Begonia Rex Escargot is a particularly attractive variety. Get it free when you sign up for our newsletter. Botanical Name: Begonia boliviensis. Begonia rex Escargot: Spiraling markings and the way the leaves circle inward make each leaf look like a snail. Although they are at home in a shady garden, they are also popular as houseplants. Rex begonias like bright, indirect light year-round. As a result, you might find that the same crosses have different names in different garden centers. The petiole is the stalk that attaches the leaf blade to the plant stem. If it's flourishing, continue with what you were doing. The resulting hybrids are often known in the trade only by fancy trade names dreamed up by growers looking to market their plants. If it is droopy or gangly, adjust the light and water. Flowers tend to be inconspicuous and are … Rex begonia hybrids have been developed to have unusual markings, leaf shapes, and colors. To avoid these issues, be sure your begonias are in well-drained soil and water them sparingly. Begonia rex Snow Queen: Silvery leaves have good disease resistance. Rex begonias do best in moderate temperatures (60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit) and moderately high humidity (around 50 percent). Parent species from Northeastern India, southern China, and Vietnam, 4 Genera of Bromeliad Plants for Growing Indoors, 10 Varieties of Begonias for Gardens and Containers, How to Grow Wax Begonias (Semperflorens) Indoors, 9 Great Foliage Plants for Container Gardens, Amazon Elephant's Ear Plant Profile (African Mask). Rex begonias (Begonia rex) are tropical plants, prized for their colorfully patterned and intriguingly shaped leaves. 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. This variety produces bright orange-red fl … Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board, Annuals that can be grown as a houseplant, South and Central America, Africa, southern Asia. Mealy bugs can also be an issue. Despite its exotic looks, Rex begonia is actually easy to grow. They need some light to keep their coloring, but bright, indirect light is best. 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. As with all begonias, don't soak the soil of newly potted plants, but do keep it lightly moist and warm. Divide the rhizome when repotting to increase your plant stock. Let the soil surface become dry to the touch before watering. 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. Medium sized plants. As the name Begonia Rex Escargot suggests, the spiraled markings of the foliage of Begonia Rex Escargot resembles the shell of a snail. Many types have a silvery or metallic sheen over the leaves, adding … Rex begonia (Begonia rex-cultorum) is a semi-tropical perennial plant normally grown as an outdoor container plant or houseplant. Almost all begonia species will readily sprout from leaf-tip cuttings. If planted in the garden (a relatively rare occurrence), rex begonia is grown as an annual in all but the warmest climates. Most rex begonias sold today are named hybrids, although they are not always labeled as such. Begonia rex should be watered when the soil or pot feels dry, but don’t wait until the plant starts to wilt. The Begonia Rex, also known as the Painted Leaf Begonia, is a stunning indoor plant that is very easy to care for. Rex begonias prefer light, rich soil. Debra LaGattuta is a certified master gardener with decades of experience with perennial and flowering plants, container gardening, and raised bed vegetable gardening. Rex begonias can be very demanding of just the right amount of water, food, and humidity. These plants are grown almost exclusively for their foliage—their blooms tend to be small and less showy, so many growers pinch off blooms to maintain breathtaking leaf displays. 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 frequently have large leaves (up to 6 inches long) that are brightly colored in various shades of green, red, silver, and even purple. Year-round house plant or warm season annual. 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. If the rhizome still has room to grow in its pot, the begonia should be considered happily potted. Boliviensis Begonia. Don’t feed at all during the winter. Begonia rex is sensitive to temperature changes and to temperatures below about 60 degrees Fahrenheit (16 Celsius). To prevent them, keep the plant well-trimmed and remove dead leaves from the surface of the planting mix. These beautiful plants come in many different colours, this particular variety boasts vibrant purple, and silver splashes of colour. Sometimes called painted-leaf begonias or fancy-leaf begonias, these plants are known for their showy, sometimes jaw-dropping leaf coloration. Rex begonias are grown for their colourful, dramatic foliage. Bacterial leaf spot, mildew, and botrytis can occur if the leaves stay wet. It’s better to cluster your plants, so they can create their own humid environment, or use a pebble tray. Rex begonias are rhizomatous plants that grow from a shallow and knobby rhizome. Use liquid fertilizer weekly at quarter strength or at half strength every two weeks. Avoid direct sunlight. You can keep them happy as houseplants or store them dormant over winter, as you would with other tender bulbs. Among the various types of begonias, the Begonia rex are some of the most beautiful and stunning plants. In most cases, a spray form of pesticide will take care of the issue. Rex begonias are rhizomatous begonias. Keep the plant moist, but avoid overwatering. Eventually, you'll figure out the right balance. These plants are grown almost exclusively … You can cut back on water during their dormant period in the winter, watering only when the pot dries out. Full sun to partial shade. Root rot can be a problem in wet areas. This article will show you the easiest way to propagate a rex begonia leaf. Growing Rex Begonias Indoors. Some types of rex begonias go into dormancy during the winter. Sometimes called painted-leaf begonias or fancy-leaf begonias, these plants are known for their showy, sometimes jaw-dropping leaf coloration. Begonia rex Boston Cherries & Chocolate: Red and silver spots appear on dark leaves. Even the best specimen plant can only be expected to thrive for a few years. Begonia rex Fireworks: Wing-shaped silver leaves are etched with purple. Jon VanZile is a Master Gardener and the author of "Houseplants for a Healthy Home.". 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. 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. 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. Bear Foot Farms EXCLUSIVE Begonia … They grow well in pots and hanging baskets in bright filtered light. This beautiful plant was introduced to cultivation in 1952 and has puckered leaves with a dark cross in the middle.