Take Your Pick.
All About Begonias.
Begonia Maculata “Polka Dot.”
Begonia “Baby Dress.”
Begonia “Tiger Paw.”
Rex Begonia “Jolly Silver.”
Rex Begonia Shadow King “Cool White.”
Rex Begonia “Spitfire.”
Begonia “Sophia.”
Begonia “Gryphon.”
Begonia “Autumn Ember.”
Begonia Unknown.
Rex Begonia “Silver Limbo.”
Photos.
About Begonias.
Begonias are a huge and varied genus that includes more than 1200 (possibly up to 1800!) species and hybrids. They are heavily hybridized due to the ease and success with which they cross. Begonias are a very well studied group that have been bred over time to make wonderful houseplants. Begonia species come from all over the world, so it’s nearly impossible to find a one-size-fits-all care guide for such a massive genus. Some Begonias prefer dry conditions, others live in tropical or subtropical environments under rocky overhangs or deep in the understory. Some Begonias are perfectly happy in household conditions and others require environments that are best replicated inside a terrarium.
Begonias are often grown as annuals for their fluffy, showy flowers, but there are also some tender perennial varieties that can live in zones 9-11. Then, of course, there are those that are grown as foliage houseplants. The best route to success with Begonias is to know what you are growing so you can provide adequate care. It can be said, however, that there is a Begonia for every type of grower if only he, she or, they choose to find their Begonia soulmate(s).
Listed here are a few of the Begonia varieties that are commonly seen or especially suitable for indoor growing.
Rex Begonias
Rex Begonias are grown for their gorgeous foliage. They are multicolored and have stunning patterns, textures and shapes to their leaves. Rex begonias are commonly available as indoor or outdoor plants, and can easily be found at most nurseries, often with many varieties from which to choose. Rex begonias are great choices for low light spots in your home. They have a remarkable adaptation, taking physical shape in the form of iridescent leaves, that allows them to maximize the low light that they receive. The blooms of Rex Begonias are less showy than other Begonia species, they’re more of a foliage-lover’s plant. Many people feel that Rex Begonias are difficult houseplants, but if you have never tried to grow one, don’t let that opinion be a detractor. Rex Begonias can pout or lose leaves when their environment changes, but often they’ll bounce back after an adjustment period. Losing the older leaves is not uncommon as you learn to get in sync with the plant’s watering needs. As for light, a Rex begonia is not nearly as fussy as it is with watering. It truly can live in low light and even under grow lights - it has that amazing adaptation on its side. If normal household temperatures are not met (60-70 degrees indoors), Rex Begonia can go dormant in the winter. Noteworthy: Rex begonia is not a vining plant. Some might have seen a plant called “Rex Begonia Vine,” but this plant is Cissus Discolor, which belongs in the Grape family. The resemblance is coincidental and there is not a shared genus.
Fibrous-rooted Begonias
This section accounts for several varieties of Begonias such as Cane Begonias, dragon wing begonias, and wax begonias to name a few. These varieties have what we might consider a more traditional fibrous root system. There is no tuber or rhizome, which will be covered later. These plants are well-suited to be houseplants as long as the temperature and humidity are sufficient. These varieties feed more heavily than other Begonias, so a good houseplant fertilizer should be used to prevent them from getting leggy or dropping leaves due to nutrient deficiency. With proper care, these plants can be long lived and get large.
Cane Begonias
The ever-popular Angel Wing Begonias are known as Cane Begonias. They are prolific growers in the right conditions and can reach several feet high. They take well to propagation and root fairly easily. Anatomically, Angel Wing Begonias often have large, beautifully patterned leaf pairs, or “wings,” that hang on bamboo-like canes. The canes are fibrous and can get woody with age. Cane Begonias feed more heavily than other Begonias, and without proper nutrients they can become leggy. This is an opportune time to cut and propagate the Cane Begonia and later, after proper rooting, plant the established cutting back into the original pot. It isn’t a good idea to put the cuttings into the original pot to root because the cutting will require a more abundant supply of water than the mother plant, which could lead to root rot in the mother.
Dragon Wing Begonias
Despite being considered one-in-the-same by many, Angel Wing Begonias and Dragon Wing Begonias are different. In fact, the Angel Wing Begonia was crossed with the Wax Begonia to create the Dragon Wing Begonia. The dragon wings have the canes and general leaf shape of an Angel Wing, but a waxy look and feel like the Wax Begonia. The leaves and canes are softer in shape and form like the Wax begonia, with the “wings” having softer edges and a more plump structure. The canes are fleshy and droop under the weight of the leaves and flowers. Dragon Wing Begonias love well draining soil. They can make a nice houseplant, just like their parents. It’s best to provide them with bright light, but not direct sun. This plant will spread out a bit, so it’ll need plenty of room as well.
