Begonia Escargot in Berg Pot & Saucer

A bold spiral resembling a snail shell patterns each leaf of this easy-care Rex Begonia 'Escargot.' Rendered in rich bands of pewter, chocolate, and green, it creates an effect that will draw your eye from across the room. Pale pink flowers are an added pleasure. Makes a stunning houseplant. Grow in bright, indirect light with ample humidity and evenly warm room temperatures. Winner of the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Shipped in a handcrafted, clay, 7½" Bergs Gray Kobenhavner Pot & Saucer.

Our houseplants appear generously sized in our photos. They are representative of the sizes we ship to you. For information on growing and care, click Growing Guide.

We want our customers to receive strong, healthy plants that are ready to thrive in their gardens and homes. Here's what we'd like you to know about our shipping practices.

Delivery Timing

We aim to deliver your plants at as close to the proper time for planting in your area as possible. To do so, we consider the USDA Hardiness Zone to which we're shipping, current and forecasted weather at the destination and along the shipping route, and whether your plants are ready for transplant.

In spring, we ship first to the warmest regions and move north as planting conditions improve. For fall deliveries, we begin with the coolest regions and work south. We frequently adjust shipping schedules when extreme weather could put plants at risk while in transit or soon after arrival.

Because different plants reach readiness at different rates and are weather-sensitive in varying degree, a single order may be delivered via multiple shipments. Plants sold as part of a collection, or that are otherwise meant to arrive together, will be shipped together. Please contact our customer service team with two weeks' advance notice if you anticipate being away at the expected time of delivery.

Tracking information for each package is delivered via email.

Plant & Container Sizes

We deliver plants in various sizes and stages of growth, and the product detail pages of our website indicate the form and/or pot size in which the plant will be delivered. Pot sizes range from 1 pint to 1 gallon and larger. Many perennials, roses, shrubs and vines are delivered bareroot - that is, not in a container at all. Bulbs and tubers are generally delivered bareroot and fully dormant. We choose container sizes and delivery methods based on how each plant grows best, how we can minimize transplant shock, and how to minimize unnecessary bulk/weight in shipment.

Caring for Your Plants Upon Arrival

It is important to acclimate greenhouse-grown plants to life outdoors. All plant shipments include simple instructions for handling your plants upon arrival. Further how-to information, including planting instructions, is available on each plant's product page.

Latin Name Pronunciation: beg-own'ee-uh  

Aptly named, these "kings" of the Begonia tribe display gorgeous foliage in wildly variable patterns, colors (including metallic silver), and even shapes (such as the spiral variety called 'Escargot'). Rex Begonias grow from a modified stem structure called a rhizome and are rather exacting in their requirements, but will reward your efforts with a stunning display. Popular as houseplants, Rex Begonias are ideal on a shaded deck or patio, and can light up a shady nook with their striking colors. Flowers are generally insignificant as the brilliant foliage is the main attraction.

Light/Watering: Proper light levels will help bring out the best colors of Rex Begonias. Plants should never see direct sunlight and do well only in bright but filtered light. If light comes mainly from one direction, give each plant a quarter turn every week. The surface of the soil should be allowed to become almost dry between watering during active growth and you must be sure to avoid overwatering. Water with tepid water, not cold water, as it may shock the plants. As days shorten and temperatures drop, plants may enter dormancy—growth stops and leaves may drop. At this time, water only sparingly until new leaves emerge in late winter. Rex Begonias thrive only with high humidity. Dry air will cause the leaf edges to become crisp and dry and plants will languish. Run a humidifier, or simply place potted plants on trays filled with gravel and add water just below top of gravel—do NOT let pots sit in water at any time.

Temperature: Hardy only in zones 10 to 12, Rex Begonias are treated as annuals or as houseplants in colder areas. Moderate daytime temperatures of 65–70°F and nights around 60°F are best. Sudden temperature changes may cause leaves to drop.

Fertilizer/Soil and pH: Fertilize every two weeks beginning in spring when new growth appears with a balanced fertilizer with a 15-30-15 ratio, such as our All Bloom Fertilizer. Taper off feeding in late summer or early fall, and stop in winter, resuming again in spring. A light, free-draining soil high in organic matter is preferred.

Pests/Diseases: Occasionally mealy bugs may appear as cottony white bumps tucked into leaf joints or along the rhizome. Use cotton swabs dipped in rubbing alcohol to wipe off bugs, or spray with insecticidal soap. Two fungal diseases, powdery mildew and botrytis, may occur; good air circulation is essential. Remove dead or diseased leaves promptly as well as any debris on the surface of the planting mix. Good grooming goes far as a preventative, but a systemic fungicide like Funginex may be used if needed.

Companions: Lovely grouped inside or out with other plants that prefer indirect light.

Repotting: Move into larger but shallow pots as required, ideally in spring as new growth begins. Take this opportunity to pinch back tips. If the rhizome has grown over the pot edge, cut it back also, which will force new growth along the rhizome.

Calendar of Care - Rex Begonia

Early Spring: As new growth begins, resume feeding with a balanced houseplant fertilizer with a ratio of 15-20-15, such as our All Bloom Fertilizer. Repot if needed, using a light, free-draining soil mix rich in organic matter. These plants are shallow rooted, so shallow pots are best. Pinch tips back and trim off the rhizome if it has grown over the pot edge. If plants have been moved to a higher light area for the winter, move them back to their summer spots before the sun becomes too bright.

Mid-Spring: After the danger of frost has passed, plants may be moved outdoors to a shady nook or sheltered patio. Be sure to acclimate them slowly to the new conditions to avoid leaf-drop.

Summer: Continue fertilizing and monitor light levels to avoid burning tender leaves. Continue to scout for insect pests and fungal problems.

Fall: Move plants back into house or greenhouse as temperatures fall below 60°F at night. Quarantine plants until you are certain they harbor no insect pests or fungal diseases. Stop fertilizing.

Early Winter: As the days shorten and temperatures drop, plants may enter dormancy. If this happens, water only sparingly until new growth appears in spring.

For information on planting and care of annuals, click {cms_link name="how-to-grow-annuals" text="here"}.

At White Flower Farm, we stand firmly behind every product we sell and are proud to offer a money-back guarantee on each and every item offered on our website and at our store in Connecticut. Some modest terms and conditions apply, click here for details.

Should you have any questions about how our guarantee applies to a particular product or circumstance, our customer service team will be happy to help – please contact us at (800) 411-6159 or custserv@whiteflowerfarm.com.