31 Different Varieties of Colorful Rex Begonias

Rex begonias are known for their foliage. They come in a wide range of patterns, colors, and shapes. Sometimes when I’m compiling lists of plants I have to think of different ways to say the same thing over and over again because the variation between varieties is small. But rex begonias vary greatly from variety to variety. According to the American Begonia Society, there are more than 4,000 varieties of rex begonias.

Some varieties of rex begonias will be easily available to purchase at garden centers. Look in the houseplant section. Some of them won’t have names, so you might have to do some searching to get the exact variety. This list of 31 varieties should help. I tried to pick ones that are more common and easy to find. However, if you have your heart set on a particular variety, you may have to find a specialty begonia seller to get it.

‘Painter’s Palette’ is a work of art that features a dark pink center that fades to a lighter pink and then to a frosty white. Then throughout the leaf, it has jolts of green that radiate outwards from the center. 

This variety looks great on its own in a container. I also use it in container displays in my shade gardens. Pair it with large leaf tropicals, like alocasia or an umbrella tree, for a great container combination.

‘Escargot’

	botanical name Rex Begonia ‘Escargot’
	plant type Annual, Perennial
	sun requirements Shade, Partial Shade
	water needs Average
	height Height: 12″ Width: 12″

‘Escargot’ is another of my favorite rex begonias because it is like an optical illusion. These pointed-leaf begonias are a dark green color. They have a frosty silver swirl that looks like a snail shell. The underside of the leaf has a reddish hue.

I love seeing this rex begonia in a pot on its own or planted along pathways for a hypnotic whimsical feel. Or it would look great in a pot underneath a sansevieria.

Jurassic™ ‘Silver Swirl’

	botanical name Jurassic™ Rex Begonia ‘Silver Swirl’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Shade, Partial Shade
	water needs Low to Average
	height Height: 18″ Width: 18″

The Jurassic series of rex begonia feature very unique foliage patterns and colors. Jurassic™ ‘Silver Swirl’ has large, irregularly shaped leaves. The foliage is dark, almost black, with a silvery swirl through it.

This begonia variety would look great with alyssum growing out from underneath it in the garden or in a container. Just note that these plants are suited for hardiness zones 10-11 when planted outdoors.

‘Salsa’

	botanical name Rex Begonia ‘Salsa’
	plant type Annual
	sun requirements Partial Shade
	water needs Average
	height Height: 8″ Width: 8″

‘Salsa’ rex begonia has smaller pointed leaves that have spectacular coloring. They have a dark green border that turns to a frosty silver and a dark fuschia center. It has dark green veins that run through the leaf and ties everything together. 

It’s bright and beautiful, like a bowl of fresh salsa. This would look great planted with a lush neutral vine such as Senecio ivy to really showcase the colors in the begonia.

T-Rex™ ‘Ruby Slippers’

	botanical name Begonia T-REX™ ‘Ruby Slippers’
	plant type Annual
	sun requirements Full Shade
	water needs Average
	height Height: 16″ Width: 16″

T-Rex™ is another series of rex begonias popular because of their large size and unique colors and patterns. ‘Ruby Slippers’ have large, irregularly shaped leaves.

What makes this variety so special is the ruby color of the leaves. They are a bright ruby pink color with a black center.

There are not too many plants with this color combination in their foliage. It is definitely one that will be noticed. Pair this with the Jurassic™ ‘Silver Swirl’ for a black and red Gothic theme.

‘Yamileth’

	botanical name Begonia ‘Yamileth’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Partial Shade
	water needs Average
	height Height: 10″ Width: 10″

‘Yamileth’ rex begonias have medium-sized leaves. They are dark green and fade to silver, then to a dark purple at the edges. It is a tight bushy plant that makes a lush potted houseplant.

In the garden, I would pair it with red or white geraniums. While geraniums are most often thought of as full-sun plants, if you buy them large and blooming, they will bloom all summer in part-sun conditions.

‘Curly Fireflush’

	botanical name Rex Begonia ‘Curly Fireflush’
	plant type Annual
	sun requirements Full Shade
	water needs Average to High
	height Height: 18″ Width: 24″

This unique variety features round leaves that are light frosty green with a bright red margin. The red border swirls around and creates a curled-looking leaf. It also has a dark red center and red veins radiating outwards.

Pair this variety with a red flower, such as a tuberous begonia, to really make the red in this variety stand out.

