---
title: "Help! I recently got this Begonia Rex Black Mamba and it’s not…"
description: "Help! I recently got this Begonia Rex Black Mamba and it’s not thriving. Over the past week, the stems and leaves have become droopy and there are holes in all…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/odGLoy09182TtYt5Lp3A9j"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "Dax91"
published: "2026-07-25T15:03:28.578591Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/-RwoOJhG2WDinW6yi2P_VTDF3kXs3xVeWmE0SvSrgZ4/grnBZyIHS4u-uLNIY-Zpkw.webp?size=large"
---

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# Help! I recently got this Begonia Rex Black Mamba and it’s not…

_Posted by Dax91 on 2026-07-25_

Help! I recently got this Begonia Rex Black Mamba and it’s not thriving. Over the past week, the stems and leaves have become droopy and there are holes in all of the leaves.  
What does this beautiful plant need?

![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/-RwoOJhG2WDinW6yi2P_VTDF3kXs3xVeWmE0SvSrgZ4/grnBZyIHS4u-uLNIY-Zpkw.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/-RwoOJhG2WDinW6yi2P_VTDF3kXs3xVeWmE0SvSrgZ4/Fsutb599Qk62ibWHzme7Sw.webp?size=large)

## 6 comments

### SuccySuccy commented on 2026-07-25

Same thing with my Rex Jive. I’ve gradually experimented with changing lighting, humidity, distilled top watering, distilled bottom watering. Still can’t figure him out. He’s slowly on the mend but following bc I’d love see him thrive like when I bought him!!

### plantgeek commented on 2026-07-25

rex begonia are suuper dramatic. this is probably just because it moved from the store to your house.

### jlsKenzy commented on 2026-07-25

Begonias don't handle stress or environment changes. Find a bright/indirect spot, increase the humidity, but don't mist. I use either a pebble tray or humidifier. It may just need time to acclimate. To me it looks like the spots/holes are probably mechanical from handling or being bumped around on the shelves. My fedor is finally bouncing back, 3 new leaves, but as you can it also went through a rough adjustment time too.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/HwjMrPOHmLTkQ5A0solZePTdaHKQmkzzBieVnrs36j4/xI2cQaN0SvS08MHGX-QH8Q.webp?size=large)

### JR commented on 2026-07-25

I recently became a little obsessed w Rex begonias. From my experience, they easily get damaged from bumps and scrapes and that never goes away until that leaf is gone. And bumps and scraps show up even more on dark leaves. They also don’t do well right after repotting and lots of stems will droop. If they start to shrivel, I cut them off. Hopefully your roots are good and you’ll start getting new leaves.  
They like shallow pots and bottom watering. If you top water, water the soil, don’t get the leaves or stems wet. Let soil dry about 2 inches down before watering. Bright indirect light.

![Attachment 1 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/tqz4EBDAvg8yEMwduoUZK1E9eWZadl-WaWJ0AB72hxk/Laq6HIQCQbWWDqk2pBuTKQ.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/tqz4EBDAvg8yEMwduoUZK1E9eWZadl-WaWJ0AB72hxk/Jh3UX-rAQQGZXI84dQiNrw.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 3 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/tqz4EBDAvg8yEMwduoUZK1E9eWZadl-WaWJ0AB72hxk/-WAWIGykSpSBAiuLJ0xxNQ.webp?size=large)

### AcesHigh commented on 2026-07-26

I agree with bottom water only. I sit mine in a bowl of distilled or RO water and let it suck up as much as it can over 4 hours, sometimes even overnight. It’s shocking how much water they can suck up like that. I even have some of my begonias under crappy lighting and some under good quality. They seem to all do the same as long as I bottom water, they do great! Don’t get leaves wet! Don’t mist them, and even drippings from a plant above them can cause water damage. Hope this helps!

### Plant nana commented on 2026-07-26

I use bottom watering for mine !

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