me, however much care and attention I lavish on it. The rex begonia is a native of Southeast Asia. Rhizomatous begonias such as the rex begonia can be easily propagated by rhizome division during repotting. The cultivar offers a wide range of colors, textures, and shape. -Rita Randolph, Rex begonias, Fine Gardening issue #120. They also thrive on humidity but don't like direct misting, which encourages powdery mildew. Be sure your garden beds or containers meet the requirements of the rex begonia. Don’t worry, just pinch back leggy stems and keep on taking care of your begonia until it grows new leaves. The vast majority of begonias offered in the trade are hybrids and thus cannot be accurately propagated from seed. Too much food will make for a scraggly plant, so pay attention and adjust the feeding to suit your variety. Their distinct foliage makes them a popular houseplant, but they can be finicky. Learn how to care for the Rex Begonia! Rex begonias (Begonia rex) are tropical plants, prized for their colorfully patterned and intriguingly shaped leaves. Despite its exotic looks, Rex begonia is actually easy to grow. Decrease fertilizing when fall arrives and stop in winter. Rex Begonias are admired for their fabulous foliage. This is an extremely popular Rex hybrid begonia. Award-winning Begonia 'Benitochiba' is an evergreen, rhizomatous perennial of upright habit, mostly grown for its elegant foliage of large, palmately-divided silvery leaves adorned with dark green markings along the veins. Rex begonias are grown for their colourful, dramatic foliage. Rex Begonia Features: An Overview. This aggression proves itself in garden performance. Rex Begonia Care Instructions Temperature: Average room temperatures of 55 - 75°F (13 - 24°C) are best suited for Begonias...and no less than 55°F, and typically no more than 85-90F Light: This plant is not in favor of all day direct sun, however, an East facing window will suit a Rex beautifully. Almost all begonia species will readily sprout from leaf-tip cuttings. Although a blooming plant, its flowers are so small … Rex Begonia Plant – Care, Growing, Watering, Propagation read more » In this article, we will go through everything you need to care for a Rex Begonia and … The Begonia rex is one of the most beautiful houseplants out there. Because it's a relatively short houseplant, Rex begonia is perfect for desks and tabletops where is wildly colorful, variegated foliage makes it a perfect contrast against other houseplants. Mealybugs, aphids, and caterpillars can also become a problem. How to Care for an Escargot Begonia Plant. Avoid soggy conditions, but do not allow plants to wilt. Water when soil is dry to the touch. A Note of Caution For Indoor Rex Begonia Care. The soil should be porous. If the rhizome still has room to grow in its pot, the begonia should be considered happily potted. When the rhizome begins to butt up against the sides of the pot, however, it's time to repot into a fresh pot with fresh soil. Cane type (Angel Wing) begonias and the Rex or foliage begonias are also good indoor plants. Root rot can be a problem in wet areas. Rex begonia plants have calcium oxalate, which is toxic to dogs and cats. It can be challenging to find just the right conditions for rex begonia to display its best leaf color. Begonias are a beautiful tropical plant that looks great in any garden, but since they do not grow well in colder climates, those of you who live in a northern location where the weather varies quite a bit will not be able to grow these plants outdoors all year long. More infos: the black leaves are from a cultivar named Begonia × rex-cultorum “Dark Mambo”. Its leaves can vary in form - from hearts, to seashell swirls, to ivy-like forms, and more. Rotate the plant frequently to expose it to equal light on all sides. Related plants How to grow Begonia × hiemalis from cuttings Rex begonias: A subgroup of rhizomatous, Rex begonias (Begonia rex), are widely available, sold by florists and garden centers year-round, and generally reach 12 to 18 inches tall and wide. Rex begonias are often troubled by mildew and botrytis fungal disease. Rex begonias are sensitive to temperature and humidity changes. While their flowers are insignificant, their foliage is like a royal robe with purple, pink, maroon, pewter, silver and shades of green splashed on the foliage in dazzling combos. If planted in the garden (a relatively rare occurrence), rex begonia is grown as an annual in all but the warmest climates. Most varieties of begonia cannot survive temperatures below 45 °F (7 °C). Although a blooming plant, its flowers are so small … Rex Begonia Plant – Care, Growing, Watering, Propagation read more » The Rex Begonia has a somewhat unfair reputation that it is difficult to take care of. Read on to learn how to grow rhizomatous begonias and about rhizomatous begonia care. Rex Begonia leaves also grow in purple, cream, pink, and silver. Remove dead leaves promptly and provide good air circulation. Growing Rex Begonias Indoors. A Begonia Rex plant, also called a Painted-Leaf Begonia, a Fancy-Leaf Begonia, or King Begonia, is a colorful perennial flowering plant that originally came from India. You can feed your potted plants monthly with any good houseplant food. In dry climates or indoors in winter, provide moisture in the air by misting plants with a spray bottle, placing pots on wet pebbles in a tray, or keeping plants in a greenhouse. Rex: Rex begonias are entirely their own class of begonia.They are rhizomatous, meaning they typically grow horizontally and … The Begonia Rex is a gorgeous plant, but it commonly gives house plant owners a hard time. As a result, you might find that the same crosses have different names in different garden centers. Rex begonias Also known as king begonias, Rex begonias have the name for good reason. Marked by dramatic colors - often a mix of green, pink or burgundy - the Rex Begonia can also include metallic shades of grayish silver. If you don’t get frost where you live, wait until the plant shows