‘Cowardly Lion’

	botanical name Rex Begonia ‘Cowardly Lion’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Shade, Partial Shade
	water needs Average
	height Height: 12″ Width: 12″

This variety of rex begonia features fairly large-sized, swirled leaves. They are an even green color with chocolate-brown streaks through the veins. It can also take on some amber and red hues, depending on the sun exposure.

This variety is not super vibrant; it’s the interesting leaf details that make it special. Plant ‘Cowardly Lion’ up close to enjoy its intricacies.

In the garden, I’d pair it with Ajuga, or Bugleweed. The burgundy colors in this ground cover should complement ‘Cowardly Lion’ perfectly.

Jurassic™ ‘Watermelon’

	botanical name Jurassic™ Rex Begonia ‘Watermelon’
	plant type Annual
	sun requirements Shade, Partial Shade
	water needs Average
	height Height: 18″ Width: 18″

The Jurassic series of rex begonia are all large and impressive. Jurassic™ ‘Watermelon’ has large pointed leaves. But what makes it really special is the colors.

It starts with a deep burgundy center. This center radiates out to bright pink then it turns to bright green. Within this green color are irregular white spots. To finish off, it has a dark burgundy margin that matches the very center.

Every leaf has this pattern, making the entire plant absolutely striking. Pair with plain bright foliage like lime green ipomoea to really draw attention to the detailed foliage.

‘Fireworks’

	botanical name Begonia ‘Fireworks’
	plant type Annual
	sun requirements Full Shade
	water needs Average to High
	height Height: 18″ Width: 18″

‘Fireworks’ rex begonias pack quite a punch. The large, pointed leaves have three layers of colors that look like exploding fireworks. The middle is a dark burgundy color that explodes in the center and through the leaf veins.

Then it is a frost silver color which really makes the dark center stand out. Then it has a pink margin followed by a thin darker purple margin.

This begonia is really intricate and beautiful. I would love to see this paired with a Japanese-painted fern. The silvery foliage and reddish stems would be a perfect color contrast.

‘Paso Doble’

	botanical name Begonia ‘Paso Doble’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Shade, Partial Shade
	water needs Average
	height Height: 12″ Width: 12″

This begonia is named after a twirling Spanish dance, looking much like the spiral pattern, just like ‘Escargot’. The colors are fiery. It starts with a dark burgundy color in the center, then it has a pink swirl and a green swirl.

The green swirl has irregular white polka dots through it. Then it is finished with a crisp dark burgundy border. It looks like a dancer’s skirt in motion.

This intricate flower looks great on its own or when planted with some pink flowers. A pink wax begonia would make for a pretty combination.

‘Ring of Fire’

	botanical name Begonia ‘Ring of Fire’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Shade, Partial Shade
	water needs Low to Average
	height Height: 10″ Width: 10″

If you are looking for a unique rex begonia variety, ‘Ring of Fire’ really stands out. If you are a collector of begonias, this one is a must-have.

It has pointed leaves that are very serrated and jagged. It has a bright splash of red in the middle with a frosty silver color toward the edges, with green veins shooting through it. A red border, the same color as the middle splash finishes it.

I would just place this begonia in a terracotta pot on its own. You will have a hard time matching or contrasting the red color of this begonia. If you want to pair it with another plant, try a silvery ghost fern that will make the silver in the begonia shine.

‘Satin Jazz’

	botanical name Begonia ‘Satin Jazz’
	plant type Annual
	sun requirements Partial Sun
	water needs Low to Average
	height Height: 12″ Width: 18″

This is a pretty variety of begonia. ‘Satin Jazz’ features pointed leaves that are jagged and ruffled. It is a frosty silver color that blushes a pinkish-purple color.

It has a small dark almost black, center. Then it has a small crisp dark margin that really accentuates the ruffled foliage.

‘Satin Jazz’ would look great planted next to a blue star fern. The pop of green from the fern would make this ghostly plant look all the more mysteriously pretty.

‘Ballet’

	botanical name Begonia ‘Ballet’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Part Shade to Part Sun
	water needs Average
	height Height: 8″ Width: 8″

This petite beauty is as delicate as the dance it’s named after. ‘Ballet’ has small, heart-shaped leaves with a medium green center and border. In between, it is a lovely, frosted silver. The stems and undersides of the leaves blush a reddish-pink color.

This variety would be great to pair with other rex begonias. It has a neutral color palette, and the small dainty leaves would contrast nicely against a larger leaf variety, like one in the Jurassic™ series.

‘Red Tango’

	botanical name Rex Begonia ‘Red Tango’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Shade, Partial Shade
	water needs Low to Average
	height Height: 8″ Width: 12″

This nice compact rex begonia variety is ‘Red Tango’, which has the familiar pink, white, and green coloring pattern – but with a bit of a twist.

