Begonia Rex Plant Care Tips

Begonia Rex Lighting & Position

Begonias like bright indirect light but no direct sun. Sufficient light helps the leaves and flowers develop a more intense color. Insufficient light causes the plant to become leggy and prevents flowering. When light is too intense, the edges of the leaves of Begonia curl and turn brown.

Begonia Rex Watering

Don’t overwater your begonias! Let the soil dry out almost completely between waterings. To monitor this, you can use your finger to poke into the top 5 cm of potting mix and feel the soil moisture level. An underwatered begonia can be revived by a good drink but over watering can lead to more serious fungal issues or root rot. During winter, when the plant isn’t in an active growing phase you should reduce watering frequency even more.

As with all plants, drainage is essential. Ensure that whatever vessel your plant is in, there are sufficient holes in the bottom to allow excess water to freely drain from the pot and away from the plant’s roots. 

Begonia Rex Humidity

Most begonias will do fine with a normal to moderate level of ambient humidity. Keep them clear of heaters, aircon or draughty windows and door in the house – this dries out the air and can damage their leaves. If your begonia does show signs of humidity stress, such as browning or rolled leaf margins you may need to increase the ambient humidity. Some tips for achieving this include grouping plants together, placing pots on a pebble tray or – if you want to go all out – buy a small humidifier online and place it in amongst your rainforest friends!

N.b. It’s best not to mist your begonias, excess water sitting on the leaf can lead to fungal issues including powdery mildew and leaf spot. 

Begonia Rex Fertiliser

Feed with liquid fertiliser fortnightly over the warm, growing period and not at all over the cooler winter months.

We recommend using our Plant Food available here. 

Begonia Rex Extra Tips

 Once a month you can wipe down the plants leaves using a damp cloth to clean away any dust that has collected and may be preventing the leaves from breathing. It’s completely normal for older leaves, lower down on the stem of the plant, to fade in colour and brown off as they age. Prune off any damaged or dying leaves using a sharp pair of scissors or secateurs so that the plant can put more energy into the newer, healthier growth.

Begonia Rex Toxicity

The ASPCA lists Rex Begonias as toxic to both cats and dogs. Bummer!  

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