Begonia solimutata 'Soli Mutata' - Bégonia Soli Mutata, Bégonia Soli-Mutata

The Begonia rex ‘Soli Mutata’ is a sought-after indoor begonia prized for its almost round, quilted foliage that changes with the light. It reveals dark green areas tinged with brown, crossed by very decorative lime green veins. Not very large, it is suitable for bright interiors and humid terrariums. Small white flowers appear in late winter or spring. A true collector's plant!

Begonia solimutata belongs to the Begoniaceae family. It is a rhizomatous species native to the humid forests of northern Brazil, particularly the state of Pará, where it grows in the shade of trees, in a warm and very humid understorey. It is often offered under the commercial name Begonia rex ‘Soli Mutata’, sometimes as Begonia glaziovii or Begonia ‘Burle Marx’, considered synonyms in horticultural literature.
In cultivation, the plant forms a spreading clump 25 to 30 cm tall and 30 to 40 cm wide, with rather rapid growth once established. The leaves, borne on short petioles, are rounded or kidney-shaped, thick, and domed with small swellings, as if slightly blistered and puckered. Each measures 10 to 15 cm in diameter. The upper surface is green to dark brown, glossy and irregularly bumpy, traversed by broad, almost fluorescent light green veins, while the underside takes on red to burgundy tones. In late winter and spring, slender upright stems bear panicles of small white flowers, light and decorative without being spectacular.

To successfully grow this begonia indoors, place it in bright to moderate light, without scorching direct sun. It appreciates a stable temperature between 16 and 24°C and high humidity, around 50 to 70%. Avoid wetting the foliage to limit fungal diseases. This begonia is sensitive to cold and cannot tolerate temperatures below 13°C for long; indoors, it thrives in a bright living room, office, temperate conservatory, or a bathroom with a window. Like many begonias, it is potentially irritating or toxic if ingested: keep it out of reach of young children and pets.

Indoors, the Begonia rex ‘Soli Mutata’ enlivens slightly shaded corners. Place it in a ceramic cache-pot or on a plant stand or side table to better display its domed leaves; in a large jar or a closed terrarium, its preference for humidity will be perfectly satisfied. Pair it with other decorative foliage begonias, for example the Begonia rex ‘Escargot’ or the Begonia rex ‘Red Kiss’. It also pairs well with tropical understorey plants like Calathea ornata or Fittonia 'Skeleton'. By varying leaf shapes and heights, you can create a colourful and exotic scene around this changeable begonia.