Begonia rex Fireworks
Quick Stats:
Care Level: Easy
Light: Shade to Partial-Shade
Humidity: High
Plant Size: 40cm max
Terrarium Size: Medium
Placement: In Soil
Introduction Begonia rex Fireworks
This stunning purple rhizomatous begonia is highly desired in the plant community and does extremely well in terrariums designed for diurnal, humid, slightly cooler terrarium species. It’s easy to grow so beginners will be happy with it, but its unique look will impress advanced keepers as well. Treat it like your basic begonia. Plant it in soil, don’t over water it, don’t hit it with too much light, and it will thrive for years.
Lighting, Watering, and Humidity Requirements:
“Fireworks” prefers the shade, so be sure to plant it under a larger plant or hardscape feature, such as a cork bark overhang. It is happy with a night time temperature drop, but will handle consistent temperatures as well. This begonia does prefer things a little on the drier side in the roots area, so be careful not to over water it. Plant it in a location in the terrarium that dries out fully between waterings. Do not let the roots sit in stagnant water or they will rot quickly. Humidity can be quite variable, and this species is content in anything above 40%. Try not to keep it consistently above 80% though, as it does appreciate drying out occasionally. Slightly cooler temperatures will bring out the color of the leaves more vibrantly, and it will be content in up to 35 and as low as 10 degrees Celsius.
Terrarium Placement:
This begonia is fairly small, but in little terrariums it can look a bit daunting. In huge terrariums it can be placed in the foreground, and as the terrarium size shrinks, you may end up wanting to put it in the midground, or even elevated in the background in a pot built into the backdrop. Plant it gently but securely in soil in a dry area of the terrarium. “Fireworks” bushes out in a mounding pattern, so it will form a cute half-circle. It grows quickly, and will reach its full size within six months, easily.
Maintenance and Seasonal Care:
This begonia does produce pink flowers seasonally. If you give it a varying temperature cycle year round, the leaves will also change in intensity. They will begin to dull in summer temperatures and explode with purple in winter temperatures. The flowering season is in the cooler, winter temperatures. Do not prune this begonia, and allow it to do its own thing. All you need to do is gently remove any dead leaves and it will be content.
Cool Facts:
-”Fireworks” is easier to grow than the basic rex plant!
-Rhizomatous, so it can be grown from a clipping.
-Likes to be given organically rich soil regularly
