Easy-Care Rex Begonias: Fancy Foliage for Shade Containers

Rex begonias offer unrivaled foliage: large, richly patterned leaves with blotches, splashes, sprinkles in bronze, red, pink, purple, silver, green—plus rippled, dimpled, crinkled, curled textures. Some fuzzy, some metallic. Thanks to breeder Jim Booman (Booman Floral, Vista, CA), new series (Great American Cities, Beach Cities) are fuss-free and forgiving—salt-burn resistant, shorter winter dormancy. They flourish outdoors when nights stay above 55°F.

Design & Care

• Solo stars in containers; pair with small grasses (liriope), lacy ferns, simple trailers (vinca, ivy).
• If adding flowers, use small shade-tolerant types (impatiens, lobelia).
• Outdoors: part to deep shade, ordinary potting soil, water when top inch dry.
• Balanced liquid fertilizer monthly, or timed-release at planting.
• Don't mist leaves—alkaline water desiccates them. Instead, hose patio floor when humidity <10%.
• Zones 14–24, H1, H2: outdoors year-round. Colder: bring in before cold.

Favorite New Varieties

Great American Cities 'Houston Fiesta' – Midsize leaves with bright pink, green, white markings.

If unavailable locally, order from Plants for Kids or Logee's Greenhouses (888-330-8038).