Begonia Cleopatra

Begonia Cleopatra is a tropical plant native to the rainforests of South America. This plant is also known as the “Painted-Leaf Begonia” due to its striking and colourful foliage. Begonia Cleopatra features large, asymmetrical leaves with vibrant patterns of silver, green, and purple.

To care for a Begonia Cleopatra, provide bright, indirect light, maintain high humidity levels (around 50-70%), water when the top inch of soil is dry, use well-draining potting mix, and avoid overwatering as it can lead to root rot; ensure temperatures stay between 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit and regularly check for pests; consider using a humidifier to maintain humidity levels if needed. 

When you picture a begonia, you probably imagine the pink or red perennial that blooms in flower boxes and on suburban lawns. However, there are actually more than 2,000 types of begonias, and many of them don't flower at all. One of the most popular, the rex begonia, is a fantastic low-maintenance houseplant for new plant parents. Also called the king begonia (rex means "king" in Latin), it's known for its large, sprawling leaves with tie-dye-like green and purple patterns.

Even though the begonia is easy to care for, you should follow some simple guidelines to help your plant thrive. Ahead, we break down exactly what you need to know about caring for a king begonia, from watering and propagating to troubleshooting problems.

Sunlight

For the best growth results, place your  begonia in bright, indirect sunlight. Direct light will scald its leaves, but too little light will result in a leggy plant with smaller leaves. An east-facing window is ideal, but a south-facing spot that doesn't get blasted with sunlight works too.

These plants benefit from a well-balanced fertilizer every few weeks. You can opt for a liquid plant food or a firm fertilizer. However, once it starts to get cold, slow down on feeding. If you see burn-like signs on the leaf edges, you're adding too much plant food.

Water

Despite being prone to overwatering, rex begonias love a constant supply of moisture. Water your plant when the top layer of the soil begins to feel dry or the leaves start to flag (lightly wilt). If you notice your plant going dormant during the winter months, cut back on watering until it starts growing again.

Temperature and Humidity

Rex begonias love room temperature—that's why they're such great indoor plants. Around 70 degrees (and dropping around 10 degrees at night) is perfect for these warm-weather plants. They like some humidity too: Keep it above 50 percent during the growing season.