Lest you get the wrong idea, let me tell you right up front: I don't grow Rex Begonias, though I think they are the most beautiful ones of all. I have trouble in my garden with snails. For me, Rex Begonias are snail candy.
But oh how I love the foliage! These little beauties are good for a shady spot that's high in humidity -- maybe under a philodendron or tucked up into the hostas. They can freeze in our winters, and your safest best is to keep them in containers. Don't overwater, and provide a bit more fertilizer than you normally would use on foliage plants. I think they do best with a regular dose of a dilute liquid formulation. In cool weather, morning sun is probably okay. Don't be surprised if your Rex Begonias fade out a bit in the summer: they prefer cooler temps. If you have them in pots, you can bring them in winter and summer, leaving them outside in the spring and fall.
There are a great many Rex Begonia cultivars -- look for them where florist-quality plants are sold. This isn't your average bedding plant.
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Wow, they are stunning. And, since they look like human candy, I can see how they would become snail candy.
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