As gardeners, we know that we have failures and sadly wind up sometimes killing a plant we love. Such was the case with my Begonia rex. It lived for several years outdoors in a spot that had indirect light. At first, it thrived, but then it began to deteriorate. I moved to Fairfield and placed my plant inside next to the window, where it got indirect light, but sadly, it just deteriorated from there. Finally, I called it quits, cut the plant down to soil level, and left it like that for a time. As it turns out, I could not help myself and kept watering the soil in the hope that something might happen. After all, what was the harm other than wasting a little water? This went on for months until one day to my surprise and delight, just like magic the plant began to show signs of life. I kept on watering and fertilizing and wound up with a plant that looks like this in its new permanent home!^[1]

Begonia rex, commonly known as King Begonia or Painted-Leaf begonia, is a species of flowering perennial plant in the family Begoniaceace. It was found in southeast China and was then introduced to Bangladesh, Cuba, and Hispaniola (the most populous island in the West Indies.) It is the parent to over 500 cultivars, with many cultivars earning the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Fortunately, the care and maintenance for all cultivars are the same! As I discovered through trial and error, Begonia rex thrives in bright, indirect light^[2] since the leaves will burn in excessive direct sunlight. It prefers to be planted in well-draining soil, thriving in a mixture of clay, sand, and loam. It also responds well to a mixture of potting soil mixed with peat moss and perlite. Drainage, drainage, drainage! Keep in mind that you can detect a potting mix that is too heavy if the water pools on the soil surface.

Rex begonia does best at 50% humidity. If you do not have a humidifier, put the plant on a shallow tray filled with pebbles and fill it with water up to the top of the pebbles, making sure the water does not touch the bottom of the pot. Some varieties of begonia go dormant in winter, requiring reduced watering until spring when new growth returns. The tricks to watering are to ensure the top two inches of soil are always moist while ensuring your plant is not sitting in excessive water. One of the most common plant disease Begonias are susceptible to is root rot which comes from overwatering. In fact, for beginner gardeners, overwatering your plants is the number one mistake we make! Another helpful tip for watering any of your plants is to let the water sit in a container for 24 hours before using which will allow for the contaminants to evaporate causing less stress for your plants.^[3] It also allows for your water to be room temperature, which most plants prefer.

King begonias are known for their large, variegated leaves. My begonia has leaves up to nine inches long and five inches wide, and interestingly enough, the leaves were even larger the second time around, which demonstrates the benefits of hard (aggressive) pruning. Finally, Rex Begonias need a steady supply of nutrients to flourish. They prefer a balanced fertilizer (the macro ingredients, N-P-K) nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium all have the same number as 10-10-10. Organic fertilizers such as compost or worm casting offer slow-release fertilization and will improve soil quality over time.^[4]

I have so enjoyed my begonia because of its vivid colors, it is hearty nature and its ease of care. So much so I am designating a corner of a room just for them! Just like Lazarus of Bethany, my plant miraculously came back to life, but this time with much more vigor!^[5]

^[1] Website Garden Guides

^[2] Wikipedia- Begonia rex

^[3] Website- plantophiles.com

^[4] Website- livetoplant.com

^[5] Picture of plant, top right was taken by the author of her own plant!