How to Care for Begonia Rex?

Begonia Rex is a subtropical, perennial plant that is usually kept in pots as a houseplant. The species that are widely sold worldwide as Begonias are modified species of East Asian Begonias. Continue reading this article in TooPlant in order to learn more about how to grow and care for Begonia Rex.

Introduction of Begonia Rex (Rex Begonia)

Before addressing how to care for Begonia Rex, please allow us to give you a brief introduction about this houseplant.

Of all the begonias, Begonia Rex is one of the most beautiful plants. It is sometimes called painted leaf Begonia or fancy leaf Begonia. The leaves of the Begonia Rex are usually broad and large (about 12 cm) and are beautifully decorated with different colors of the green, red, silver and even purple families.

This plant is propagated because of its attractive leaves. Begonia Rex has colorful heart-shaped leaves that give a special effect to the environment and is a hardy plant that does not require much care. Only indirect sunlight and occasional pruning are sufficient for Begonia.

Begonias also bloom, but because they are small, gardeners usually separate them from the plant to make the leaves stand out better. Some types of Rex Begonia go into hibernation during the winter.

In this article, we want to provide you with information about how to care for Begonia Rex, so stay tuned with Tooplant.

Care for Begonia Rex

In this part, we will focus on the most important aspects which you need to take into consideration while treating this houseplant. The best methods of how to care for Begonia Rex include as follows:

Begonia Rex Light Requirements: What light is best for Begonia Rex?

Light is among the first important issues to care for Begonia Rex. As we said, Begonia Rex bloom is not very noticeable, so it can tolerate low light better than other types of Begonia. Fluorescent lamps can also meet Begonia Rex’s need for light.

One of the best places to put begonias is near an east/west window in the house. Rex Begonia house plant receives enough sunlight well and without damage in such a place. If you live in a place where spring and summer are not too hot, near a sunny north window is also a good place to be.

Rotate the plant pot every week so that all parts of it receive the same amount of sunlight. If you have a lack of natural light, you can get help from fluorescent lamps. Begonia Rex indoor plant grows well under this light, thus providing you with more options for home storage.

If the edges of the leaves turn brown and look burnt, it means that the begonia is too close to the window. If it has an unbalanced growth and its leaves are too long and inclined towards the light, it means that the light received for it is low.

So, as shown above, light plays a significant role to care for Begonia Rex.

Begonia Rex Watering: How often should you water a Rex Begonia?

In the rest, concerning the tips of caring for a Begonia Rex, it is better to know that determining when a plant needs watering is almost simple. However, the plant probably needs weekly watering, especially during the growing season. Therefore, watering is another important aspect in order to care for Begonia Rex. Look at the soil in the pot, and if the surface is dry, water it to the extent that excess is drained through the drainage holes under the pot. Normally, in warm seasons, this plant can be watered approximately once every three days, and in colder seasons, it can be watered at longer intervals.

The water given to begonia should not be too salty and use water such as rainwater, distilled water or water that has been resting for a few hours. Do not forget that if you always keep the plant soil moist, it will cause it to rot, and on the other hand, if you constantly leave it thirsty for water, it will wither. Yellowing or browning of the leaves is a sign of overwatering.

If you are using a pot for the plant, after all the excess water has accumulated in the pot; Empty it. You can also fill the pot with pebbles to absorb excess water and save the plant from getting wet. At the same time, its moisture is maintained and some of it is given to the ambient air.

Try to pour water only on the soil and do not wet the leaves, in this way to prevent the plant from contracting various diseases. If you water the plant at the beginning of the day, the leaves will have enough time to dry before the night temperature drops.

During the winter the plant is not in its active growth state. As a result, you should reduce the amount of watering to once every two or three weeks.

In this way, to care for Begonia Rex, watering is considered to be of great significance.

Begonia Rex Soil: What is the best soil for a Begonia Rex?

Intending to care for Begonia Rex, the other crucial matter is soil. The best composition for Begonia Rex is soil containing lots of perlite, fiber and other lightening compounds. Coal-based soil is better for Rex Begonia. If you can not find such soil, use a multi-purpose plant-based combination.

We do not recommend potting soil for begonias, as it is heavier than potted plants and has a strong tendency to retain moisture. As a result, air does not flow well in the soil and causes root rot.

Thus, it can be said that, soil is another basic and important issue so as to care for Begonia Rex.

Begonia Rex Temperature Tolerance

Now, we come to temperature which is assumed to be principal to care for Begonia Rex in addition to light, watering and soil that are mentioned above. Begonia Rex grows well at temperatures between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius. It stops growing as the temperature drops below 14 degrees Celsius Begonia does not like cold weather.

Begonia Rex Fertilizer: What is the best fertilizer for a Rex Begonia?

