Do you miss your beautiful plants and flowers once winter approaches? Why not try growing a begonia indoors that will lift your spirits and help purify the air. I currently grow three begonias in my dining room. These are not the normal bedding plants you buy at the nursery. They are more tropical and grown for their "fancy leaves."
Rex Begonia
My Rex begonia is a couple of years old and has grown quite large. I may need to re-pot it come this spring. It does bloom, but the flowers are small and insignificant compared to the beautiful leaves.
Begonia Phoe's Cleo
Another beauty is Phoe's Cleo. This one is a rhizomatous begonia which means it grows from rhizomes. Rhizomatous begonias are also known for their attractive leaves but they are also said to have a showy flower bloom in the spring. I haven't had this one for long so I'm anxious to see it bloom. In the meantime check out this beautiful foliage.
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Begonia Grandis aka Hardy Begonia
While the first two begonia's are tropical and cannot be grown outside in most of the country, this last one is a hardy begonia that grows well in my garden. I like to dig up a small patch and pot it up to bring inside. This is begonia grandis and it has pretty heart-shaped leaves with red veining and cute pink flowers. Read more about begonia grandis here.
All three of these begonia require indirect light and medium water. I usually water them thoroughly once a week with a little fertilizer for indoor plants and they look great. So, what do you think? Will you add it to your wish list?
You may be able to find a fancy leaf begonia at your local supermarket or big box store, but if not here are a few online sources:
The Violet Barn
Logees
Kartuz Greenhouses
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