Bright green with maroon striping suggesting the cross pattern it is named after. The texture is velvet/fuzzy with a pebbled appearance. Cut and process begonia in a hydration solution (not a flower food). Unlike flower foods, hydration solutions contain no nutrients (sugar). With some foliages, sugar can stimulate leaf yellowing. Keep begonia leaves in 2 inches of solution, preferably in a cooler above 45 degrees until ready to use. Begonia prefers some humidity.