[Indoor plants](https://dunger.ua/en/blog/categories/indoor-plants) # Rex begonia care: how to read changes in the leaves Published 2026-11-11 Updated 2026-11-11 To read 7 min Learn how to care for rex and other rhizomatous begonias indoors, from choosing a window and watering to checking roots and repotting. Indoor foliage begonias, including rex and related rhizomatous types, grow well in bright, indirect light. Their roots need air, and excess water must be able to leave the pot. Start by observing the spot beside the window and the way the potting mix dries. Those two checks help you decide whether the plant needs watering, a different position or a fresh pot. ## A quick check of your begonia - Read the plant label and look at the base of the leaves. - Work out when direct sunlight reaches them. - Feel the surface of the mix and lift the pot. - Check that water drains freely and does not sit in the outer pot. - Look under the leaves and note where any change first appeared. ## Work out which begonia you have Rex begonias often have large, asymmetrical leaves with strongly contrasting patterns. Many rhizomatous begonias have a thickened stem near the surface of the potting mix, with leaves growing from it. Leaf size and markings vary even among related cultivars. If there is no label, check whether the plant spreads along the surface or makes tall upright stems, then compare what you see with the [guide to the main begonia groups](https://dunger.ua/en/blog/begonia-care-guide). This routine is for a living leafy indoor plant. Some tuberous begonias die back before a rest period, but that habit does not mean a rex should be stored in darkness without watering. If yours is a confirmed tuberous type, read the separate [guide to tuberous begonias after flowering](https://dunger.ua/en/blog/tuberous-begonia-after-flowering) and check how the shoots finish their season and when to look after the tuber. If you buy a plant in cold weather, look at the young leaves and their stems as well as the mix. Choose a pot with firm leaf stalks and no visible pests. Protect it from cold air on the journey and avoid leaving it in an unheated car. Remove the wrapping when you get home, keep the plant apart from the rest of the collection at first and check the potting mix before watering. A dry-looking surface can conceal a wet root ball. ## Light near a window changes over the year Choose a bright spot where the leaves are sheltered from harsh direct sun. A sheer curtain or moving the pot farther from the glass may help if direct sun reaches the same side for several hours. Watch where light falls in the morning and afternoon. Scorch often shows on the exposed side, but one pale mark is not a diagnosis. Check for contact with cold glass or a recent change in watering as well. Short winter days, heated rooms and fresh air through an open window can affect an indoor plant at the same time in Ukraine. A pot close to the window might get more light while hot, dry air comes up from the radiator. Keep leaves out of a cold draft when airing the room. If the sill becomes chilly, move the plant to a bright spot with steadier conditions. When you move it to a brighter summer window, let it adjust gradually and watch its new leaves. Changing the window, pot, watering and feeding at once makes the response hard to interpret. Start with the clearest issue. For example, move the plant out of hot air while keeping a similar light level, then see whether new leaves develop dry edges. Damage already visible will stay on older leaves. New growth tells you more about whether the change helped. ## Decide when to water by checking the pot Feel the mix near the edge. Let the surface dry a little without leaving the entire root ball dry for a long time. Pot weight is a practical second check. Lift it after the excess has drained and compare that weight with how the pot feels before watering again. The upper layer can turn pale while the pot is still heavy and wet inside. Water the mix and let the excess escape through the holes. Empty the saucer or the decorative outer pot. Moist air around the leaves and waterlogged roots are different conditions. If the room is dry, move the begonia away from the radiator without letting the pot sit in water to increase humidity. Avoid routinely wetting the leaves where drops linger between leaf stalks and in folds. Under weaker light, the pot often dries more slowly. Check it instead of watering on the day that worked in summer. If it still feels heavy, wait. When the top has dried a little and the pot feels lighter, water the mix and discard the excess. Check again after changing the room, turning on heating or repotting. A begonia beside a sunny window and one farther into the room may need watering on different days. ## Choosing a pot and mix for a rhizomatous begonia Use a loose indoor potting mix and a container with drainage holes. Choose its size for the roots rather than the spread of the leaves. A rhizomatous plant can grow out to the sides, so a lower, suitably wide container may be more practical than a deep one. Unused mix in an oversized pot takes longer to dry. If the existing pot still fits the roots and the mix is in good condition, more leaves alone do not make repotting urgent. Before repotting, check whether water passes through the mix or pools at the center. If the mixture has compacted, remove the plant carefully while supporting the root ball. Leave a surface-growing rhizome close to the surface. Avoid pressing the new mix into a dense layer. Put the plant back in indirect light and check how the pot now dries. The old watering routine may need to change. Give leaves enough space to dry after an accidental splash, especially beside walls, neighboring pots or heavy curtains. A strong flow of air from a fan or window can also dry their edges. Look for steady leaf growth and a predictable drying pattern over several checks. ## Distinguish the natural leaf pattern from damage Compare three leaves on the same plant: a new leaf, a fully expanded one and an older one at the edge of the pot. Natural silver or burgundy markings often recur along veins or outlines, although the color can change with age. A damaged edge may feel dry, while an isolated wet spot may expand. Take a photo of the same leaf at each check to distinguish a stable pattern from a change that is spreading. If several leaf stalks lose firmness in a wet pot, look at the visible part of the rhizome. A firm, intact rhizome and a darkening soft patch call for different responses. Lift the root ball only if the mix stays wet for a long time or the plant deteriorates. Support it from underneath and look for firm roots without pulling on the leaves. Empty standing water and move the plant away from neighboring pots while you investigate. Edges can dry near a radiator or after the mix has become too dry. If leaves turn yellow while the pot stays wet, first check drainage, the outer pot and the roots. If new leaves develop marks, examine their undersides and the area near the stalks. Fine webbing, moving specks or a distinct white coating warrant a closer look. A single mark is not enough to decide the cause. Check nearby pots if you suspect pests. Compare the next new leaves after correcting light, watering or cold exposure. ## Feeding once healthy growth has resumed  ### [Complex fertilizer for house plants](https://dunger.ua/en/mineral-fertilizers/small-packaging/for-landscape-design/16-complex-fertilizer-for-house-plants) If the roots are healthy, the begonia is growing and the mix has no fresh added fertilizer, check this DÜNGER liquid concentrate for root feeding of indoor plants. The label lists examples of indoor foliage groups. Confirm suitability for your begonia and its condition before using it. The 0.5 L bottle contains concentrate. Follow the directions for this exact product and apply after watering. Check whether another feed has already been applied and whether the roots show any signs of damage before choosing it. [Plan the growing zone in My Garden](https://dunger.ua/en/my-garden) ## Frequently asked questions ### Waterlogged roots may be short of air. Check the drainage holes and empty the outer pot. Avoid adding water just because leaves droop. If this happens repeatedly, inspect the mix for compaction and look for soft, damaged roots. ### ### ## Rate this article No ratings yet. Be the first! Rate this article ## Discussion(0) This discussion is shared across all article languages. Loading… Share this article ## Related Posts  [Indoor plants](https://dunger.ua/en/blog/categories/indoor-plants) ### Indoor Ficus Care for Weeping Fig and Rubber Plant Compare light and watering for two indoor ficus species. 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