Rex Begonia (King Begonia)

Have you heard of the Rex Begonia? We hope you are now more familiar with and appreciative of this type of Begonia plant by the end of this article. You will consider this plant your next baby with its beautiful leaves and flowers. Let’s dive in!

Rex Begonia, among the other types of Begonia, is considered by some people the most beautiful. It is a perennial in tropical and semitropical regions. It originated from the forests of Northern India.

Varieties of Rex Begonia

There is a variety of Rex Begonias available out there. We listed down some of our favorites for your easy reference.

• Red Kiss Rex Begonia – This type of Rex Begonia is typically small-leaved. It has bright metallic red and a large black area in the center of the leaves. This type is highland and might require cold nights and bright daylight for the red tone to come out. Since it has red-colored leaves, the plant can have difficulty photosynthesizing, making it a slow-growing plant.
• Flamenco Rex Begonia – This variety has delightful silver-green leaves accented with red and green veins. This plant can grow up to 8 inches tall. Flamenco Rex Begonia prefers medium to bright indirect sunlight. Another vital care tip for this plant is to increase the humidity of its environment during the winter season. If your area lacks humidity during winter, your plant’s leaves may turn brown.
• Ballet Rex Begonia – This type of Rex Begonia showcases beautiful silvery-green leaves edged in mid-green. It also has reddish stems that add glow to your plant. Like most succulents, regular watering is crucial to your plant’s health. Just ensure you are not overwatering your plant to avoid any severe damage.

Morphological Characteristics of Rex Begonia

This type of Begonia is distinguished by its dark leaves with silver-grey stripes. Rex Begonia has exquisite flowers typically planted for their vibrant color and unique textured leaves. It is a known indoor plant, so you must care for Rex Begonia indoors. They have rhizomatous roots. A rhizome is a thickened stem that produces leaves. it can grow up to 12 to 18 inches tall. They have large leaves that grow up to 6 inches.

The leaves have vibrant colors ranging from green, red, silver, or purple. Rex Begonia produces small flowers. Usually, some gardeners remove these flowers to allow Rex Begonia’s leaves to breathe. Like most types of Begonias, Rex Begonia is considered toxic. This type of plant is perennial, with about 2 to 3 years to live.

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How To Care For A Rex Begonia

Your Rex Begonia prefers bright indirect sunlight all year round. They are not aggressive bloomers and can tolerate less light than other types of Begonias. Using a grow light also helps for this type of plant.

This plant thrives in moderate temperatures of around 60 to 7 degrees Fahrenheit. They also like moderately high humidity at around 50 percent. You must note that your Rex Begonia’s growth is slower in freezing temperatures as its dormant season is winter due to the lack of sunlight.

The ideal amount of fertilizer to feed your Plant is a liquid fertilizer with a quarter-strength or half-strength every two weeks. A fast-draining, light, and airy soil mixture is preferred for your Rex Begonia to thrive beautifully.

You may want to water your plant regularly and avoid overwatering them. Ensure that your plant does not stay on wet soil for too long. Check if the soil is dry before watering your Rex Begonia. Make sure to keep the soil slightly moist than wet or overly dry.

Rex Begonia Growth

Your Rex Begonia needs a pot with proper draining holes to avoid soaking in the water for too long. Root rot and other problems may occur when clogging water at the bottom of your pot. Rex Begonia thrives in large pots with plenty of room for its rhizome to develop. It is time to transfer your plant into the new soil when it grows.

Your Rex Begonia can be propagated through leaf cuttings and water. Below are the step-by-step ways for your easy reference.

1. Rex Begonia Propagation Through Cuttings

• Remove the Plant’s tuber from the pot with enough and careful effort.
• Remove any excess soil and check for any bud on the rhizome.
• Using a knife, cut apart the tuber, leaving at least three developing eyes on each piece.
• Apply fungicide to each surface root to avoid infection.
• Fill an 8-inch diameter pot with a well-draining soil mixture.
• Plant the tuber in each container, and plant the root on a flat surface.
• Make sure that the soil is moist but not soggy or watery.

2. Rex Begonia Propagation In Water

• Take cuttings around 4 inches long.
• Cut off the stem just below the node.
• Use clean garden scissors to remove the lower leave, leaving only a couple at the top of the cutting.
• Place the cutting in freshwater, with the cut-end down.
• You may expect roots to develop after a month or less.
• Wait until the roots grow up to a couple of inches long before planting on a pot.

Common Problems and Solutions

The most common problem for your Rex Begonia is root rot. A variety of symptoms might be visible to your plant if it was infected due to root rot. Usual signs are blackened and rotting roots, darkened foliage, and collapsing crown. To prevent root rot, it is advisable to prepare a watering schedule for your plant not to overwater it. Another solution is to ensure that you are using well-draining soil.

Rex Begonia, like most begonias, is considered toxic. Although most of its toxic parts are underground, keeping these plants away from animals is best. It is advisable never to keep them unattended to avoid any possible ingestion incident. When ingested, your pets may suffer from Kidney Failure, vomiting, and salivation. When this incident happens, give proper care and attention to pets for the next 48 hours.

Mealybugs and spider mites are the most common pests that love your Rex Begonia. Mealybugs steal the hydration of your plant by sipping into the sap and leaving your plant with no nutrition. As for spider mites, they aren’t insects but arachnids. Most of the time, these aren’t visible to the human eyes, making them hard to detect. Same to mealybugs, spider mites also feed on the plant’s sap.

In terms of diseases, among the most common is powdery mildew. This is mainly caused by fungi build-up due to humid conditions or poor air circulation. This disease is also prominent in environments with high temperatures. Removing all the infected leaves or stems is advisable to avoid affecting the other parts of your Rex Begonia. To further revert this situation, it is also advisable to maintain good air ventilation and ensure that your plant is getting enough sunlight.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Rex Begonia

• How fast does Rex Begonia grow?

Typically, this plant grows at a medium speed. However, having enough space for your plant to grow is crucial to maximizing its growth. This is where pruning plays a significant role.

• Why is my Begonia Plant always dying?

The most common reasons your Rex Begonia is not thriving and instead keeps dying are overwatering and underwatering. Most succulents who experienced overwatering often do not survive and eventually die. That’s why a proper watering schedule is beneficial for your plant.

Also, read more:

• What to do When Succulent Leaves are Splitting?
• Getting To Know The Beautiful Bulb Succulent ‘Ledebouria Pauciflora’
• What Is A Dish Garden? Succulent Dish Garden Ideas That Are Easy & Practical

Final Words

As we end this article, we hope you have a clearer vision of Rex Begonia. Understanding how to care for it is also crucial if you consider getting this plant as your new plant baby. Read more about Begonia plants on Succulent City? See some suggestions below: