Grown purely for its spectacular foliage, the Rex Begonia dazzles with leaves swirled in silver, purple, pink, red and green. It craves the warm humidity a terrarium supplies.
Light
Bright, indirect light brings out the richest colours; direct sun bleaches and burns the leaves.
Water & humidity
Keep lightly moist and avoid wetting the leaves in open air (which invites mildew), in a terrarium, water the substrate.
In the terrarium
A closed terrarium is ideal: the high humidity keeps Rex Begonias thriving where they'd struggle in dry rooms. Their bold leaves make a stunning centrepiece.
Propagation
Rex begonias propagate from leaf cuttings: either lay a whole leaf on damp substrate and nick the main veins, or cut the leaf into wedges each containing a vein. Plantlets emerge from the cut veins in a few weeks under high humidity.
Common problems
- Powdery white coating = mildew from stagnant, wet air; improve airflow.
- Crispy edges = humidity too low.
Good companions
Rex Begonia pairs well with plants that want the same conditions, a humid, closed terrarium with bright, indirect light. Here are some species that thrive alongside it:
→ Explore more matches with our Plant Pairing Tool.
Frequently asked questions
Are Rex Begonias good terrarium plants?
Yes, their need for high humidity makes them thrive in terrariums, provided there's a little airflow to prevent mildew.
Why does my Rex Begonia get powdery mildew?
Stagnant, humid air. Vent a closed terrarium occasionally and avoid splashing the leaves.
Care information is a general guide; conditions vary. Some links on this site are affiliate links that help support Terrarium Creations.