When you want to care for Begonia Rex, one of the important questions that may come to your mind is “what is the best fertilizer?” In what follows, we will address how to fertilize this plant:

Simultaneously with the resumption of plant growth in the spring, choose a multi-purpose fertilizer, water solvent for houseplants and add it to the plant with a quarter of the recommended strength. During this time, repeat this every two weeks.

You can also use multipurpose fertilizers with gentle release. In this case, you should renew the fertilization every three months.

With the arrival of autumn or early winter due to the plant entering dormancy, stop the fertilization process.

We recommend washing the plant soil thoroughly with clean, fresh water every three to four months. This washes away the salts that have accumulated in the soil due to fertilization and lightens the soil.

As a result, we could say that fertilizer is regarded as one of the fundamental issues when someone wants to care for Begonia Rex.

Begonia Rex Toxicity: Is Begonia Rex poisonous to humans and pets?

In order to care for Begonia Rex, toxicity is considered to be a major issue because it directly relates to your health especially children and pets. This plant contains calcium oxalate, a compound that is toxic to dogs and cats. This toxicity becomes problematic when the animals eat the plant, especially the lower parts of the soil. Complications of eating Rex Begonia include kidney failure, involuntary salivation, and nausea. So keep begonias out of the reach of children and pets.

Begonia Rex Pruning: How to prune Begonia Rex?

Another thing to keep in mind when caring for a Begonia Rex is pruning it. If you keep begonia as a perennial, pruning is a must. At the end of flowering, you should cut the branches of the plant to one third.

You can also prune the branches needed to shape the plant throughout the year. Some species of begonias bloom in winter, so you should postpone pruning until spring. Never prune begonia at the time of flowering because the plant needs all its leaves and branches to provide energy and maintain its flowers.

How Do You Care For Rex Begonia In The Winter?

If you keep Rex Begonia outdoors in the garden during the winter, you should remove it from the soil and wrap it in a tissue or newspaper, then store it in a box in a cool, dark place to plant it again in the next season.

But if you keep Begonia Rex in a pot, you can keep it indoors at room temperature during the winter. Just because of the heating devices, you should be careful about the dryness of the indoor air and try to keep the area around the plant a little moist.

How To Make Begonia Rex Fuller?

The first step to make Begonia Rex fuller is to prune the irregular branches. If your plant is young and small, you can force the plant to grow new and more by picking small and young leaves, and thus your plant will be denser.

Caring for Begonia Rex: Common Problems With Rex Begonia

After a description of taking care of a Begonia Rex, we will explain the problems and their solutions:

Why Are Begonia Rex Leaves Turning Yellow?

As “leaves turning yellow” is one of the common problems that you may face when you want to care for Begonia Rex, we will try to describe the reasons and the ways to solve it in details. The most important reason for the yellowing of Rex Begonia leaves is overwatering. If you give too much water to the plant or allow the plant to come into contact with the water collected under the pot, its leaves will turn yellow. Overwatering of the soil can cause root rot and poor plant water uptake, which will cause the leaves to turn yellow.

Excessive and direct light can also cause Begonia Rex leaves to turn yellow. If the plant is exposed to too much and prolonged exposure to direct sunlight for a long time, it will suffer from sunburn and yellowing of the leaves.

Why Are Begonia Rex Leaves Turning Brown?

Excessive dryness is one of the main reasons for the browning of the edges of begonia leaves. This plant needs a moist environment and is damaged by excessive dryness of the soil or the surrounding environment. Adequate humidity, especially in winter when the heating equipment is on, can prevent the plant from turning brown.

Since “leaves turning brown” is another common problem that you may face when you want to care for Begonia Rex, we tried to describe the reasons and the ways to solve it in details. 

Why Are Rex Begonia Leaves Dropping?

The main reason for the fall of Begonia Rex leaves and its rot is high water content. Begonia stems have the ability to store water, so they are very sensitive to high watering and moisture and are damaged by it. Overwatering can make these stems swell and soften, causing the plant’s leaves to fall off.

Why Is My Rex Begonia Not Blooming?  (How to Get Begonia Rex to Bloom?)

This plant needs good and complete care for flowering. In order for begonia to flower, it must be provided with sufficient light, suitable water and a pleasant temperature. Flowering in plants is hard work and energy-intensive, and if the plant can not get the necessary energy, it becomes weak for flowering and loses its ability.

A sunny but indirect environment, normal room temperature and normal watering can force your Rex Begonia to flower.

Infographic Of How To Care For Begonia Rex

In this article, we tried to explain to you in an infographic the essential tips in the care of Begonia Rex, so that you can briefly and usefully learn the methods of caring for this plant.

In The End

In this article, we tried to provide you with the necessary information about the methods of caring for a Begonia Rex.

However, if you have any questions regarding this indoor plant or you need to get advice from our houseplant experts, please share your questions with us through the comments section below.