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Rex Begonia is a popular houseplant grown for its ornamental foliage all over the world. Rhizomatous Begonias are simple to grow and come in a wide range of leaf shapes, colors, and patterns. The foliage of many cultivars is striped or variegated, and some have spiral-shaped leaves. While there are many lovely must-have houseplants, no plant collection is complete without one (or three, or ten) Rex Begonias. Read the article from the Garden How to learn about Begonia Rex varieties.
The characteristics of Begonia Rex varieties
Rex Begonia is a flowering perennial plant grown for its decorative foliage. The Rex Begonia is indigenous to northeast India and southeast China. Many named cultivars have been bred and selected, with many of them becoming common houseplants around the world.
The “Begonia Rex Cultorum Group” refers to Begonia cultivars with Begonia rex as a parent, of which there are currently over 500 different types. Painted-Leaf Begonias and King Begonias are other names for Rex Begonias.
You can grow Begonia Rex varieties for their vibrant, eye-catching foliage. There are numerous varieties, each with large leaves with streaks, spirals, or veins, and frequently with splashes of silver, pink, purple, green, and burgundy. Flowers are typically inconspicuous. So you should remove the leaves to make the flowers look their best.
Begonia Rex varieties are Rhizomatous plants, meaning they grow from a thick, fleshy rhizome with shallow roots. They can be difficult to grow because they prefer humid environments. As a result, they thrive in a warm, humid environment, such as a bathroom. You can plant Begonia Rex varieties as houseplants in temperate regions.
Begonia Rex varieties have large, metallic green leaves with silver splashes on top and a reddish tone beneath. In the winter, small pink flowers are born.
One of the most interesting indoor plants is the Begonia Rex varieties, which have colorful foliage. Despite their exotic appearance, the Begonia Rex varieties are simple plants to grow. Because it is a short houseplant, Rex Begonia is ideal for desks and tabletops, where its wildly colorful, variegated foliage stands out against other houseplants.
Rex Begonia varieties’ growing instructions
As a houseplant, place Begonia Rex varieties in a medium-to-bright location. In the South, it may benefit from shade from direct sunlight during the day, but in the North, some sun on the leaves is not a problem.
Water Rex Begonias when the potting mix is nearly dry. It’s better to keep them a little too dry than too wet; if the soil doesn’t dry out completely, they can rot.
Although Begonia Rex varieties do not require as much humidity as many other exotic houseplants, if your home has dry air, increase humidity during the winter months to keep the leaf tips from turning brown and dry.
Because Begonia Rex varieties aren’t heavy feeders, you can fertilize them only once or twice a year. If you want them to grow faster, fertilize them more frequently with a multipurpose houseplant fertilizer (following the directions on the packaging).
The most amazing Begonia Rex varieties
The rex Begonia is a popular houseplant due to its showy leaves, but its requirements make it difficult for some new houseplant owners. The trick is to find a happy medium between over-and under-watering the plant.
However, Begonia Rex varieties grow better as houseplants than tuberous varieties. Because they are more sensitive to light and humidity levels. Other popular Begonia Rex indoor plant varieties include the following:
Escargot Rex Begonia
Begonia Escargot’ is one of the popular types of Rex Begonias grown primarily for its striking, spiral-shaped foliage that curls around at the base of the leaf. The spiraling green, silver, and chocolate colors complement the snail curl pattern, creating an eye-catching display. The small pale pink flowers are a nice addition. Combine it with other foliage plants or brightly colored shade-loving plants. It is ideal for pots and containers and makes an excellent houseplant.
It can grow to be 6-12 inches tall and wide (15-30 cm).
Escargot Rex Begonia prefers organically rich, moist but well-drained soils in partial shade. During the growing season, Rex Begonias require high humidity and frequent fertilization.
Begonia ‘Stained Glass’
When gardeners come across ‘Stained Glass,’ it’s love at first sight. Its ruby-red leaves are rimmed in pewter and have a dollop of dark veining in the center. While there are numerous ways to complement this cultivar’s colors, the rosy underside of its leaves practically screams, “Put me with something pink!”
