Begonia rex aka Painted Leaf Begonia

With a bit of knowledge and dedication, you can successfully care for Painted Leaf Begonia, making it a rewarding choice for those seeking a moderate challenge.

Painted Leaf Begonia should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Painted Leaf Begonia loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

To ensure optimal growth, the Painted Leaf Begonia prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

During the wintertime, it is common for Painted Leaf Begonia plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.

Painted Leaf Begonia is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

The Painted Leaf Begonia does not necessitate supplementary humidity. Plants primarily absorb water through their roots, rather than their leaves. Hence, the most effective way to supply humidity to your plants is by watering the soil.

The Painted Leaf Begonia should be transferred to a new pot once it has increased in size two-fold, or on an annual basis, whichever occurs earlier. Replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the necessary nutrients, is sufficient enough to support the growth of the plant, thus avoiding the need to use fertilizer. It's important to note that plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.

Painted Leaf Begonia’s native range is Tropics and Subtropics worldwide.