Rare Begonias: Over Twenty Odd Varieties for Every Plant Lover 

There are many rare begonias in the Begoniaceae family that you may not be aware of. With 3-D textures, to color-changing capabilities, these odd varieties will not only steal your heart but will also adorn your home space beautifully.

In this article, we list out such rare begonias for you to grow. Continue reading to learn what makes them rare and how they stand out from the rest of the begonia genus plants.

The Elatior Begonia might not be a rare one, but it is the most popular begonia and easy to care for.

Rare Begonias	What Makes Them Unique
Begonia Baramensis	Dark green-almost black leaves with prominent pink veins and silver splotches on leaf margins and leaf blades.
Begonia Manicata Aureomaculata	White and yellow variegation that makes it look like leopard skin
Begonia Longiciliata Sizemoreae	Crinkled leaf texture with deep veneration and white hairs on the edges
Begonia Imperialis	Heart-shaped leaves with a velvety texture and dark-green base with stripes
Begonia Luxurians	Similar to a mini palm tree comes with long leaves, bronze undersides, and maroon stem
Begonia Listada	Compact plant with dark green leaves with bold stripes on its surface
Begonia Blancii Variegata	Spatula-like thick leaves with striking mottled patterns in yellow, brown, and green
Begonia Rex	Large leaves with silver-green stripes and burgundy undersides
Begonia Rex Tie-dye	Have an attractive spiral leaf pattern with a silvery-white midsection. Shaped like a maple leaf, it is pink and red with elongated tips
Begonia Black Mamba	Dark almost black foliage with attractive and contrasting pink margins and blooms
Begonia Brevirimosa	Find large leaves that make a statement with dark green metallic leaves that bear a pink-striped pattern
Begonia Plebeja	Bears large leaves with a lily pad shape and emerald green color. Find distinctive brown markings that add to its charm
Begonia Soli-mutata	You will see the foliage turning darker as the light around it intensifies. The leaf texture is pebbly and has hues of pink and red
Begonia Dregei	Spotted begonia leaves are shaped similar to a maple plant. Produces white and pink blooms
Begonia Microsperma	Round leaves, foliage packed with bristle-like hairs and buttercup-shaped flowers that bloom in summer
Begonia Kingiana	Leaves bear deep venations of green and yellow that make it look like a tortoiseshell
Begonia Mazae Nigricans	Spot leaves that are shaped like angel wings and foliage that turn dark as the plant matures with age
Begonia Crassicaulis	The plant defoliates in winter and has a thick stem that bears leaves with lobes on the surface, looking palm-like
Begonia Salaziensis	Elliptical-shaped leaves with a matte surface. Produces pink and white blooms in dark-green color, showy pink/white blooms
Begonia X Voodoo	Dark Green spade-shaped thick leaves with prominent silver streaks that form a pattern
Begonia Maculata	Ornamental patterns on large leaves that bear a reddish tinge on the underside
Begonia Amphioxus	Lance-shaped leaves that bear red spots giving it an appearance of a butterfly
Begonia Masoniana	The red cross-like pattern on the leathery surface of the leaf
Begonia Fuchsioides	Bushy dark foliage with elliptical-shaped leaves
Begonia Goergoussis	Have large leaves with bronze and red undersides. Produces small pink flowers in summers and autumn
Begonia Chloroneura large	Green fluorescent veins on a dark green leaf. Produces white and pink flowers that occur in clusters

List of the Rarest Begonia

– Begonia Baramensis

 This is one of the most attractive plants in the begonia collection as the foliage gives a starry night sky appearance. Begonia baramesis has the darkest shade of green that is almost black to look at.

They are spade-shaped, with prominent pink veins on the surface, and coupled with the dark surface, they make for a beautiful sight. Additionally, the outer edge is bordered with specks of silver and random splotches on the leaf blades as well.

– Begonia Manicata Aureomaculata

A rare terrarium plant variety with white and yellow variegated patterns on a dark green leaf, this begonia variety resembles nothing but leopard’s skin, which gives it another name which is leopard begonia.

The almost heart-shaped leaves are glossy and broad with red petioles and feathery hairs on the margins.

– Begonia Longifolia Sizemoreae

Characterized by large rounded leaves, the plant can easily grow to a height of twelve to fifteen inches in height. The foliage is dark green with deep pink undersides and dense hairs of red and white on the stems. The dark green leaves also bear detailed veining, are crinkled on the surface, and have soft white hairs all along the edges.

– Begonia Imperialis

The variety bears elegant and beautiful heart-shaped leaves with a curvy tip. You will find splashes of silver-green at the base of the leaf with dark-green stripes.

The surface is cobbled with feathery soft hairs covering it completely. The plant grows to an average height of six to fifteen inches.

– Begonia Luxurians

 Also called the palm-leaf begonia, due to its semblance to a mini palm tree, this variety comes with long, lance-shaped leaves that are deep green. The edges of the leaves are serrated and the surface is glossy.

Leaf undersides are in a bronze shade and the stems are thin and maroon in color. You will also find them producing yellow blooms in early summers that emit a sweet scent. The plant grows to a height of one to meter.

– Begonia Listada

 This is a compact variety that grows to a height of only seven to ten inches. It makes for a perfect ornamental plant as the leaves resemble angel wings or lips. Additionally, it is also popularly known as “the striped begonia” knowing that the leaves bear bright green stripes running straight through it.

With a deep green tinge, the surface bears tiny hairs that give it a velvety texture. The burgundy undersides and the blooms that look like daisies are note-worthy as well.

– Begonia Blancii Variegata

 This small begonia with a height of about twelve inches is intriguing due to its striking leaf patterns. The leaves are thick and spatula-like and bear a mottled appearance in shades of yellow, brown, and dark green. The stems are pink-red and bear fine hairs. The plant produces blooms occasionally that are tulip-like in pink and white colors.

