The Rex Begonia is typically grown as an outdoor container plant but is also well-suited for hanging baskets, windowsills, or indoor home landscaping. These plants can thrive in more tropical climates and can add vibrant foliage and dimension to any landscape.
While they don't require extensive care, the Begonias have specific needs to thrive. With proper attention to their environmental requirements, Rex Begonias can be rewarding as the perfect addition to your garden.
Rex Begonia, scientifically known as Begonia Rex, is prized for its stunning foliage rather than its flowers. These plants showcase various color variations, including shades of green, red, purple, pink, silver, and brown. Typically, they vary in size from small to medium, making them suitable for containers or as indoor houseplants.
Ideal habitats for Rex Begonia mimic their natural environments, such as humid and shady areas, often found near streams. Their exquisite foliage makes them a popular choice for indoor gardening, adding vibrant colors and textures to any space.
Rex Begonia Care
Growing begonia plants is quite simple, making them a great choice for beginners and rookie gardeners. There are various methods to cultivate these plants, including growing them in pots and hanging baskets.
Placing them in a well-lit room with indirect sunlight is ideal, and ensuring good air circulation can help these plants flourish.
Light
This plant loves to stay in areas with bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight can scorch its delicate leaves, so it's important to avoid it. Instead, provide filtered sunlight through a sheer curtain or place it a few feet away from a sunny window.
This way, the plant can still receive the necessary light without being harmed.
Temperature
Begonia grows best in temperatures between 18 to 27 degrees Celsius. Maintaining a stable temperature is crucial as sudden fluctuations can be detrimental. These plants are sensitive to extreme cold or heat, so you should provide them with a moderate environment for excellent growth.
Any significant drops or spikes in temperature can induce stress on the plant, resulting in wilting, drooping, or even leaf loss.
Humidity
Rex Begonias prefer high humidity levels (around 50-60%) to grow properly. You can increase this moisture level by placing a pebble tray filled with water beneath the plant or by grouping several plants. Grouping them with other plants helps maintain humidity as these companion plants release moisture through transpiration.
However, avoid misting the leaves as this can make them too wet and prone to fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and leaf spot.
Water
Check the top inch of soil with your fingers before giving water to your plant. If it feels dry, it's time to water. When watering, make sure to soak the soil deeply, allowing water to reach the roots. This will help the plant absorb nutrients and stay hydrated, promoting healthy growth.
Always use lukewarm water. Cold water can shock the plant, leading to discomfort and potentially damaging its delicate tissues. Also, be careful not to get water on the leaves; this can contribute to problems like rot or bacterial infections.
Soil
Choose the right soil for your begonias as these plants don't like their roots sitting in water for a long period. Opt for a potting mix made specifically for begonias or growing African violets. Look for one that's light, airy, and drains well.
Moreover, employing a mix with perlite or vermiculite is great because it helps water flow through the soil, preventing it from becoming waterlogged. This means your Begonias' roots can breathe and grow happily.
Fertilizer
Feed a diluted fertilizer every four to six weeks when it's growing, typically in spring and summer. However, be cautious not to fertilize during the winter when the plant is resting. During its dormant period, the plant will accumulate fertilizer in the soil without utilizing it, potentially causing nutrient imbalances and damage to the roots.
You should repot your Begonia plant when it outgrows its current pot or at least once a year. Repotting in a new container allows the plant's roots to have more space to grow and access nutrients from the soil. Also, over time, the soil in the pot can become depleted of nutrients, and repotting ensures the plant continues to grow.
If the plant becomes too top-heavy or starts to look crowded in its pot, it's a good indication that it needs repotting. Otherwise, you will know it's time to repot when you see roots coming out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot, the plant becoming root-bound, or growth slowing down despite proper care.
Pruning Tips
Prune your Begonia plant every 2 to 4 weeks, or more frequently depending on how fast it grows. Look for signs that it needs trimming like yellowing or dead leaves, or if it starts to look too tall and spindly.
If you notice these signs, it's time to prune. You can also check the plant's overall appearance; if it looks overcrowded or messy, it might benefit from pruning. Remember, it's better to prune a little bit more often than to wait until the plant gets too unruly.
Tips for pruning
Use clean, sharp scissors to trim yellowing or dead leaves at the base.
Cut back long stems just above leaf nodes to promote branching and compact growth.
Trim tall or leggy main stems to encourage balanced growth, cutting above healthy leaf nodes.
Regularly prune to maintain desired shape and size.
Propagating Rex Begonias, a low-maintenance plant, is quite easy and can be accomplished through stem cuttings or leaf cuttings. To propagate using stem cuttings, select a healthy stem and, using clean scissors, snip it just below a node, where leaves grow from the stem. Then, plant the cutting in a pot filled with rich potting mix and keep the soil consistently moist until roots form.
For leaf propagation pick a healthy leaf from the plant. Gently snip it off near the base, ensuring you have a clean cut. Then, place the leaf on top of the moist potting mix in a pot. Press the base of the leaf lightly into the soil to help it make contact. New plants will sprout from the base of the leaf.
Rex Begonia Types
There are over 4000 different types of Rex Begonia in existence today. However, not all varieties can be grown as household plants.
Here are the two most popular types of Rex Begonias:
Rex Begonia 'Escargot'
Rex begonia 'Escargot' is a type of plant known for its eye-catching spiral pattern on its leaves, which resembles a snail shell, hence the name 'Escargot'. The leaves have a distinct silvery-green color with dark green veins, making them quite attractive.
The plant thrives in bright, indirect light and requires consistently moist, well-draining soil. It is a compact plant, making it well-suited for indoor gardens or terrariums.
Rex Begonia 'Curly Spider'
Rex begonia 'Curly Spider' is a unique plant known for its curled and twisted leaves that resemble spider legs, giving it a dynamic and intriguing appearance. The leaves have a mix of deep green, silver, and hints of burgundy, adding complexity to its foliage.
This variety flourishes in filtered light and requires consistently moist soil. 'Curly Spider' is an eye-catching addition to any indoor plant collection, bringing texture and interest to indoor spaces.
Although Rex Begonias are generally considered low-maintenance plants, they can still encounter various issues such as browning leaf tips, powdery mildew, botrytis fungal disease, and infestations of pests like mealybugs and fungus gnats.
These issues can be addressed by ensuring the right amount of light exposure, using systemic fungicides when necessary, and occasionally replacing the top layer of the potting mix. Here, we have discussed additional preventive measures to keep your plant flourishing all year.
Pests
As mentioned earlier, these plants are susceptible to common pests such as mealybugs, spider mites, and fungus gnats, as well as fungal diseases like powdery mildew and botrytis. These pests and diseases can damage the leaves, stems, and overall appearance of begonia plants, potentially weakening their overall growth.
If you notice any such infestation occurring, promptly address it with insecticidal soap and neem oil. Begonias are particularly prone to powdery mildew and botrytis, so it's essential to maintain adequate air circulation and refrain from overwatering to deter fungal diseases.
Slow Metabolism
In winter, your Rex Begonia tends to slow down and enter a semi-dormant phase. In this period, decrease both watering and fertilizer to accommodate its reduced growth. If you observe some leaves falling off, don't fret, as this is normal during this period. Instead, look forward to fresh growth sprouting come springtime.
Dust Accumulation
While these plants typically don't accumulate as much dust as those with larger leaves, they can still collect dust on their foliage if kept indoors or in environments with limited air circulation. Regular cleaning is essential to keep the leaves free from dust, allowing them to absorb sunlight more effectively.
