Rex Begonia 'Red Kiss'

🌿 Rex Begonia 'Red Kiss' (Begonia rex-cultorum 'Red Kiss') is a stunning foliage plant from the Begoniaceae family, bred from wild species native to the forest floors of northeastern India and southern China. This cultivar features dramatic leaves with deep burgundy-red centres surrounded by metallic silver edges, creating a striking contrast that catches light beautifully. It's best suited for intermediate gardeners who can maintain consistent humidity and avoid common watering mistakes. Fun fact: Rex begonias are grown entirely for their leaves—the flowers are so small and insignificant that many growers pinch them off to keep the plant's energy focused on producing more of that gorgeous foliage.
FOLIAGE AND GROWTH HABIT
This begonia grows in a compact, mounding habit with leaves emerging from a rhizomatous base. The foliage is asymmetrical and heart-shaped, with a puckered, almost quilted texture that adds depth and dimension. Leaf colour ranges from deep wine-red to burgundy in the centre, transitioning to silvery-pink and metallic pewter tones toward the scalloped edges. The undersides are dark red, and the leaves have a soft, velvety feel that makes them irresistible to touch.
FLOWER DETAILS
Rex Begonia 'Red Kiss' produces small, pale pink or white flowers on thin stems that rise above the foliage, but they're not the main attraction. The blooms are delicate and simple in structure, with no noticeable fragrance. They appear sporadically throughout the year, usually in late winter or spring, but most growers remove them because flowering can stress the plant and detract from leaf production. If you want to encourage the plant to focus its energy on foliage, simply pinch off flower buds as soon as they appear.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
🌞 Light: Bright, indirect light for 6-8 hours daily. Avoid direct sun, which scorches leaves. North or east-facing windows work best.
💧 Water: Keep soil lightly moist but never soggy. Water when the top 2-3 cm feels dry. In winter, reduce frequency. Bottom watering prevents water from sitting on leaves, which causes rot.
🌡️ Humidity: 50-70% humidity is ideal. Dry air causes crispy leaf edges. Use a humidifier or pebble tray.
🪴 Soil: Light, well-draining mix with peat, perlite, and orchid bark. Avoid heavy soils that hold too much moisture.
🏺 Potting: Shallow pots (10-15 cm) with drainage holes. Terracotta or ceramic works well. Repot every 1-2 years in spring.
🌱 Growth rate: Moderate. Expect 3-5 new leaves over 6 months. Reaches 20-30 cm tall and 25-35 cm wide at maturity.
👩‍🌾 Fertilizing: Feed monthly from spring through early fall with diluted (half-strength) balanced liquid fertilizer. Skip winter feeding.
🐾 Pet friendly: No. Toxic to cats and dogs. Contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause oral irritation, drooling, and vomiting if ingested.
WHERE TO PUT IT
Place your Rex Begonia 'Red Kiss' in a bathroom with a window, a bright kitchen counter away from the stove, or on a desk in a home office with filtered light. It thrives in stable environments with moderate temperatures between 18-24°C. Avoid placing it near heating vents, air conditioners, drafty windows, or in rooms that get too cold at night. Keep it away from direct sunlight, which will bleach and burn the leaves, and away from low-light corners where it will become leggy and lose its vibrant colouring.