Semperflorens, or Wax Begonias
Wax begonias are commonly seen as annuals in many growing zones. They can be grown as a tender perennial in zones 10-11. They have showy blooms and waxy looking foliage. In the midwest, it’s common to see these sold by the flat for mass plantings. They look beautiful once they’ve filled out and created a uniform planting bed. They’re commonly seen in red, white and pink varieties. They’re best in part sun. If it’s too sunny, they’ll burn and if the conditions are too shady, they’re less likely to flower. They like good drainage. Although there are more popular choices for indoor growing, Wax Begonias can be grown as houseplants.
Rhizomatous Begonias
These Begonias grow leaves from a brown, heavily textured rhizome or rhizomes that emerge from the soil. The rhizome can coil and creep out of the pot as it grows. It can be cut to encourage a full, more bushy plant. As with Cane Begonias, it is better to root the rhizome cutting in a separate pot before eventually potting it back with the mother plant if desired. The cutting and the mother will have different watering needs and it’s best for the cutting to have a functional root system before it’s introduced to the pot of an established plant. Rhizomatous Begonias are another good choice for a houseplant. They can have foliage with amazing patterns and colors. Like Rex Begonias (which can be rhizomatous), they’re grown for foliage rather than for their blooms. They enjoy diffused light, and any direct sun will be too intense for their fleshy stems and foliage. Rhizomatous Begonias respond very well to grow lights, so they make a good choice for anyone living in a situation with less than ideal light. LED grow lights will not produce heat that could prove stressful, and the perfect consistent light is available if the plant is placed at a proper distance from the bulb. If adequate light and household temperatures are not maintained (60-70 degrees) these Begonias can go dormant in the winter.
Tuberous Begonias
Tuberous Begonias grow from a tuber, or bulb. They are a finicky variety of Begonia, and they are grown for their large, eye-catching flowers. The flowers come in several varieties including a double bloom and one resembling a carnation. These plants like things just right. Not too windy, but not too stagnant. Not too sunny or too shady. Not too wet or too dry. Not too hot or too cold. They can be challenging, but the payoff is in the flowers. They’re seen in colors of red, peach, pink, white and yellow. Tuberous Begonias are grown as annuals, but they can live in zones 9-11. They’re seen in hanging baskets or planters because the tubers must be started indoors or in a greenhouse before the last frost of the season. This gives the plants the best opportunity for growth and the longest season possible for flowering. The tubers can be dug up at the end of the season and overwintered for use the following year.
The care of your Begonia is dependent upon the type of plant you own. A Rex Begonia will be fine in lower light conditions, but you might need to give your cane Begonia more light.
Below you’ll find an assortment of Begonias that I grow and how I care for them. If you can ID the pink one…Please, for the love, let me know!
Begonia Maculata “Polka Dot”
This Begonia is from Costa Farm’s Trending Tropicals Collection. It’s so gorgeous, I wish I had bought more. This plant likes humidity and consistent watering. As a cane Begonia, it also appreciates regular fertilizer. It’s a fast grower, and without the fertilizer it tends to get leggy. The leaves are large and have a substantial weight and feel, so it might also be necessary to support the canes with bamboo stakes or your favorite support system. It likes a light soil, nothing heavy or poorly draining. This is a plant that can reach several feet in height if the conditions are right, and repotting will be necessary along the way. If you want to keep your plant smaller, it propagates easily. The canes can be cut to the desired height and the cuttings can be put in water or soil to root. Once the cuttings have rooted, it’s safe to put them back with the original plant or allow them to become a new plant.
Begonia “Baby Dress”
Begonia “Baby Dress” has striking lime green foliage with maroon patterns at the leaf edges. This plant responds very well to indoor conditions. It’s a great houseplant for both its visual interest and its acceptance of the indoor environment. This plant gets no special treatment and it still thrives. There is no supplementary humidity, and no hovering over it to check for watering. It’s low maintenance.
Begonia “Tiger Paw”
Begonia “Tiger Paw” is a great houseplant. It accepts low to medium light and enjoys regular watering after the soil dries out. Under more light, the leaves are brighter green. If the light is lower, the leaves take more of the brownish maroon shade. This is definitely a Begonia, like fellow rhizomatous Begonia Autumn Ember, that becomes more vibrant under bright light. The rhizomes on this and any rhizomatous Begonia can become unruly and eventually begin growing over the edge of the pot. It is fine to trim them back, it won’t harm the plant. Although this plant isn’t as heavy a feeder as some other Begonias, it’s beneficial to fertilize at least once a month with half strength fertilizer.
