Complete guide to begonia rex 'Salsa' care

The begonia rex 'Salsa' is a beautiful and popular houseplant known for its stunning leaves. We call ours Karina. With its vibrant colours and unique patterns, it will add a touch of elegance to any room in your home. In this article, we’ll explore how to care for a begonia rex 'Salsa' to keep it healthy and thriving. Our top tips are:

• Water when the top two inches of soil feel dry and try to avoid overwatering
• For super vibrant leaves, pop your begonia in a spot that gets indirect bright light
• Give it a light spritz with the mister, but try not to get those fabulous leaves too wet or you might spot some mildew

Begonias have become popular across the world, both as indoor and outdoor plants (the dramatically flowering ones are a British garden staple). There are over 1800 known species of begonia but this particular variety of begonia has richly coloured leaves, with an eye-catching red centre and pale green edges.

The begonia rex 'Salsa' prefers bright, indirect light, so it’s best to place it near a window with filtered sunlight, ideally behind a sheer curtain. It can also tolerate lower light levels, but this might cause the leaves to become less vibrant. It’s important to keep the plant away from direct sunlight, as this can scorch the leaves.

When it comes to watering your begonia rex 'Salsa', it’s important to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water the plant when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. It’s also important to avoid getting water on the leaves, as this can cause them to rot or develop mildew.

The begonia rex 'Salsa' prefers warm, humid conditions, so it’s important to keep it in a warm spot away from chilly draughts. A temperature range of 18-24°C is ideal. It’s also important to keep a high level of humidity around the plant. You can do this by lightly misting the plant regularly or by placing a tray of water near the plant to create its own little humid microclimate.

To keep your begonia rex 'Salsa' healthy and thriving, it’s important to feed it with a diluted balanced, water-soluble fertiliser every couple of weeks during the spring and summer growing season. Don’t worry about feeding your plant during the winter. It is important to dilute the fertiliser to half the recommended strength, as the plant is sensitive to overfeeding.

Regular pruning is an important part of caring for your begonia rex 'Salsa'. This plant tends to grow bushy and might need the occasional haircut to keep its shape. Snip away any yellow, brown or dead leaves as soon as you notice them to keep the plant looking healthy and full. Don’t forget to use clean scissors or secateurs.

If you want to propagate your begonia rex 'Salsa', you can do so by taking stem cuttings. Cut a stem with several leaves and place it in a pot with moist soil. Cover the pot with a plastic bag (you can reuse one as long as it’s clean) to create a humid environment, and keep the soil moist. After a few weeks, the stem should begin to grow new roots.

The begonia rex 'Salsa' is primarily grown for its stunning leaves, but it can also produce small pink flowers in the spring and summer if you’re lucky. Blooming isn’t guaranteed but to encourage flowers it’s important to keep the plant in a warm, humid environment with bright, indirect light.

The begonia rex 'Salsa' is generally pretty pest-free, but it can be susceptible to mealybugs and spider mites. If you notice any signs of pests, like webbing or white cotton-like substance on the leaves, you can treat the plant with a mixture of water and mild soap or insecticidal soap. Really thoroughly spray all parts of the plant, including the undersides of the leaves. Repeat the treatment every week until the pests are gone.

The begonia rex 'Salsa' is a stunning and easy-to-care-for houseplant that can add a pop of colour to any room in your home. By following these simple care tips, you can keep your plant healthy and thriving.