Begonia 'Taurus' (Rex Begonia)

🌿 Meet Begonia 'Taurus', a rex begonia hybrid that's a real showstopper for anyone who loves bold foliage. This plant belongs to the Begoniaceae family and hails from the tropical and subtropical forests of Asia, where its wild relatives thrive in the dappled light under dense canopies. It's a beginner-friendly choice, which means you don't need years of plant experience to keep it happy. Here's a fun fact: rex begonias are grown almost entirely for their leaves rather than their flowers, and 'Taurus' doesn't disappoint with its dramatic colour and pattern.
FOLIAGE AND GROWTH HABIT
This begonia grows in a compact, mounding habit that stays neat without much fussing. The leaves are asymmetrical and slightly twisted, giving them a sculptural quality. They're deep burgundy to nearly black with metallic silver markings that shimmer when light hits them just right. The texture is slightly pebbled, almost like velvet, and the undersides are a rich wine red. It's the kind of plant that catches your eye every time you walk past it.
FLOWER DETAILS
Begonia 'Taurus' does produce small clusters of pale pink to white flowers on thin stems, but they're modest compared to the foliage. The blooms don't have much fragrance, and their appeal is more in the delicate contrast they provide against those dark, dramatic leaves. Flowering happens sporadically throughout the warmer months, usually spring through early autumn. If you want more blooms, keep the plant in consistent warmth and give it a bit of diluted fertilizer during the growing season. That said, most people grow this one for the leaves and pinch off the flowers to keep energy focused on foliage.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS

🌞 Light: Bright indirect light works best, around 4 to 6 hours a day. Avoid direct sun, which scorches the leaves and fades the colour.
💧 Water: Water when the top two centimetres of soil feel dry, usually once or twice a week in summer and less in winter. Bottom watering or watering at the soil line is ideal since wet leaves can lead to rot.
🌡️ Humidity: Prefers 50 to 60 percent humidity. If your home is dry, a pebble tray or humidifier helps.
🪴 Soil: Use a loose, well-draining mix. A blend for African violets or a mix of peat, perlite, and a bit of bark works well.
🏺 Potting: Choose a shallow pot with drainage holes, ideally terracotta or ceramic. Begonias have shallow roots, so a wide, shallow container suits them. Repot every 12 to 18 months in spring.
🌱 Growth rate: Moderate. Expect steady leaf production over six months, with the plant reaching full maturity around 30 to 40 centimetres wide within a year. Maximum size is about 45 centimetres across.
👩‍🌾 Fertilizing: Feed every two to four weeks during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Stop fertilizing in autumn and winter.
🐾 Pet friendly: No. Begonias contain oxalates that are toxic to cats and dogs, causing mouth irritation, drooling, and stomach upset if ingested.

WHERE TO PUT IT
Begonia 'Taurus' does well on a shelf, tabletop, or plant stand in a living room, bedroom, or bathroom where you can control the light and humidity. It loves a spot near an east or north-facing window where it gets gentle morning light or consistent brightness without harsh rays. Avoid placing it in drafty areas, near heating vents, or in rooms that get very cold at night. Kitchens with fluctuating temperatures and direct sun aren't ideal either.
RARITY ASSESSMENT
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