Rex Begonia (Begonia rex) is a flowering plant that likes bright, indirect light and water once a week. Here is everything you need to keep it healthy.
| Botanical name | Begonia rex |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Fancy-Leaf Begonia, King Begonia |
| Plant type | Flowering plant |
| Light | Bright, indirect light |
| Watering | Water once a week |
| Fertilizing | Feed about once a month in the growing season |
| Grown | Indoor |
| Type of plant | Ornamental |
Water Rex Begonia once a week as a baseline. Treat that as a reminder to check rather than a rule to follow blindly — push a finger an inch or two into the soil and water only if it feels dry at that depth.
Expect to water more often in warm, bright, or dry conditions, and noticeably less in winter when growth slows. A pot with drainage holes matters more than the exact interval: standing water is the most common way houseplants are lost.
Rex Begonia prefers bright, indirect light. It wants plenty of light without direct sun falling on the leaves — a spot near an east-facing window, or a few feet back from a bright south-facing one, works well.
If growth becomes stretched and leggy with long gaps between leaves, it is reaching for more light. Pale or bleached patches usually mean the opposite — too much direct sun.
Feed Rex Begonia about once a month through the growing season using a balanced liquid fertilizer at half the strength on the label. Pause over winter — an unfed plant recovers far more easily than one with fertilizer burn.
Spectacular foliage in metallic shades. Water from the base if possible; leaves are prone to spotting from overhead watering.
As a starting point, water Rex Begonia once a week, then adjust to your own conditions. Check the soil first: push a finger an inch or two down and only water if it feels dry at that depth. Most Rex Begonia problems come from watering on a fixed schedule rather than watering when the plant actually needs it.
Rex Begonia prefers bright, indirect light. It wants plenty of light without direct sun falling on the leaves — a spot near an east-facing window, or a few feet back from a bright south-facing one, works well.
Feed Rex Begonia about once a month during the active growing season (roughly spring through early autumn) with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength. Stop feeding in winter, when growth slows and unused nutrients build up in the soil.
Rex Begonia is grown as an indoor plant. It does best in stable room temperatures, away from cold draughts and radiators.