One rhythm, several types. Begonia is one of the largest genera of flowering plants, more than two thousand species (Plants of the World Online, n.d.). It is pantropical, native across the tropical Americas, sub-Saharan Africa, and southern and Southeast Asia. Despite the spread, most begonias want the conditions of the forest understory they came from: warm, bright but shaded, humid, and never waterlogged.

Growers sort them by habit rather than botany. Cane types grow upright on jointed, bamboo-like stems and flower in hanging clusters. Rhizomatous types, which include the foliage-famous Rex begonias, creep along the surface on thick stems and are grown for their leaves. Tuberous types grow from an underground tuber and rest each year.

The core care is the same for all of them; what changes is how you stage the plant. Those differences, and the handful that change care, live on the species cards in this guide.

Light & warmth. Bright, indirect light suits the genus, with harsh direct sun kept off the leaves. Rex and other foliage types are happy in medium light, while cane and flowering types want it brighter to bloom well. Keep them warm, around 60 to 75°F (16–24°C), and clear of cold drafts; begonias are tender and dislike a chill.

Water & airflow. This is where begonias are won or lost. Keep the mix lightly moist but let the surface dry between waterings, and water at soil level rather than over the leaves, in the morning. Wet foliage and still, damp air invite powdery mildew and gray mold, so give the plant room to breathe. Raise humidity with a humidifier or pebble tray, not by wetting the leaves.

Substrate & nutrients. Pot in a light, airy, well-drained mix on peat or coir with perlite; begonias rot in heavy, wet soil. Rhizomatous and Rex types are shallow-rooted and do well in wide, shallow pots. Feed a dilute balanced fertilizer through active growth and ease off in the darker months.

Know the type. Cane types stand tall and want brighter light, support and yearly pruning. Rhizomatous and Rex types crawl and are grown for foliage, so give them a wide, shallow pot and higher humidity. Tuberous types fall back to the tuber and rest each year. Read the type first, then stage to it.