The Green Corner

5 Tips to Keep Begonia Rex Alive & Thriving

Begonia Ferox Pot

Begonia rex is one of the most stunning and striking varieties of begonia among all other species. These plants, sometimes painted-leaf begonias or fancy-leaf begonia rex, are distinguished by their variegated leaves. They usually have huge, 6-inch-long leaves that are vividly colored in various green, red, silver, and sometimes purple tones.

Begonia rex is a cheerful, easy-going houseplant native to tropical areas and equally pleasing to the sight. However, to make them look lush and fresh all the time, you need to take good care of them. Factors like humidity levels, fertilizer, watering techniques, and quantity play an essential role in growing a healthy plant. Here are a few tips to make your king begonia grow faster, healthier, and better.

1. Keep at a place with indirect sunlight.

All year long, Rex begonias prefer indirect yet bright light. They can handle less light than other begonias and do well under fluorescent lights because they are not aggressive bloomers. The foliage and flowers of this plant become more vibrant when kept in enough light.

You should try to limit your exposure to direct sunlight at times of the year when it is strongest or if you reside in a region with intense sun. You may easily position the plant a few feet away from a window that gets a lot of direct sunlight or use sheer drapes to block off the light. The foliage might burn from too much direct sunlight.

2. Fertilizer requirement

Of course, Begonia rex needs fertilizers to thrive. The plant will benefit from the additional feed if you desire to keep it well-nourished. Depending on your plant’s requirements, you can apply fertilizer every week or every two weeks. Don’t forget to dilute it to half or quarter strength. Ensure to use the apt ratio to avoid overfertilizing your plant.

3. Give distilled water to your Begonia Rex.

The purity of the tap water should be apt for growing rex begonias successfully. Rex begonias have no mechanism for dealing with salt loads. Hence hard water with significant mineral salt concentration causes leaf edges to burn.

When provided with hard water, salt in them moves it to the leaves’ margins, where it evaporates and leaves the same salts in the pores. The buildup makes the leaf margins dark and lifeless. Using distilled water or rainfall will solve the problem if your neighborhood has hard tap water.

4. Correct humidity level and temperature

Rex begonias thrive at temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit with a comparatively elevated humidity level. Freezing conditions will inhibit growth, and the absence of light throughout the winter causes some begonia varieties to enter a dormant stage.

5. Pruning and cutting requirements

Since begonia rex proliferates and can go up to several inches tall, good begonia rex care entails routine trimming. Cut the primary stem or excessive growths off at the ground level. To guarantee the plant grows more fully and healthily, look for weak, damaged, or diseased leaves.

Wrapping Up

See, it is not that challenging to care for begonia rex. Keep these little tips in mind if you have this plant at home or are planning to buy one soon. If you want to purchase begonia rex, you can find it in any plant nursery nearby.