Rex Begonias, also known as painted-leaf or fancy-leaf begonias, are celebrated houseplants known for their varied and colorful foliage. They display large, asymmetrical leaves with diverse colors, patterns, and textures, including swirls, splashes, and contrasting veins. Their striking appearance makes them popular for adding vibrancy to indoor spaces, often found at retailers like IKEA. Despite their exotic looks, Rex Begonias are relatively straightforward to grow.
Bringing Your IKEA Rex Begonia Home
Bringing a new Rex Begonia home from a retail environment like IKEA requires a few immediate considerations for a successful transition. Upon arrival, carefully inspect the plant for any signs of pests, such as tiny webs, sticky residue, or small insects on the leaves or stems. Early detection can prevent potential infestations from spreading to other houseplants. Allow your new begonia to acclimate to its new environment gradually. Place it in a spot with stable temperatures and consistent light, avoiding sudden changes that could stress the plant. Retail environments often have different conditions than a typical home, so a period of adjustment helps the plant adapt. Deciding whether to repot immediately depends on the plant’s condition and the existing pot. If the plant appears healthy and the soil is not overly compacted or waterlogged, it is generally better to delay repotting for a few weeks to allow it to settle. If immediate repotting is necessary, perhaps due to a severely root-bound state or poor drainage, handle the plant gently to minimize stress on its delicate root system.
Essential Rex Begonia Care
Light Needs
Rex Begonias flourish in bright, indirect indoor light. An east-facing window is ideal, providing gentle morning sun without intense afternoon light. Too much direct sun can scorch leaves, leading to faded colors or brown patches. Insufficient light dulls vibrant patterns and causes legginess as the plant stretches for illumination. Healthy leaves indicate proper light.
Watering Practices
Proper watering is crucial; overwatering causes root rot. Allow the top inch of soil to dry before watering thoroughly, ensuring excess water drains. Slightly dry is better than too wet, as soggy soil quickly leads to issues. Rex Begonias have fragile root systems that succumb to rot in saturated conditions. Good drainage holes are essential to prevent water pooling.
Humidity and Temperature
Rex Begonias thrive in moderately high humidity, ideally 50% or higher. Dry air can cause leaf tips to turn brown and crispy. To increase humidity, place the pot on a pebble tray filled with water, ensuring the pot does not sit directly in the water. Grouping plants also helps create a more humid microclimate. These plants prefer moderate temperatures, generally 60-70°F (15-21°C) during the day, with slightly cooler night temperatures around 60°F (15°C).
Soil and Potting
An airy, light, and fast-draining soil mix is best for Rex Begonias. Their fine root systems benefit from well-aerated, peat-based potting soil. Amend a standard potting mix with perlite or orchid bark to enhance drainage and aeration, preventing root issues. Repot into a slightly larger, fresh pot with new soil when the rhizome reaches the pot’s sides. Rex Begonias are rhizomatous plants, growing from shallow, thickened stems, and do well in shallow containers that allow these rhizomes room to spread.
Fertilizing
Rex Begonias are not heavy feeders. During their active growing season (typically spring and summer), fertilize them once or twice a month. Use a balanced houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength to avoid root burn from over-fertilization. Reduce or stop fertilizing during fall and winter when growth naturally slows. Providing nutrients during the growing period supports healthy foliage development and overall plant vigor.
Troubleshooting Common Rex Begonia Problems
Changes in foliage signal common problems.
If leaves turn brown and crispy, it often indicates low humidity or underwatering. Increasing ambient humidity with a pebble tray or humidifier can alleviate this, as can ensuring consistent soil moisture. Brown edges may also suggest exposure to direct, harsh sunlight.
Yellowing leaves, especially older ones, can point to overwatering or poor drainage, leading to root rot. If the soil remains soggy, roots cannot access oxygen, causing decay. Allowing the soil to dry out more between waterings and ensuring adequate drainage holes can help. Yellowing might also occur from nutrient deficiencies, addressed with appropriate fertilization during the growing season.
Wilting leaves, where the plant appears droopy, can be a symptom of both underwatering and overwatering. If the soil is dry, the plant is likely thirsty, and a thorough watering should revive it. If the soil is wet, wilting can signal root rot, meaning roots are no longer able to absorb water effectively. In this case, assessing soil moisture and drainage is important.
Pest infestations, though less common with proper care, can affect Rex Begonias. Common houseplant pests like spider mites (fine webs on undersides of leaves) or mealybugs (small, white, cottony masses) may appear. Isolate affected plants and treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Regularly inspecting your plant’s foliage helps catch issues early.