Rex Begonia, or cissus discolor is a showstopper and a nursery favorite. Angel-wing shaped leaves give way to mesmerizing Kaleidoscope veins and swirling leaflets! With the amount of begonia rex varieties that exist, everyone is sure to find one that speaks to them. A houseplant of this caliber requires a green thumb, so be sure to research before you decide to become its new parent! Do note that ALL begonias are toxic to pets, so make sure they are out of reach!
Adding more to its charm, begonia rex is native to the Himalayas, one of the most beautiful landscapes on earth. No wonder these plants look like they came straight out of a dream! Begonia rex do not tolerate direct light or soggy soil. A bright, north facing window is perfect for them to photosynthesize and keep those lovely colors vivid. Let them dry out in between waterings and watch out for limp leaves and discoloration. This is a symptom of overwatering. If your begonia is happy and healthy you will be rewarded with dainty pink flowers that are nothing short of whimsical.
A unique quirk of begonias is that they react poorly to standing water on their leaves. It promotes too much moisture which can lead to root rot and fungal issues. It’s a fine line to walk with a plant that loves humidity but hates water touching its foliage! The pebble tray method is a great choice for begonias. This is basically setting your plant atop a tray of pebbles with a layer of water underneath. It’ll evaporate and create a humid little microclimate around your plants!
If you find that your begonia is getting too leggy it’s time to chop and prop. Rex begonias are one houseplant that absolutely thrives after being cut back. The best part is that you can also cut the bare stems down to 3-4″ pieces and place them in a cup of water and watch as not only roots appear but so too will leaves that otherwise likely would not have grown in on the leggy plant! Now you have a healthier plant that will begin to flourish and new baby plants to add to your collection or gift to friends!
