Begonia rex, foliage worthy of a Maharaja's jewels
Begonia rex
- Exposure
- Half-shade
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 11b (7.2°C ≤ T° < 10°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Family
- Begonias Begoniaceae
- Genus
- Begonia
- Species
- Royal Begonia Begonia rex
Many botanical species have their own king or queen. Among the Begoniaceae family, the sovereign originated in Assam, a mountainous state in northern India. Named Begonia rex, it reigns supreme in the kingdom of plant enthusiasts thanks to its evergreen foliage with silvery hues.
How can you recognize Begonia rex, the royal begonia?
Begonia rex is a rhizomatous begonia with an upright, compact growth habit. Whether grown in a pot or in the ground, it does not exceed 50 centimeters in height.
The leaves are borne on red, downy petioles. Asymmetrical and oval—sometimes heart-shaped—they have serrated margins. The leaves themselves are also covered in a fine fuzz.
The botanical variety—the royal begonia, discovered in India in the 19th century—features green leaves streaked with silvery bands. The underside is purple, similar to begonia maculata. But since it left its mountain home, Begonia rex has given rise to hundreds of hybrids and cultivars. The most spectacular? Begonia 'Escargot with its spirally curled leaf blades, or Begonia 'Fireworks,' adorned with shades of purple and pink.
In the wild, flowering occurs in late winter. Panicles of pink flowers crown the foliage.
Some species of begonias are used in cooking or traditional medicine. But not the royal begonia. It is toxic if ingested. If you live with young children or pets, keep the plant out of their reach.
Our care tips
The Rex Begonias are tropical plants. They need high humidity but don't like wet foliage. You shouldn't mist them or water their leaves. And to keep their shape harmonious, remember to turn the pot a quarter turn every month.
Watering
Your Royal Begonia tolerates thirst better than excess water. Water only when the soil is three to five centimeters dry. Choose moderate rather than heavy watering, and always use non-calcareous water at room temperature.
If you use a planter or saucer, drain off any stagnant water. It can rot the roots.
Misting
Your Begonia rex hates wet foliage. Don't mist the plant.
Repotting
In spring, transfer your Begonia rex to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.
Your Royal Begonia likes it cramped. Re-pot when the roots escape from the pot or have colonized the entire space.
Choose a pot with holes two or three centimetres wider and deeper than the previous one. Pour a drainage layer (clay balls, gravel, small pebbles, etc.) in the bottom.
Top up with potting soil for green plants, enhanced with perlite or sand. Plant your Begonia rex in the center and add substrate.
Top up with potting soil for green plants, enhanced with perlite or sand. Plant your Begonia rex in the center and add substrate.
Fertilization
You can stimulate the development of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.
Dilute green plant fertilizer with water.
Prune
Remove flowers when they bloom. Their growth is detrimental to that of the foliage.
Taking cuttings
Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.
Take a fifteen-centimeter section of stem or liana with at least three leaves.
Once you have obtained your cutting, place it in a vase or glass filledwith water at room temperature. Make sure the node is completely submerged.
Place your cutting in a bright spot, but out of direct sunlight. Change the water regularly to keep it clear.
Place your cutting in a bright spot, but out of direct sunlight. Change the water regularly to keep it clear.
Diseases / Threats
Information
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Exposure
- Half-shade
- Substrate
- Humus soil
- Planting method
- In pots
- Categories
- IndoorHerbaceous
- Tags
- Cold-sensitiveToxic
- Origin
- South Asia
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 11b (7.2°C ≤ T° < 10°C)
- Leaf colors
- Dark greenLight greenWhiteRedRoseCreamSilverPurple
- Flower color
- Rose
Discover plants from the same family
Begonia 'Escargot
Begonia rex 'Escargot'
Begonia 'Ferox
Begonia rex 'Ferox'
Begonia maculata 'Wightii'
Begonia maculata ‘Wightii’
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
