Featured Plant of the Week (Rex Begonias)

If there's one plant that is truly deserving of its name, it must be the Rex Begonia. The vivid foliage, fascinating patterns, and rich textures of their leaves beg for the eye's attention. It has become a popular house plant since it entered cultivation, and today there are countless hybrids and cultivars. Keep reading to learn more about the king of Begonias.

The Rex Begonia entered cultivation entirely by chance, when in the 1850's one stowed away by germinating on an orchid that had been shipped across the oceans. It came from a place in the foothills of the Himalaya's called Assam, India, and their destination was England. It arrived in the midst of a plant collecting mania that had taken hold in Victorian England, and as such was an instant hit. Though the species was previously unknown to the English, it was quickly recognized as something unique and given the scientific name Begonia rex in 1857. In Latin, the word rex means 'king'; appropriate for the purple and burgundy leaves that seem gilded with silver and black.

Like many Begonia species, Rex is rhizomatus. A rhizome is a stem that grows horizontally either under or above ground to create new roots and shoots at its nodes. This means that its root system is fairly shallow and that the plant grows along the ground, making it a feasible ground cover. Unlike most of its relatives however, it forms very small and almost completely inconsequential flowers. This is no disadvantage though, as anyone would agree the plant's appeal definitely lies with its striking foliage. In this way Rex can provide color regardless of how many blooms it's producing.

This trait combined with the plant's preference for shady places has probably contributed to its popularity as an indoor house plant. Advances in cultivation have produced varieties of Rex that can tolerate wider swings in temperature, and lower humidity than what the plant's native habitat provides, further enhancing its appeal as an indoor plant.

Despite these advances, caring for Rex Begonias can still be a bit of a balancing act. For example, it still prefers its environment to be comparatively humid, but misting is not a good option to maintain this because the plant is susceptible to bacterial spotting on the leaves. Putting the plant over a pan of water is a good way to increase humidity if the air is too dry. Direct sunshine will kill the species pretty reliably, so a shady place with indirect or diffuse light is best. Less light also helps bring out the coloration on the leaves, so this will also help it look its best. A peaty potting medium is the best option when replanting it, as this helps with keeping it watered just the right amount. Water Rex Begonias too much and letting those rhizomes mentioned earlier soak will cause rotting. On the other hand allowing the potting medium to dry out will cause the plant to follow suit very shortly. So, keep the soil moist.

Despite how daunting it sounds to care for Rex Begonia, it's still not too difficult. Rex could probably be best described as an 'intermediate' plant.

You can find Rex Begonias in 4 and 6 inch grower's pots at BloomRite® Gardens now, for $2.95 and $6.95 per pot, respectively.