It has a dark center and an even green margin. It is a frosty white in between. Then it just blushes pink, and it melds in with the white, not a crisp distinction. The leaves are smaller in size and pointed.

Pair this with any pink flower, perhaps a new guinea impatiens, to draw attention to the blushing pink color in the variety’s foliage.

‘Flamenco’

	botanical name Rex Begonia ‘Flamenco’
	plant type Annual, Perennial
	sun requirements Shade, Partial Shade
	water needs Low to Average
	height Height: 8″ Width: 8″

Another beautiful little variety is named after a vibrant dance. ‘Flamenco’ begonia is a small variety with rounded leaves. Its leaves are light green in color, with dark lightning streaks through the veins.

The back of the leaf and stems are red and have small fuzzy hairs along them. There are also small spikes of red hairs that poke out of the front of the leaf.

You could really make the red hairs stand out by planting them next to a red flower like a red tuberous begonia.

‘Paul Gibory’

	botanical name Begonia ‘Paul Gibory’
	plant type Annual
	sun requirements Part Shade to Part Sun
	water needs Average to High
	height Height: 18″ Width: 18″

This pointed heart-shaped rex begonia will definitely be noticed. The leaves have a dark maroon center that radiates outwards to define the pointed lobes of the leaves.

There are also some small hair-like follicles that grow on the surface. The margin is medium green speckled with white. The center is white and blushes with lilac to pink.

This variety is bold and beautiful. It would look great as a feature plant on its own. Or maybe place it next to a majesty palm for a tropical look.

Photo Credit: The original uploader was Mininain at French Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons. Image Use Permitted With Attribution.

‘Stained Glass’

	botanical name Begonia ‘Stained Glass’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Shade, Partial Shade
	water needs Average
	height Height: 12″ Width: 12″

Brightly-colored ‘Stained Glass’ begonia has large round leaves that come to a slight point. It has a velvety dark purple color in the center that radiates through the veins.

The center is a large splash of a berry purple color. The margin is frosty and is spattered with a berry purple color. It finishes with a dark purple margin.

‘Stained Glass’ has such a pretty berry color! I would pair this with a white flower, such as white wax begonia, to make that little frosted border pop.

‘Marmaduke’

	botanical name Begonia ‘Marmaduke’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Shade, Partial Shade
	water needs Average to High
	height Height: 12″ Width: 12″

If you are looking for a fun variety, ‘Marmaduke’ is a great option! It has large three-lobed leaves with jagged edges that are a golden yellow color. The whole leaf is speckled with a bright red color. If you collect begonias, this one should be on your list.

The leaf shape and coloring are unique, and it will stand out in a collection of begonias. If I were pairing this begonia with another plant, I would plant it with golden creeping Jenny to match the golden foliage underneath the red freckles.

‘Fairy’

	botanical name Begonia ‘Fairy’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Shade, Partial Shade
	water needs Average
	height Height: 12″ Width: 12″

‘Fairy’ begonia has large pointed leaves. They are a lovely frosted silver color with a purple center. The purple radiates through the veins of the leaf.

It then finishes off with a purple margin. The leaves may blush light pink. Pair this variety with a Japanese-painted fern for a frosted purple combination.

‘Rumba’

	botanical name Begonia Rex ‘Rumba’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Partial Sun
	water needs Low to Average
	height Height: 8″ Width: 8″

This is a sweet little variety of rex begonia. ‘Rumba’ has small heart-shaped leaves that have thick lines of black around the margins and throughout the veins. Splashes of berry-pink color come through in the leaves. It has a dark Gothic feel.

Plant with a variety of black pansies for a dark combination. Or, add a brightly colored creeping Jenny to plant underneath it if in a container for contrast.

Jurassic™ ‘Cherry Spike’

	botanical name Jurassic™ Rex Begonia ‘Cherry Spike’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Shade
	water needs Low to Average
	height Height: 20″ Width: 20″

Another gigantic Jurassic™ rex begonia that I love is ‘Cherry Spike’. Aptly named for its large, deeply spiked leaves. It has a dark center that radiates out the veins and a dark black margin.

The inside of the leaf is silver but blushes a bright cherry color. This spikey giant looks great on its own in a white or black pot. If planting in the garden I would pair it with bright white ghost hostas to really highlight the begonia.

