Plant Profile

Rex Bogonia

a.k.a. Painted-leaf begonia

The Rex Begonia is a beautiful and unique indoor plant known for its highly decorative foliage. The plant features large leaves with intricate patterns of colors and shapes in shades of green, red, silver, and purple. The Rex Begonia is a compact plant that grows up to 12 inches in height, making it a perfect addition to small indoor spaces or fairy gardens. With its showy appearance, the Rex Begonia is a must-have for plant collectors.

Top Tips

✔ Keep the Rex Begonia away from direct sunlight and heat sources, which can damage the leaves.


✔ Always water the Rex Begonia from the bottom, allowing the roots to absorb all the water they need and preventing overwatering.


✔ Keep the Rex Begonia in a high-humidity environment to keep the leaves healthy and lush.

 

Plant Care

  • The Rex Begonia prefers bright, indirect light, but can also tolerate low-light conditions. Too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, so it is best to keep the plant out of direct sunlight. A north-facing window or a spot that receives dappled light is perfect for the Rex Begonia.

  • The Rex Begonia can be a little demanding when it comes to watering. Overwatering can lead to root rot, while under-watering can cause the leaves to wilt and drop. It is essential to keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged. Always make sure that the top inch of soil is dry to the touch before watering. Water the plant from the bottom, placing the pot in a tray of water for a few minutes, allowing the roots to soak up the water.

  • Enjoys high humidity levels. It thrives in the moist, warm environment of a terrarium, making it an ideal choice for planting in a closed terrarium. Alternatively, you can increase the humidity level around the plant by misting the leaves with water regularly.

  • The Rex Begonia needs to be fertilised regularly during the growing season (spring and summer). A balanced liquid fertiliser can be used every two weeks to maintain its health and growth.

  • Is toxic to both pets, so it is best to keep it out of reach of pets.

  • The Rex Begonia can be propagated from leaf cuttings. Ensure that the leaf cutting is from a healthy plant with no visible signs of disease. Place the stem of the leaf into a moist potting mix or a glass of water, ensuring that the cut end is submerged. Keep the potting mix moist, but not waterlogged, and the glass of water topped up. Small plantlets will begin to grow from the cut end in a few weeks.

Quick plant check up

 

Wilting leaves

 

If the Rex Begonia's leaves start to wilt, it's a sign of under-watering. Water the plant thoroughly, and the foliage should perk back up again.

Leaf drop

 

If the Rex Begonia's leaves start to drop, it's a sign of overwatering. Check the soil moisture level, reduce watering, and ensure that the plant has good drainage.

Blisters on the leaves

 

If you see blisters on the Rex Begonia's leaves, it could be the result of too much direct sunlight or a lack of humidity. Move the plant to a location with less direct sunlight, or increase the humidity levels around the plant with a humidifier or by misting the leaves regularly.

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