Begonia rex
Species of plant in the genus Begonia

Begonia rex
B. rex 'Putz' cultivar drawn by G. Severeyns for Flore des serres et des jardins de l'Europe in 1857.[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Cucurbitales
Family: Begoniaceae
Genus: Begonia
Species:
B. rex
Binomial name
Begonia rex
Synonyms[2]
  • Platycentrum rex (Putz.) Seem. 1860
  • Begonia dominiana Veitch ex J.Dix 1859
  • Begonia marginata T.Moore 1860
  • Begonia picturata Hend. ex Bosse 1861
  • Begonia rex var. grandis E.J.Lowe & W.Howard 1859
  • Begonia rex var. leopardina T.Moore 1860
  • Begonia rex var. nebulosa E.J.Lowe & W.Howard 1860

Begonia rex, the king begonia, fancy-leaf begonia, or painted-leaf begonia is a species of flowering plant in the family Begoniaceae. It's a rhizomatous begonia first brought to England from Assam, and documented in 1857. [3]

It is native to the East Himalayas, found from South Bhutan to North Myanmar, and has been introduced to Bangladesh, Cuba, The Dominican Republic, and Haiti.[2][4]

These plants are noted for their dark leaves with prominent silvery grey bands. When this species was introduced into cultivation, it became popular as a houseplant. Hybrids began to appear with varying leaf patterns as Rex begonias hybridize quite freely.[5]

Rex Cultorum

The "original" Rex, Begonia rex ‘Putzey,’ was thought to be a distinct species until molecular taxonomy revealed that Begonia rex ‘Putzey’ is likely only one cultivar within a large complex of closely related begonias with similar appearances, all of which make up the species. The species and it's progeny are collectively referred to as the Begonia Rex Cultorum. [6]

Begonia rex ‘Putzey’ is in the parentage of over 500 cultivars in the Begonia Rex Cultorum Group of houseplants.[7]

Other parents in the multitude of crosses made during the creation of the Group include Begonia annulata, B. cathayana, B. decora, B. diadema, B. dregei, B. grandis, B. hatacoa, B. palmata, and B. xanthina.[7]

Awards

Rex Cultorum Group cultivars that have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit
  • Looking down at Begonia Benitochiba foliage. The leaves are star-shaped, with 5 or 6 points, and serrated. The veins are deep grey-green, the center and edges of the leaf are plum-colored. In the leaf most in-focus, the surface of the leaf is otherwise silver, but in the background there are leaves with more maroon coloring and only a spattering of silver.
    Begonia 'Benitochiba'
  • A Begonia Escargot leaf. It is asymmetrical and ovate, and grows in a spiral pattern towards the center. The edges are trimmed in red, with a band of grey-green, a thicker band of silver, and the center is grey-green.
    Begonia 'Escargot'
  • Begonia Fireworks foliage. The leaves are asymmetrical ovate with maroon serrated edges. The upper surface is silvery with dark veins, and gets a red tint near the edges. The underside has blood-red edges and veins, and a foam-green surface.
    Begonia 'Fireworks'
  • Looking down at the foliage of a potted Begonia Midnight Magic. The leaves are asymmetrical, ovate, and serrated. The leaves are deep grey-green with a red spot in the very center, and bright red undersides.
    Begonia 'Midnight Magic'
  • Looking straight down at the foliage of a potted Begonia Namur. The leaves are asymmetrical, ovate, and serrated. The leaves are deep silvery-green with a dark green centers and edges.
    Begonia 'Namur'
  • Looking straight down at the foliage of a potted Begonia Silver Queen. The leaves are large and only two are fully visible and facing the camera. The leaves are asymmetrical and ovate. The very center and veins have a subtle red color. The outermost band and center of the leaf are grey-green, with a band of silver between.
    Begonia 'Silver Queen'

Other cultivars that have also received Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit include: 'Carolina Moon', 'China Curl', 'Curly Fireflush', 'David Blais', 'Dewdrop', 'Emerald Beauty', 'Green Gold', 'Helen Lewis', 'Hilo Holiday', 'Ironstone', 'Martin Johnson', 'Mikado', 'Orient', 'Pink Champagne', 'Princess of Hanover', 'Red Robin', 'Regal Minuet', 'Rocheart', 'Roi de Roses', 'Sal's Comet', 'Sea Serpent', 'Silver Cloud', and 'Silver King'.[8]

Light

Rex begonias do well in bright, indirect light. Foliage of these plants could burn when plants are exposed to excessive direct sunlight. The ideal light intensity for most Rex begonia varieties is 1,500 to 2,200 foot-candles.[9]

References

  1. ^ CAMFIELD, Rebecca; HUGHES, Mark (2018). "A revision and one new species of Begonia L. (Begoniaceae, Cucurbitales) in Northeast India". European Journal of Taxonomy (396): 1–116. doi:10.5852/ejt.2018.396. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Begonia rex Putz". Plants of the World Online. Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
  3. ^ Tsamtsis, Paul. "Begonia rex 'Putzeys'". begonias.org. American Begonia Society. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  4. ^ "Begonia rex king begonia". The Royal Horticultural Society. 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2021. Other common names; … fan plant, painted-leaf begonia
  5. ^ Shannon, Laughlin (2022-02-23). "Rex Begonia | Home and Garden Education Center". University of Connecticut. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  6. ^ "Rex Cultorum". begonias.org. American Begonia Society. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  7. ^ a b Cubey, Janet; Wesley, Wendy (December 2006). "Begonia Rex Cultorum Group" (PDF). RHS Plant Trials and Awards. Bulletin Number 16: 1–16. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  8. ^ "AGM Plants Dec 2020 © RHS – ORNAMENTAL" (PDF). rhs.org.uk. The Royal Horticultural Society. December 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  9. ^ Ginori, Julian; Huo, Heqiang; Norman, Dave (2022-12-12). "Beginner's Guide to Begonias: Begonia rex-cultorum". EDIS. 2022 (6). doi:10.32473/edis-ep632-2022. ISSN 2576-0009.
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