Difference Between Red & Green Leafed Begonias

Wax Begonias

• Wax begonias (Begonia semperflorens hybrids) earn their name because of their waxy leaves. Also called fibrous begonias because of their fibrous root system, wax begonias are commonly used as landscape bedding begonias. Red- or bronze-leafed wax begonias are better suited for full sun than green-leafed begonias. Dragon wing begonia is a hybrid cross between an angel wing begonia and a wax begonia. Its leaves and flowers are larger than most begonias, and its growth rate is phenomenal, according to the Georgia Gold Medal plant program. Although its leaves are green throughout the growing season, they exhibit red shades when the weather turns cooler in autumn.

Tuberous Begonias

• Tuberous begonias (B. tuberhybrida) grow from tubers instead of fibrous roots on wax begonias. Their leaves are green and require shady spots to grow best. Single or double flowers arise in many colors. Another tuberous begonia, B. evansiana, is a hardy southern perennial heirloom plant. Its leaves are wing-shaped with heavy red venation. Clemson Cooperative Extension suggests planting hardy begonias where the low afternoon sun can shine through their leaves to feature their green and red coloration.

Rex Begonias

• Some begonias are grown primarily for their foliage instead of their flowers. The Rex begonia (B. rex cultorum) is one such plant. The American Begonia Society calls Rex begonias the showboats of the begonia world, with cultivars varying in plant and leaf size, leaf shape, leaf pattern and leaf color. Many plants exhibit shades of red or green in their leaves, such as "Red Heart" with red leaves and "Escargot" with green leaves. Some cultivars, such as “Merry Christmas,” have red and green leaves.

Red Leaves From Disease

• Care must be taken when purchasing begonias to ensure that red leaf color is present because of natural cultivation and not because of disease. Foliar nematodes attack some begonias, resulting in excessive red pigment development in infected leaves, according to Penn State Extension. Elatior begonias are extremely susceptible to foliar nematodes, and pest prevention is the best management practice. Overhead irrigation and rainwater splash back on plants is the primary cause of the spread of this disease. Infected plants cannot be treated and must be discarded.