Best Begonia Varieties for Growing Indoors

Choosing the right begonia for indoor growing depends primarily on what you want from the plant: striking foliage with minimal flowering, or prolific blooms with straightforward care. The growth type also determines the space required and the pruning routine the plant will need. The varieties below are organized by type and selected for their combination of visual interest, manageable size, and accessibility for indoor growers.

Best Cane-Type: Begonia Maculata

Begonia maculata is the most visually distinctive cane-type begonia widely available and has become genuinely popular as an indoor plant in the last several years. It produces tall, cane-like stems with large, asymmetric leaves in deep olive green with white polka dots on the upper surface and vivid red on the underside. In good conditions it produces clusters of pale pink flowers at the stem tips. It grows quickly, responds well to pruning, and is more tolerant of indoor conditions than its dramatic appearance might suggest. Full care is in the begonia maculata care guide.

Best Cane-Type for Flowers: Angel Wing Begonias

Angel wing begonias are a group of cane-type hybrids selected for heavy flowering rather than foliage pattern. They produce clusters of flowers in red, pink, orange, or white over a very long season, often flowering for most of the year indoors given adequate light. The foliage is typically silver-spotted on green, similar to begonia maculata but less dramatically marked. They are fast-growing and benefit from regular pinching to stay compact. Full care is in the angel wing begonia care guide.

Best Rhizomatous: Rex Begonias

Rex begonias (Begonia rex-cultorum) are grown for their foliage, which is among the most elaborate of any houseplant group. Patterns include spiraling leaf bases, metallic silver or bronze surfaces, and combinations of deep burgundy, bright pink, silver-grey, and green in a single leaf. They stay compact, rarely exceeding 30 to 45 centimeters in spread, and suit windowsill or shelf positions where the foliage can be viewed closely. They require more consistent humidity than cane-types and are more susceptible to root rot if overwatered. Full care is in the rex begonia care guide.

Best for Low Light: Fibrous or Wax Begonias

Fibrous begonias (Begonia semperflorens), commonly called wax begonias, are the most tolerant of the group for lower light positions. They produce small, rounded, waxy leaves and a continuous supply of small flowers in red, pink, or white. They are more commonly grown outdoors but adapt well to indoor conditions, particularly in bright windowsills that do not receive strong direct sun. They are compact, easy to find, and inexpensive, making them a practical choice for a position where other houseplants have struggled.

What to Avoid for Small Spaces

Large cane-type begonias such as some angel wing varieties can reach 90 centimeters to well over a meter in height if not regularly pruned. Without pruning they become leggy and top-heavy. If space is limited, choose a compact rex begonia or a smaller cane-type cultivar, or commit to a pruning routine that keeps the cane-types at a manageable height. The pruning technique and timing are covered in the begonia care guide.

For propagation of any of these varieties, the how to propagate begonias guide covers both stem and leaf cutting methods that apply across all indoor types.