Talk about a plant that gives you more bang for your buck. Rex Begonias are super plants for outdoor and indoor containers and look fabulous year round, with or without blooms.

The variety of different leaf colors, shapes, and patterns is simply amazing, and they are easy keepers in the right conditions.

Because the bloom isn’t the important feature of Rex Begonias, they can live happily as foliage plants in low-light situations. In fact, many people pinch off the blooms to keep the plant’s energy focused on the foliage. Mine bloomed indoors for the first time this past February, but I thought the small pink bloom was cute, so I left it alone and enjoyed the short-lived flowers for a little over a week.

Growing Rex Begonias Outdoors

Outdoors, Rex Begonias are the perfect container plant for a shady porch or patio, or any area that doesn’t get direct afternoon sun.

They won’t survive cold winters (only hardy in Zone 10 and higher) so bring them indoors before any frost. Then they’ll live happily in an east- or west-facing window, near a south-facing window, or under fluorescent lights that stay on for at least eight hours a day (like an office environment).

Heck, they would probably be fine in a north-facing window; I’ve just never tried it. Begonias much prefer dry soil over wet, so be careful not to overwater. Always feel the soil first. If it’s damp, don’t water.

What to Pair with Rex Begonias

Rex Begonias come in shades of purple, pink, green, red, and silver and their leaf patterns range from swirls to polka dots. They can stand alone in a container or look great in mixed outdoor containers with plants that highlight the colors of the Begonia leaves.

Try pairing Rex Begonias with a solid purple Coleus, Silver Dichondra, purple or green Elephant Ears, Purple Heart (Tradescantia) and other shade loving plants with muted, solid tones similar to those found in your specific variety of Begonia.

Next time you’re plant shopping, treat yourself to a Rex Begonia, the perfect plant for year-round container color.