Painted-leaf Begonia

Painted-leaf Begonia Care

Begonia rex

Other names: Rex Begonia, King Begonia, Beefsteak Geranium

What is the plant

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.

The Painted-Leaf begonia or begonia Rex belongs to the family Begoniaceae, genus Begonia. Although it is a flowering plant, it is predominantly grown for its beautifully colored oval or heart-shaped leaves, which stay decorative and alluring all year round.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

16°C - 21°C

Hardiness zone

10a - 11b

Difficulty

Medium

Hibernation

Cold Period

Toxicity

Poisonous

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Begonia Rex are very picky drinkers! While they are susceptible to root rot, they prefer constant moisture with only slight drying between waterings. Therefore, water thoroughly and allow any excess to drain away from the roots. Remember to place a plate beneath your pot to catch the excess water.
Pruning
Snip away withered leaves with a clean pair of scissors or knife.
Fertilizer
Apply a balanced (preferably liquid) fertilizer with a 10-10-10 formula every other week.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

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Sunlight
Plants need at least 6-8 hours of filtered, indirect sun daily.
Soil
Rex begonias are extremely vulnerable to root rot, so your begonia quick-draining soil. Consider adding perlite, sand, or small bark chips to increase drainage.
Propagation
Rex begonias are easily propagated through leaf cutting and division, but their harvested seeds are unlikely to resemble their parents. Experiment and create new hybrids by sowing fertilized seeds!

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Temperature
Good news! Begonia rex have very room-temperature preferences. 70-80°F (21-27°C) during the day and 60-70°F (16-21°C) will keep your king happy in his court.
Container
Rex begonias do well in ceramic or terra cotta pots with proper drainage holes. The container should only be 2-3 inches wider than the plant's root ball.
Fun fact
The begonia Rex aka the King begonia has been bred for its beautiful colorations into a multitude of begonia crosses. Many of these crosses have been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit: the King begonia has a royal germline indeed!