Rex Begonias are not difficult to divide and propagate, which comes in handy as individual plants usually don’t have a very long lifespan. In pots, be sure to provide drainage holes. Rex Begonia Care. Marked by dramatic colors - often a mix of green, pink or burgundy - the Rex Begonia can also include metallic shades of grayish silver. Decrease fertilizing when fall arrives and stop in winter. Rex Begonia’s are also called looking glass plants. Rex begonias are sensitive to temperature and humidity changes. Begonias such as Begonia Rex and Begonia metallica are popular houseplants grown for their attractive foliage or flowers. Painted-Leaf begonia may reach a height of 10″ to 26″ inches. How to Care for an Escargot Begonia Plant. Almost all begonia species will readily sprout from leaf-tip cuttings. The resulting hybrids are often known in the trade only by fancy trade names dreamed up by growers looking to market their plants. Ideal begonia care requires well-drained soil that has been amended by the addition of organic matter, such as compost and peat moss. Whilst, there are some guidelines you need to follow, it can be relatively easy for the plant to thrive. Rex begonias are rhizomatous plants that grow from a shallow and knobby rhizome. A peat-based potting mix is ideal for containers. Begonia plants from this group have leaves that vary in size and pattern and grow from rhizomes, hence the name. Because they are not aggressive bloomers, they can tolerate less light than other begonias and will thrive under fluorescent lights. This aggression proves itself in garden performance. Care: Watering “on demand” (or when the soil is dry to the touch) is a great way to keep Rex begonias happy. You can feed Rex Begonias every two weeks or so using a diluted regular balanced houseplant fertilizer during the growing season (Spring through Fall). Mealy bugs can also be an issue. Most rex begonias sold today are named hybrids, although they are not always labeled as such. Rotating potted rex begonias will keep the plants full and stocky. Wax begonias, the familiar outdoor bedding begonia, will bloom all year if kept warm. Rex begonias are grown for their colourful, dramatic foliage. Many hybrid varieties are beautiful, but they are unlabeled or mislabeled, so be sure to ask questions so you know exactly what you're buying. Flowers tend to be inconspicuous and are … Use an organic water soluble houseplant fertilizer once every four to six weeks through spring and summer. Begonia rex is the basis for many hundreds of hybrids, and its forms are too numerous to count. Rex begonias are sensitive to temperature and humidity changes. Rex begonias Also known as king begonias, Rex begonias have the name for good reason. 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. January 13, 2019 0. Rotate the plant frequently to expose it to equal light on all sides. The soil should be porous. As with other begonias, the rex and other foliage begonias prefer the same humid, gentle environment in which understory ferns thrive. With velvety pink, light green, and black leaves, a healthy Rex has almost an ethereal look. 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. As a result, you might find the same crosses named two different things in different garden centers. 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. The rex begonia is a native of Southeast Asia. Begonias are some of the easiest plants to grow in containers. One of the more common types of begonias grown is the rhizomatous, or Rex begonia. But because they propagate so easily, it's a simple matter to keep a steady supply of healthy plants by creating new plants from cuttings. The plant contains soluble calcium oxalates, which are toxic to cats and dogs. Aptly named, these "kings" of the Begonia tribe display gorgeous foliage in wildly variable patterns, colors (including metallic silver), and even shapes (such as the spiral variety called 'Escargot'). Cut the leaf into wedges to do so lay the leaf flat on your work space. Its leaves can vary in form - from hearts, to seashell swirls, to ivy-like forms, and more. If the rhizome still has room to grow in its pot, the begonia should be considered happily potted. 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. Mealybugs, aphids, and caterpillars can also become a problem. Most varieties of begonia cannot survive temperatures below 45 °F (7 °C). CareProvide organic, sharp-draining soil in shade with lots of humidity. Every three months, apply a controlled release fertilizer. Sometimes called painted-leaf begonias or fancy-leaf begonias, these plants are known for their showy, sometimes jaw-dropping leaf coloration. Begonia rex should be watered when the soil or pot feels dry, but don’t wait until the plant starts to wilt. 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. Begonia rex is sensitive to temperature changes and to temperatures below about 60 degrees Fahrenheit (16 Celsius). Cane types will go dormant if the temperature gets too cool. Read on to learn how to grow rhizomatous begonias and about rhizomatous begonia care. Be sure your garden beds or containers meet the requirements of the rex begonia. To avoid these issues, be sure your begonias are in well-drained soil and water them sparingly. Although a blooming plant, its flowers are so small … Rex Begonia Plant – Care, Growing, Watering, Propagation read more » Remove dead leaves promptly and provide good air circulation. Keep the plant moist, but avoid overwatering. The colorful blooms and bright leaves are a beautiful addition to most gardens and shouldn't be shied away from by beginner or advanced gardeners. Crop planning from cell packs: Pot size: Plants per pot (pp) Crop Time (weeks) By using The Spruce, you accept our, 10 Top Outdoor Garden Plants That Thrive Indoors, 10 Varieties of Begonias for Gardens and Containers. 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 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. If you think that your animal is ill or may have ingested a poisonous substance, contact your local veterinarian or our 24-hour emergency poison hotline directly at 1-888-426-4435. The vast majority of begonias offered in the trade are hybrids and thus cannot be accurately propagated from seed. A group of two or three pots of these little beauties will brighten any room. Houseplants do best when the temperatures range between 60 and 85 °F. Plant profile of Begonia rex on gardenersworld.com. The leaves grow on short leaf stalks, from the underground rhizome. Interested in growing begonia rhizomes? Learn how to care for the Rex Begonia!