Rex Begonia Kotobuki

Rex Begonia 'Kotobuki' (Begonia rex 'Kotobuki') is grown for leaves that spiral into a tight swirl, banded in silver, green and deep red. It stays compact at about 30cm tall and 35cm across, so it belongs on a shelf, a side table or a sheltered courtyard bench rather than on the floor. Small pink flowers appear from time to time, but the foliage is the whole reason to buy it.

Why you'll love it

• Foliage unlike anything else indoors. Each leaf coils around itself in a spiral, so the pattern reads as texture as much as colour.
• Small enough for any spot. At 30cm high it fits a bookshelf, a bathroom windowsill or a grouped arrangement of small pots.
• It likes humidity. Bathrooms, kitchens and shaded courtyards suit it, where drier air crisps the edges of many patterned plants.
• No flowering season to wait for. The leaves are the display, so it never has a dull stretch.

Where it works best

Indoors. Bright indirect light within a metre or two of a window is ideal. Direct sun through glass scorches the leaves, and deep shade flattens the silver banding to dull green.

Pots and containers. A shallow, wide 200mm pot suits the creeping rhizome better than a deep one, and three plants grouped together read as one lush mound.

Balconies and courtyards. In tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens it lives outside all year in full shade, under a roof that keeps rain off the leaves.

Growing Rex Begonia in Australia

Position and climate. Bright indirect light, never direct sun. It is frost tender, so outdoors it is limited to tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens in a sheltered shaded spot. In cool temperate gardens it is an indoor plant.

Soil. A free draining indoor potting mix lightened with perlite or fine bark. The rhizome sits at the surface and rots if buried, so plant shallow and never mound mix over the crown.

Water and feed. Let the top 2cm of mix dry before watering, then water at the soil rather than over the leaves, which mark and spot easily. Feed at half strength monthly through spring and summer, and stop over winter.

Pruning. Remove tired leaves at the base as they age. A plant that drops leaves and looks bare in mid winter is usually going semi dormant rather than dying, and it reshoots in spring.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown as tube stock and in 175mm, 180mm and 200mm pots sold in packs of six. Tubes are young rooted plants for growing on. The potted sizes arrive already leafed up and ready to sit straight onto a shelf.

Begonias are delicate in transit, so some leaf bruising and edge damage is normal and grows out within a few weeks. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery. One honest caution: begonias are toxic to cats and dogs if eaten. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Indoor plant basics for beginners
• Browse the full indoor plant range
• More plants with patterned foliage
• How to repot a plant properly

Common questions

Why are the leaf edges going crisp and brown?

Dry air is the usual cause, particularly near a heater or an air conditioner. Group it with other plants or sit the pot on a tray of pebbles and water to lift humidity around the leaves.

Can I grow it outside?

Only in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens, in full shade with overhead protection. It is frost tender, so anywhere colder it needs to come indoors.

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

No. Begonias are toxic to both if chewed, with the underground parts the most concentrated. Keep it well out of reach of a pet that nibbles houseplants.

It lost most of its leaves in winter. Is it dead?

Probably not. Rex begonias often go semi dormant in cool weather and shed leaves, then reshoot from the rhizome in spring. Water sparingly and wait.