signs of decline—wilting, browning, shedding of … The leaves grow on short leaf stalks, from the underground rhizome. It produces oval or heart-shaped fancy leaved begonias with interesting coloration. One of the more common types of begonias grown is the rhizomatous, or Rex begonia. Rex begonia hybrids have been developed to have unusual markings, leaf shapes, and colors. Outdoor Begonia Care. Most rex begonias sold today are named hybrids, although they are not always labeled as such. How to Care for an Escargot Begonia Plant. A Begonia Rex plant, also called a Painted-Leaf Begonia, a Fancy-Leaf Begonia, or King Begonia, is a colorful perennial flowering plant that originally came from India. These plants do require high humidity (more than 50 percent), which means it can be difficult to maintain rex begonias indoors over the winter. Rotating potted rex begonias will keep the plants full and stocky. Fancy-leafed begonias produce dramatic, large leaves streaked, veined, or splashed in shades of silver, pink, purple, cream, green, or burgundy. Angel wing: Also known as cane begonia, this type has long stems with "joints" on them.As the name suggests, these begonias have leaves that look like angel wings. Avoid soggy conditions, but do not allow plants to wilt. Repotting rex begonias each spring will ensure that they have plenty of soil to grow in, but they like to be a little bit pot bound. This Rex Begonia indoor care guide covers all you need to know to better understand the Begonia species and how to care for Rex Begonia plants indoors. Begonias do not grow or use fertilizer efficiently below 58°F. Humidity is crucial to keeping your rex begonia happy, however, spraying the leaves can lead to spotting. Rex begonia care indoors can be a little tricky, but it is certainly possible to grow beautiful specimens if you understand the plant’s needs. The leaves of the rex begonia … What is a Rhizomatous Begonia? The wax begonia is a very popular plant because they are typically very easy to care for, but they still need to have special attention before winter hits so that they can survive the cold. Wax begonias, the familiar outdoor bedding begonia, will bloom all year if kept warm. Every three months, apply a controlled release fertilizer. Shop online today. Series: Begonia Rex Dibs™ & Bewitched® Recommended Containers: 6” to 12” pots and mixed patio containers. Rex begonia ceases growing if the temperatures fall below 58 °F – be mindful in the winter months. The soil should be porous. Rex Begonias are admired for their fabulous foliage. Rex begonias are rhizomatous plants that grow from a shallow and knobby rhizome. The outer edges of the leaf may appear dark green while the inner parts are a … Plants will vary and the only way to know what your plant wants is to watch it, once it has adjusted to its new surrounding. And that’s without producing many flowers like other Begonia species. They look great outdoors in shady tropical gardens, but the most popular way to display rex begonias is to collect and group them together, each in its own pot. Wax Begonias In the landscape, wax begonias ( Begonia semperflorens ) are most popular, with flowers that keep their rich color, even during the summer. Jon VanZile is a Master Gardener and the author of "Houseplants for a Healthy Home.". Use liquid fertilizer weekly at quarter strength or at half strength every two weeks. Whilst, there are some guidelines you need to follow, it can be relatively easy for the plant to thrive. Rex begonias can also be propagated by pinning a leaf to the bedding mix and making small incisions in the leaf veins or by inserting a leaf (with a petiole) directly into the soil. Give rex begonias bright light through a window, and water only when top inch of soil is dry. You can feed Rex Begonias every two weeks or so using a diluted regular balanced houseplant fertilizer during the growing season (Spring through Fall). Begonia Rex Dibs™ boast high vigor and quick crops times compared to all other Begonia Rex lines. Rex begonias are grown for their colourful, dramatic foliage. -Rita Randolph, Rex begonias, Fine Gardening issue #120. Great American Cities ‘Houston Fiesta’ Do not over-fertilize. Because these are primarily foliage plants, careful cultivation is important to realize their full beauty. Rex begonias (painted leaf begonias) may not be the easiest plant to grow indoors, but with the proper know-how, you’ll succeed in growing a thriving plant that will add liveliness and color to any indoor space. Rex begonia offers colorful foliage and is one of the most interesting indoor plants around. Another interesting and beautiful begonia is B. masoniana, also known as the Iron Cross begonia. In this article, we will go through everything you need to care for a Rex Begonia and provide some easy tips that will help you succeed. In late summer, dainty clusters of shell pink orchid-like flowers are an added bonus. Keep the plant moist, but avoid overwatering. The advice given here will help guide you to growing success. If you have trouble finding these rex begonias at your garden center, try ordering from Plants for Kids or Logee’s Greenhouses (888/330-8038). The original Begonia rex had dark leaves with wonderful silver designs. In their natural habi Let the soil surface become dry to the touch before watering. Sometimes called painted-leaf begonias or fancy-leaf begonias, these plants are known for their showy, sometimes jaw-dropping leaf coloration. Be especially careful of directly spraying the leaves, as standing water will encourage powdery mildew, which is a disaster on a plant that is cultivated for its beautiful foliage. It is grown for its large colorful leaves rather than its small pink flowers. A group of two or three pots of these little beauties will brighten any room. Ideal begonia care requires well-drained soil that has been amended by the addition of organic matter, such as compost and peat moss. If you’re overwintering Rex begonias, they might need misting or a little help from a humidifier.