Rex Begonia “Jolly Silver”
This rhizomatous Begonia Rex lives exclusively under grow lights, and has for almost a year. In fact, this plant was very difficult to please before it finally found conditions of which it approved in the underground. It was initially living in a low lit bathroom where two other Rex begonias live happily. It wasn’t going to cut it for this Rex, however, and now it gets 14 hours of timed lights per day. Due to the conditions being relatively the same in light and temperature all year, the watering schedule for this plant is also predictable. It’s watered every 7-10 days currently. It’s fertilized less often than the other Begonias, as the growth is slower. It does, however, put out new growth all year. It would be fine to cut the rhizomes that are spilling over the pot, which I will do eventually. I’ll check the viability and possibly propagate them. With more light, the leaves have more silver and less green.
Rex Begonia Shadow King “Cool White”
Shadow King Rex begonias are a registered series of plants that have been bred to achieve certain goals. They are intended to remain an upright growth habit, maintain a smaller shape, and be especially tolerant of low light conditions. This “Cool White” has more vibrant color as a lower light houseplant than it would if it was outside in part sun. With more light, the leaves are almost completely white as the name suggests. This plant grows with jungle cacti because the care needs are similar. The light is mostly northern, so it is consistent but it isn’t intense. It lives near a humidifier and is watered just as the soil dries out. It isn’t fed heavily.
Rex Begonia “Spitfire”
This is the oldest Begonia we have at four years old. It lives in an exceptionally low light environment that also houses another Begonia Rex “Spitfire.” This “Spitfire” receives less light than the other, which causes the leaves to have more green. The second “Spitfire” has a deeper hot pink color to the leave and far less green. Both plants are very iridescent, an adaptation that allows low light plants to maximize the light that they do receive. This has always been a small plant (less than 4” at purchase) and it hasn’t grown much in its four years. It regularly puts out new leaves. For a while it would get brown tips, but after years adapting to its home, it hasn’t gotten a crispy tip in ages. This plant is proof that Begonia Rex might be a picky plant, but it is remarkably adaptable both in terms of light and overall environmental conditions.
Begonia “Sophia”
Sophia is an Angel Wing Begonia of the Cane variety. She lives outdoors until the fall, which won’t help describe the experience of growing her as a houseplant. One thing that does not change with her environment, however, is her need for fertilizer. Cane Begonias need to be fertilized about twice a month with half strength fertilizer. They are heavy feeders, but it’s best to be cautious and avoid overfeeding and overwatering. Sophia will get an update this winter after she’s spent some time indoors.
Begonia “Gryphon”
This plant can grow quickly and reach several feet in height. Using a stake is helpful as the plant can become lopsided and difficult to keep upright due to its weight. The foliage has striking multicolored fingers that darken with age. They emerge reddish maroon or green and eventually darken to purples and grays. This plant lives in an east window where it has been for happy six seasons. The gentle morning light has provided great sustenance, and it requires less water than expected for its size. There is no supplementary humidity for this plant, and it hasn’t suggested that it needs it. This plant has never developed brown crispy edges, even when transitioning from an outdoor plant to a houseplant. This is a versatile plant that does very well as a houseplant if you can accommodate the size. This plant was purchased after already being over two feet tall, and has since grown another foot. It has a trunk like a tree with foliage sprouting from the top, but it probably could have been a more bushy plant had it been cut back before it became so tall.
Begonia “Autumn Ember”
This Rhizomatous hybrid Begonia is in the process of being patented by Logee’s. The best information can be found on their webpage since they created this popular hybrid, but to echo some of their advice - this compact variety likes to dry out between waterings. It has small pink flowers, and to get the brightest orange foliage, it needs bright light. The Rhizomes can be cut back so the plant keeps a tidy form.
Begonia Unknown
There was some talk at the greenhouse that the name might be “Big Red,” but that remains unverified. The mature foliage has a more pink appearance, but the new foliage and stems is a deep red. This plant likes bright indirect light and household temperatures. It spent a few days outside during a transitional period, and it didn’t enjoy the heat. Temperatures in the 60s - 70s have been comfortable for this plant. Humidity hasn’t been an issue. It has been in an area where there is no supplementary humidity and it’s remained happy.
Rex Begonia “Silver Limbo”
Details coming soon!
Coming Soon!
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Photos.
Dragon Leaf Begonia at Koraleski Flowers.
Wax Begonias at Koraleski Flowers.
Wax Begonias at Lakewood Flower Market.
Tuberous Begonias at Koraleski Flowers.
Rex Begonias at Koraleski Flowers.
My second Begonia Rex “Spitfire” that receives more light than the first.
Begonia Sources:
General:
Semperflorens:
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a562
Difference between Angel Wing and Dragon Wing:
Podcast - Bloom and Grow Radio, Episode 92
Iridescence:
https://www.nature.com/articles/538431a