The leaves are evergreen and the undersides will be mottled with silver and maroon. The flowers will tend to be hidden in the foliage. The plant should be fertilized every two weeks during the growing season, but not fed at all during the winter. Image by AnnaKika The leaves on rhizome begonias are sensitive to water and need to be watered from below. The leaves are often dark green but may have colored spots. Since then she has gone on to develop a passion for growing vegetables & fruit in her garden. The tray must be drained each time you water to prevent root rot. If your begonia rex has yellow leaves, chances are you have given it too much water. The begonia rex is a beautiful plant that will add depth and color to any room in your home. UK, Hours Image by daryl_mitchell Tuberous begonia are grown for their showy flowers. She has an affinity with nature and loves to share her knowledge gained over a lifetime with readers online. The leaves are slightly hairy and textured adding to the interest of the foliage. The soil should always be moist, but make sure not to get any water on the leaves. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these. Place this in a warm area of your home, but out of the path of direct sunlight. Small pots placed over a draining tray work best. It is important to treat these infestations as soon as possible to prevent the spread of these bugs to other plants in your home. As beautiful as it may be, it is not an easy plant to cultivate. You can also add in vermiculite or perlite to support fast draining. The botanical name of the Rex Begonia is Begonia rex hybrids. Each of the six begonia sub classes has a unique leaf that can be used to facilitate identification. The leaves will begin to yellow naturally at which time watering should be reduced. The leaf is smooth and oval. Begonia ‘Mikado’ This Rex Begonia is very tender but can be put outside for the summer. Begonia rex hybrids leaves are a vibrant red color with an interesting texture. Begonias are found wild in South and Central America and are native plants in India. Press Esc to cancel. The plant grows in a bushy form and is grown as an annual. It is a rhizomatous plant which means that the main part of the plant erupts from the fleshy rhizome that grows under the top layer of soil. Not only will it grow well, but it will also produce vivid colors and variegation. Growing the fireworks plant can be a challenge. Contact her at hollie@gardenbeast.com or follow on twitter https://twitter.com/greenholliec. If those spots happen to have yellow halos around them, they are certainly bacterial leaf spot. Avoid misting the plant at all costs, but you can place it on a pebble tray or house it in an encasement to maintain proper humidity levels. Type above and press Enter to search. M2 3HZ Hollie is a life-long gardener, having started helping her Dad work on their yard when she was just 5. If you notice spots on the leaves, chances are they are a type of fungus. The plants are frost tender and oval, approximately six inches (15 cm.) You can take a cutting from any healthy leaf in the spring or summer season. Rex begonias are attractive plants to look at, and also present a great meal for certain pests. The textured leaves grow in an array of rich colors that tend to be very dramatic when properly cultivated. Being that the plant is rhizomatous, it is important to pay close attention to the soil and root care to ensure the plant has the best chance of proper development. Image by Evelyn Proimos Shrub-like begonia are compact and tight clusters of 3-inch (7.5 cm.) Image by Mike James Semperflorens is also called annual or wax begonia due to their fleshy waxy leaves. This plant is susceptible to fungal infections, mainly bacterial leaf spot. The begonia rex loves humidity and plenty of indirect sunlight. It is evergreen and primarily grown for its handsome grey, deep purple-red and dark green variegated leaves, rather than the small pink flowers that sometimes appear in spring, summer or autumn. To encourage a more dramatic look to your plant, pinch off these flowers as soon as you see them. During this phase, they will shed leaves and stop growing.