Begonia ‘Fireworks’
Fireworks, which is one of the special types of Begonia rex, is also one of the most striking and popular new cultivars available, with its strong dark black, metallic silver, and vivid purple coloration. Choosing companion plants that echo these vibrant colors results in a visually appealing combination.
Begonia ‘Cowardly Lion’
When compared to the typical cool, blue tones found in many shade garden plants, the rich, warm tones of ‘Cowardly Lion’ are a breath of fresh air. Its stunning chocolate-colored leaf veins conceal the golden leaves, which darken with age and make an ideal foil for yellow-based foliage companions.
Begonia ‘River Nile’
The phrase “less is more” could not be more appropriate when describing ‘River Nile.’ There are no bright colors in this room. However, I believe you’ll find that the ruffled, luscious green leaves edged in deep bronze are enough to create dramatic displays centered on this simple color scheme.
Begonia ‘Green Gold’
‘Green Gold’ is a robust oldie but a goodie with striking silver leaves and deep green veining. New leaves have a warm golden glow to them and are framed with a delicate burgundy edging. The silver color brightens shady corners and blends well with others.
Begonia ‘Marmaduke’
The coloring of ‘Marmaduke’ is similar to that of ‘Cowardly Lion,’ but with a twist. Rather than following the veins, the chocolate-colored tones are strewn across the golden leaves. The effect is mesmerizing, and the rich earth tones work well with plants with solid-colored foliage and yellow or rusty-colored blooms.
Furthermore, Begonia Rex varieties also consist of other cultivars such as Harmony’s Cupid Rex Begonia, Heart’s Desire Rex Begonia, Cherry Blossom Rex Begonia, Purple Metallic Rex Begonia, Harmony’s Witchy Woman Rex Begonia, Festive Pink & Silver Rex Begonia, Hypnosis Rex Begonia, Sea Serpent Rex Begonia, Maui Mist Rex Begonia, and so on.
Rex Begonia toxicity and pet friendliness
The Begonia Rex varieties are toxic to cats, dogs, and grazing animals such as horses, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). This is due to the plant’s soluble calcium oxalates, which can cause kidney failure in grazing animals and vomiting or salivation in cats and dogs when consumed.
Questions and Answers
What is the difference between the Rex and Angel Wing Begonias?
Angel wing Begonias are also known as cane Begonias. They grow more upright with more space between the nodes than other Begonias. During active growth, they usually bloom several times (even indoors). They range in size from small to very large.
Rex Begonias are rhizomatous plants that grow horizontally (creeping rhizomes), though some grow more upright but with shorter stems. Rexes (King Begonia) have more colorful leaves than other rhizomatous Begonias. The distinction between what is a rex and what appears to be a rex has become increasingly blurred as more hybrids have been introduced. The true rex species (Begonia rex Putzey) is one of the parents of rex hybrids, but many rex-looking Begonias do not contain B. rex Putzey. Rexes typically bloom in the fall, but they can bloom at other times as well. Rexes defoliate and go into dormancy for a few weeks in the winter as well. Powdery mildew is also a problem for Rexes.
How long can rex Begonias live?
Even the best specimen plant can only survive for around two to three years. However, Rex Begonia propagate so easily. So, it is simple to maintain a steady supply of healthy plants by growing new plants from cuttings.
Conclusion
In this article, Garden How provided information related to Begonia Rex varieties and some tips for growing Rex Begonia. With a variety of types of Begonia rex, hopefully, you can choose a suitable variety to add green to your home space.
Related posts:
Angel Wing Begonia varieties: Stunning flowers for your garden
How to take care of Begonia Rex with step-by-step guides
Gardening Guides for planting Begonia tubers
When is the best time to plant Begonia tubers?
Methods for propagating Angel Wing Begonias – Advices from experienced gardeners