How to care for rex begonia (Begonia rex)

Begonia rex · King begonia, Painted-leaf begonia, Fancy-leaf begonia

Rex begonia (Begonia rex) — a rhizomatous foliage begonia, grown for its large, lopsided, heart-shaped leaves patterned in silver, green, red, pink, purple or near-black with a metallic sheen. Plants grow 30–45 cm tall; the small pink flowers are secondary to the leaves. Rex begonia needs partial shade and 16–21 °C. Water it about every 5 days while it grows and about every 12 days in the winter rest.

Checked against sources: November 5, 2026

Watering and repotting rex begonia through the year

It lives indoors all year, so it has no sowing or planting dates: it grows from March to September and rests from October to February (the other way round in the southern hemisphere).

Repot it about every 24 months.

When to plant rex begonia?

Plant or repot rex begonia in spring, as it starts into growth; early to midsummer also works. It is a houseplant, so it has no outdoor planting date and no frost decides it: just avoid autumn and winter, when growth slows and fresh compost stays wet too long. After that, move it to a slightly larger pot about every two years, or sooner once roots circle the pot or grow through the drainage holes.

Watering in the growing and resting halves of the year: Watering and repotting rex begonia through the year.

Sources: RHS: How to repot a plant · Penn State Extension: Repotting houseplants

Quick facts

Type	Houseplant
Latin name	Begonia rex
Family	Begoniaceae
Also called	King begonia, Painted-leaf begonia, Fancy-leaf begonia
Light	Partial shade
Frost	does not tolerate frost
Repotting	every 24 months
Grown in	At home

Where does rex begonia grow?

292 records of the plant in gardens, fields and the wild worldwide; most photos come from India, United States, New Zealand, and Réunion.

World map: where rex begonia has been recorded — Darker green means more records. Photos are real observations from those countries — tap one to see it. Map and records: GBIF.org (2026-10-28), © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap. Photo: -1417242299 (CC BY / CC0).

Rex begonia, Réunion — Darker green means more records. Photos are real observations from those countries — tap one to see it. Map and records: GBIF.org (2026-10-28), © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap. Photo: -1417242299 (CC BY / CC0).

Rex begonia care by growth stage

At home

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	every 5 days	16…21 °C	balanced (NPK), 14 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 28 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 42 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 56 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 70 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 84 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 98 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 112 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 126 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 140 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 154 days into the stage
Winter rest	every 12 days	13…21 °C	—

Growing notes

Light

Plenty of bright, indirect light; hot direct sun scorches the leaves, though gentle morning sun is fine. If the light comes from one side, give the pot a quarter turn every week.

Soil

A porous, free-draining mix in a shallow pot. The compost must never become waterlogged.

Care

Let the surface of the compost become almost dry between waterings (check with a finger); overwatering causes root rot. Do not wet the leaves or the crown and do not mist; give it high humidity (over 50 %) with a tray of moist pebbles or a spot in a bright bathroom or kitchen, and keep the air moving. It does best at about 21 °C by day and 16 °C at night, and needs at least 13 °C in winter. From spring, when new growth starts, feed every two weeks with a balanced fertiliser at quarter strength; taper off in autumn and stop in winter. Many plants rest in autumn or winter and may drop some leaves; then water sparingly until new leaves appear in spring. Remove dead leaves promptly to prevent grey mould and powdery mildew; an overlong rhizome can be cut back and the piece rooted. New plants come easily from leaf cuttings in May or June. Watch for mealybugs. All parts contain soluble calcium oxalates and are toxic to cats and dogs, causing vomiting and drooling; the underground parts are the most toxic.

Pests and diseases of Rex begonia

1 problem is recorded for rex begonia; it has a page with symptoms, treatment and prevention.

Diseases

Grey mould

Other plants of the Begoniaceae family

Rex begonia belongs to Begoniaceae; 1 other plant of this family has a guide here.

Tuberous BegoniaBegonia × tuberhybrida

Plant lists it is in

Part of: Houseplants · Thirsty houseplants

Sources

Figures checked against these sources.