Why grow rex begonia?
The neat thing about rex begonias ( Begonia rex - cultorum ) is that there ’s a huge variety of colors and approach pattern , folio physical body , size and texture to choose from . They do bloom but those dainty blooms are n’t the main attracter . They can also be grow indoors or out ! The ingathering of rex begonia above showcases some of thegorgeous foliageyou can find . Scroll down to see a photo gallery of our favorites that shows even more variety . ( Just a bill , these are the colour you could expect from mature specimen . youthful plants are n’t always as colorful when you first get them , but are deserving the wait ! ) While growing rex begonia is usually pretty gentle , I talk with a few expert growers to get their advice and ensure achiever with these leaf beauties .
How to grow rex begonias indoors
Rex begonia are tender perennial that are only frigid hardy in USDA zone 10 to 11 , they are commonly develop as an annual or indoor plant . They ’re bang-up indoor plants that boom in a brilliant , north- or eastward - facing window or under lighting in a pot fill with salutary drainingpotting mix . urine on a regular basis after the potting mix is dry . If the edges of the leaves are getting crispy , your industrial plant probably is n’t get enough moisture .
Add humidity
Rex begonias have a reputation for being finical indoors . Don Miller of Steve ’s Leavessays that humidity can often be the trouble , especially in wintertime . He recommends group your indoor plant together to make a more humid environment . In addition , you could put a layer of pebble into a weewee - filled tray and set the begonia pots on top of the pebble , out of the piss . A smallroom humidifiernearby can also help . you could even grow begonias in the bathroom as long as there ’s a sunny windowpane for them . One last tip for raising humidity is to bring down the thermostat — the warmer a room is , the dryer the zephyr .
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How to grow rex begonias outdoors
Planting rex begonias outdoors is not just a good estimation , it ’s a enceinte one ! A sheltered spot like the porch you see above is a great touch for growing king begonia along with othershade - sleep with companions , such as caladium ( Caladiumhybrid ) and oxalis ( Oxalis triangularis ) . The light source is gentle and the wind and rain wo n’t damage leaves or cause the potting intermixture to get doughy . You ’ll desire to place your begonia in part to full nuance — too much Lord’s Day can glow the leaves .
Being outside means potting mix can dry out out quicker so keep an center on moisture levels so plant do n’t wilt . replicate wilting can de-escalate the plant and correct growth back . To see if it ’s fourth dimension to water , introduce your finger’s breadth into the potting mixture up to the first knuckle and if it feels ironical it ’s sentence to water .
Rex begonia tips from a pro
It can take several years to arise larger plants like the single above . For more of an instant encroachment rex , give the Jurassic ™ series a try . They ’re usually pretty big to get going with and vigorous agriculturist . Joan Mazat , a begonia medical specialist atBall Horticulture , the caller that acquaint the Jurassic series , suggest growing rex begonias in containers rather than in the ground . She ’s found that soil splash on the foliage , and the plant ’s mound habit contain moisture in , creating a chance for rot or fungal disease to take hold and break the show . In gain , Joan uses a liquidplant foodevery seven days in summertime when she ’s watering more ofttimes and every 14 days in bounce and gloaming .
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Try these rex begonias
There are hundreds of rex begonia species and hybrids . We ’ve pluck a few of our favorites in the picture gallery and if you ’re looking for a proficient place to corrupt plants , check out the entrust source below .
' Fireworks ' Rex begonia ( Begoniahybrid )
TypeTender perennial ( Usually grown as an annual)FoliageDeep purple - black veins over a silver leaf with shades of pink and deep purpleness along the edgeLightPart to full shadeSize6 to 14 in . tall and wideHardinessCold intrepid in USDA geographical zone 10 to 11
Jurassic ™ Watermelon Rex begonia ( Begoniahybrid )
TypeTender perennial ( Usually uprise as an annual)FoliageHeart - work leaves with a rosy - pink center and blanched spotsLightPart to full shadeSize16 to 20 in . marvellous , 18 to 20 in . wideHardinessCold Hardy in USDA zones 10 to 11
‘ Steve ’s Leaves Pearly ’ Rex begonia ( Begoniahybrid )
TypeTender perennial ( Usually grow as an annual)FoliageDeep green leaves with a hoary reddish edge and pearlescent spots in the centerLightPart to full shadeSize10 to 12 in . tall and wideHardinessCold Hardy in USDA zone 10 to 11
' Smokey Eyes ' Rex begonia ( Begoniahybrid )
TypeTender perennial ( Usually grown as an annual)FoliageSilver grayish leaf with a smoky purple boundary that swirl into the centerLightPart to full shadeSize6 to 8 in . grandiloquent and wideHardinessCold Hardy in USDA zone 10 to 11
Shadow King ® Cherry Mint Rex begonia ( Begoniahybrid )
TypeTender perennial ( ordinarily grow as an annual)FoliageSerrated heart - shaped leaves have a silvery edge , pink eye and deep purpleness almost bootleg veinsLightPart to full shadeSize10 to 12 in . tall and wideHardinessCold Hardy in USDA zones 10 to 11
