Types of begonia

Types of begonia

1. 01

   Rex begonia

   Rex begonias are foliage plants with patterned leaves in combinations of green, silver, pink, red or purple. They grow from rhizomes, so rex and rhizomatous are overlapping groups, not five separate species.

   Give them bright, indirect light, humid air and moist, well-drained soil. Avoid misting the leaves and overwatering, which NC State links to disease.

   Pet safety: toxic to cats and dogs. Keep it out of reach.

   Rex begonia care guide

2. 02

   Cane begonia

   Cane begonias have upright stems with swollen joints, rather like bamboo. Angel wing and polka dot begonias belong here. Begonia maculata has spotted leaves, but not every cane begonia has the same pattern.

   Grow them in indirect light with good drainage. Pinching the tips encourages branching and keeps a tall plant more compact. The pet verdict below is for the named polka dot begonia.

   Pet safety: toxic to cats and dogs. Keep it out of reach.

3. 03

   Rhizomatous begonia

   These begonias grow from a horizontal stem, called a rhizome, that creeps along the soil surface. Iron cross begonia, Begonia masoniana, is one example, with rough green leaves marked by a dark central cross.

   Give iron cross bright, indirect light and moist soil during growth. Let the surface approach dryness when growth slows. Other rhizomatous types vary, so check the species rather than using a rex label for all of them. The pet verdict below is for iron cross begonia.

   Pet safety: toxic to cats and dogs. Keep it out of reach.

4. 04

   Tuberous begonia

   Tuberous begonias grow from underground storage tubers and are usually chosen for showy flowers. Begonia boliviensis and its hybrids are examples. These differ from the creeping stems of rhizomatous begonias.

   Keep them moist with good drainage while growing. Reduce watering as leaves yellow in fall, then keep dormant tubers dry and frost-free after the foliage dies back. They are seasonal plants, so do not keep watering a dormant tuber as if it were an evergreen houseplant. The pet verdict below is for Begonia boliviensis.

   Pet safety: toxic to cats and dogs. Keep it out of reach.

5. 05

   Wax begonia

   Wax begonias, often labeled Semperflorens-Cultorum, are compact plants with fibrous roots, fleshy stems and glossy green or bronze leaves. Their small flowers distinguish them from the large blooms of many tuberous types.

   They tolerate a wider range of light than many foliage begonias. Give an indoor pot good drainage and reduce watering when overwintering it in a cool spot.

   Pet safety: toxic to cats and dogs. Keep it out of reach.

   Wax begonia care guide

6. 06

   Choose by the growing habit

   For patterned foliage, compare rex and other rhizomatous begonias. For upright stems and hanging flower clusters, look at cane types. Wax begonias make compact flowering pots, while tuberous begonias bring larger seasonal flowers and need winter storage.

   The named examples here are toxic to cats and dogs. The ASPCA also lists Begonia spp. as toxic and identifies the underground parts as the most toxic. Keep begonias out of reach of pets.

Common questions