– Begonia Rex

Ovulate leaves with shades of metallic green, purple, and pink make this plant foliage extremely eye-catching. The large leaves are also streaked with silver-green veins.

The rex variety is also commonly called painted leaf begonia or the king begonia and grows to a height of one to two feet.

The leaf undersides and stems also pose an interesting burgundy shade that adds to its beauty and charm.

– Begonia Rex Tie-dye

lso known as “the tie-dye,” it is simple to say that this variety grows to a height of ten to fourteen inches and has an attractive spiral leaf pattern in red, pink, and white color.

The midsection is silvery white with a pinkish-red color scheme. The shape of this rare begonia rex is almost like a maple leaf, broad with multiple exaggerated pointed tips.

– Begonia Black Mamba

 A small and dramatic plant, what sets this variety apart is its black foliage. The star-shaped leaves form a spiral structure at the center and have a coating of fine pink hairs on the surface. Occasionally you will notice pink blooms on the tall stalks of the plant. The height of the plant is between four to six inches.

– Begonia Brevirimosa

With its glossy twelve-inch-long leaves, this can easily be characterized as the prettiest begonia. The long leaves are dark with a contrasting pink striped pattern.

They cascade downwards and form a tight shrub and as an adult plant, the foliage develops a metallic texture. The average size of the plant is two to three feet.

– Begonia Plebeja

This is a pretty variety that comes with broad leaves shaped like a lily pad. The leaves bear an emerald color with distinctive and prominent brown markings that are present on each side of the central veins.

It is these brown markings that make the leaf details of green veins stand out giving the whole plant an almost ornamental look. The plant can grow to a length of at least 14 inches in height.

– Begonia Soli-mutata

 This variety is also referred to as the sun-changing plant as the foliage becomes darker as the exposure to light increases. The leaves have pebbly textures and are rounded in shape. You will also find tones of pink and red along the margins and undersides. The average height of the plant is around twelve inches.

– Begonia Dregei

The Dregei has deep green leaves with lobes on either side and pointy tips that make it eye-catching. It is also called the maple-leaves begonia due to its strong resemblance to the maple plant.

The leaf surface is spotted white and the surface is glossy. You will also find occasional pink or white blooms that occur in summer. The average height of the plant is thirty inches.

– Begonia Microsperma

What makes this variety attractive is its shiny foliage that is packed with tiny bristle-like hairs all over the surface.

The leaves are thick and deep green with a perfectly round shape. Furthermore, the plant is also called the small seed begonia. Buttercup-shaped yellow bloom in summer

– Begonia Kingiana

 This variety is not unique in its look but also bears a special name. The plant has been christened after Sir George King, a botanist of the 19th century. The foliage grows in dense clusters and the small spade-shaped leaves have an emerald color with detailed venations in light green and yellow.

The pattern resembles a tortoiseshell and hence also bears the name tortoiseshell begonia. The stems are red and the point where the petiole connects to the stem has a prominent white dot.

– Begonia Mazae Nigricans

With near-round leaves and prominent variegation of light and dark green, this variety is a true beauty. The angel wing begonia foliage of this variety is similar to the Black Mamba.

What makes this variety unique is that the foliage changes to a black shade on maturity. It touches an average height of twelve inches.

– Begonia Crassicaulis

 This is one of the rarest and odd begonia varieties you are ever going to find. The plant grows from a central bark-like stem and bears leaves in clumps. The leaves are dark green with deep lobes and resemble a palm leaf. The foliage drops or defoliates in winters and spring producing pink blooms and growing to about six to eight inches in height.

– Begonia Salaziensis

This begonia species originates from the islands of Mauritius and the dry forests and comes with dramatic matte surfaced leaves. They are dark green in an elliptical shape that resembles angel wings. The variety also produces bell-shaped pin flowers that grow in clusters together. The average height of the plant is around two meters.

– Begonia X Voodoo

 This is a rare rex begonia variety crossbreed and comes with thick leaves, along with an interesting spade shape. The tips are pointed, and the leaves’ surface bears silvery veins with prominent dark green streaks. This pattern has a hint of a pinkish tinge and with the streaks present, they resolve the palm lines of the hand.

– Begonia Maculata

This begonia variety comes with an ornamental pattern on its surface, consisting of silver-white spots on dark green foliage.

It is the most expensive begonia and the leaves are large measuring eight inches in length and the undersides bear a reddish tinge.

The polka dot begonia can grow to a height of up to one to two inches.

– Begonia Amphioxus

An exotic begonia sp variety, it bears lance-shaped leaves with prominent maroon spots on the surface. This makes it look like a butterfly, hence giving the variety another name which is begonia butterfly or spotted begonia. The flowers are unusual being green and merging with the foliage.

– Begonia Masoniana

This variety is also known as the Iron Cross due to its interesting cross-like pattern present on the leaves.

The uniqueness of this variety comes from this pattern that is present all over the leathery surface of the leaf in a prominent red color.

– Begonia Fuchsioides

 This variety produces pendulous pink and purple flowers, with bushy dark green foliage. The leaves hang in clusters and have an elliptical shape.

– Begonia Goegoensis

 What makes this variety unique and rare is its large leaves with bronze and a red underside. With deep veins, the leaves with their colorful hues are a delight. The plant produces small pink flowers in summer and autumn. 

– Begonia Chloroneuralarge

Chloroneuralarge is extremely rare. The leaves have green fluorescent veins on a dark upper surface and a red-tinged underside. The plant produces white and pink flowers that occur in clusters. 

For all the above begonias, you must choose the right type of soil and the best possible position to meet their light requirements.