Complete guide to begonia rex 'Hugh McLauchlan' care

The begonia rex 'Hugh McLauchlan' is a stunning houseplant, known for its vibrant foliage and unique patterns. Inspired by the botanical name, we call ours Hugh. It's a great addition to any indoor garden and is relatively easy to care for, as long as you follow a few basic steps:

• Water it when the top two inches of soil feel dry
• Avoid harsh direct sunlight, but keep this begonia’s leaves colourful with bright, indirect light
• This plant loves humidity, but hates wet leaves, so be gentle with the misting

Begonias have become popular across the world, both as indoor and outdoor plants (the dramatically flowering ones are a British garden staple). This particular variety of begonia has striking purple-red leaves, with intricate dark purple veins.

The begonia rex 'Hugh McLauchlan' needs bright, indirect light to thrive. Place your plant in a spot that receives bright but filtered light, like a north-facing window or a shaded area of a south-facing window. Try to avoid exposing your plant to direct sunlight, as it can cause its delicate leaves to burn and wilt.

The begonia rex 'Hugh McLauchlan' needs bright, indirect light to thrive. Place your plant in a spot that receives bright but filtered light, like a north-facing window or a shaded area of a south-facing window. Try to avoid exposing your plant to direct sunlight, as it can cause its delicate leaves to burn and wilt.

A begonia rex 'Hugh McLauchlan' prefers to be kept consistently moist, but not waterlogged. Water your plant when the top two inches of soil feel dry to the touch, and make sure to water deeply enough so that the water reaches the roots. Avoid overwatering your plant, as it can lead to root rot and other issues. Always take your begonia out of its decorative pot to water and let the water drain through fully before putting it back.

The begonia rex 'Hugh McLauchlan' needs plenty of humidity to thrive, so it's pretty essential to give it a humid environment. You can increase the humidity around your plant by misting it with water regularly, placing a humidifier nearby, or popping a tray filled with pebbles and water underneath the pot. Try not to get the leaves too wet, these plants can develop mildew.

A begonia rex 'Hugh McLauchlan' prefers warm temperatures between 18-24°C. Keep your plant away from cold draughts, as it can cause its leaves to turn yellow and drop. Avoid putting your plant in a room that gets too hot, the leaves will be more likely to wilt and dry out.

Typically a begonia rex 'Hugh McLauchlan' needs regular feeding to keep its fabulous foliage looking healthy and vibrant. Use a diluted balanced, water-soluble fertiliser every 2-3 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer) and don’t worry about fertilising in winter when your plant is dormant. Avoid over-fertilising your plant, as it can cause the leaves to burn and drop.

Generally, a begonia rex 'Hugh McLauchlan' will need repotting every 1-2 years, depending on how quickly it’s growing. When repotting, choose a nursery pot that is slightly larger than the current one, with drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. Use a well-draining houseplant soil mix.

The begonia rex 'Hugh McLauchlan' is a beautiful and rewarding plant to care for, you just need to look after its basic needs.