‘Red Kiss’

	botanical name Begonia ‘Red Kiss’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Shade, Partial Shade
	water needs Average
	height Height: 8″ Width: 8″

This sweet little leaf variety has such vibrant colors. ‘Red Kiss’ leaves have a velvety black center and perimeter. Then the centers are glossy cherry red. This variety has many small rounded leaves with a glossy sheen.

This begonia looks perfect on its own, filling a small pot. Maybe accentuated with a green dracaena to add height to a garden container.

‘Jive’

	botanical name Begonia ‘Jive’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Part Shade to Part Sun
	water needs Low to Average
	height Height: 12″ Width: 12″

‘Jive’ is a super fun and bright variety. Another one to be sure to add to your collection. It has irregular, slightly heart-shaped leaves. The leaves have a slight ruffle to them, which creates lots of layers and volume in the plant.

The foliage is a bright lime green color. The margins of the leaf are spotted with red. I think this variety would look lovely planted with lime green coral bell, such as ‘Lime Rickey’.

‘China Curl’

	botanical name Begonia ‘China Curl’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Shade, Partial Shade
	water needs Average
	height Height: 14″ Width: 14″

This swirled variety of rex begonia is stunning and elegant. It has a swirled leaf, one swirl is frosted silver, and the other is almost black. The leaves are large and heart-shaped.

It’s like the more dramatic version of an ‘Escargot’ begonia. The contrast of the light and dark swirls is striking. Plant in a pot with some tuberous white begonia for an elegant look.

‘Froggy’

	botanical name Begonia ‘Froggy’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Part Shade to Part Sun
	water needs Average
	height Height: 18″ Width: 18″

This rex begonia variety is speckled, like a frog’s back. The leaves are spiral-shaped (like an ‘Escargot’ Begonia). It’s a bright lime green color with reddish-black speckles near the margins.

This variety also has fuzzy edges, which give it a bit of added texture. Plant this with a dark burgundy-colored ipomoea. It will really draw attention to the speckled margin while making the bright green pop.

‘Maui Sunset’

	botanical name Begonia Rex ‘Maui Sunset’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Shade
	water needs Average to High
	height Height: 8″ Width: 8″

‘Maui Sunset’ is a compact yet festive begonia. It has tear-drop-shaped leaves with a bright pinkish-red center. Then it has a border of white and green speckles.

This festive begonia is a great alternative to a poinsettia. It has all the Christmas colors on its large leaves. Plant with a lemon cypress for a festive holiday planter.

Jurassic™ ‘Silver Point’

	botanical name Jurassic™ Rex Begonia ‘Silver Point’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Shade
	water needs Average
	height Height: 18″ Width: 18″

Jurassic™ ‘Silver Point’ is a large leaf rex begonia. It has massive jagged leaves that come to a point. They have a velvety black center and margin. The midsection is frosty silver that blushes a slight pink.

Pair this begonia with black mondo grass for a sharp black-and-white color palette.

‘River Nile’

	botanical name Begonia ‘River Nile’
	plant type Annual
	sun requirements Shade, Partial Shade
	water needs Average
	height Height: 24″ Width: 24″

This rex begonia looks similar to ‘Jive’. They both have bright green leaves bordered in a darker color. ‘River Nile’ is a striking begonia with lime green slightly spiraled leaves with dark reddish-brown margins that are ruffled.

‘River Nile’ is quite large, reaching about 2 feet high and wide. It would look great planted with coral bells.

‘Shadow King Cool White’

	botanical name Begonia ‘Shadow King Cool White’
	plant type Annual
	sun requirements Shade, Partial Shade
	water needs Average
	height Height: 12″ Width: 12″

This is a strikingly unique begonia that appears to be a deep green. However, it is frosted with a dusty white color with splotches of pure white speckled on it.

The deep green only shows through the veins and the back is a copper color. There is also a tiny copper point in the center of each leaf.

The leaves are large and pointed with jagged edges. I would pair this with an orange tuberous begonia to really pop those orange highlights in this rex begonia. It is also a great way to illuminate dark corners and borders.

‘Harmony’s Fire Woman’

	botanical name Begonia ‘Harmony’s Fire Woman’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Shade, Partial Shade
	water needs Average
	height Height: 24″ Width: 18″

This begonia has large pointed leaves. The center is a dark velvet black that is just a splotch in the middle. It is then a nice frosted silver that blushes light pink near the black center.

It is finished with a wide berry purple margin and a very thin black margin at the very perimeter. This really provides definition to each individual leaf. I might pair this with a berry-colored heuchera such as Dolce ‘Wildberry’ to really make that purple edge stand out.