How to Care for Begonias

It’s truly a delightful feeling when the plant you’ve nurtured blooms with vibrant flowers and lush, beautiful leaves. Begonias are known for both of these appealing traits. Best of all, they are relatively easy to care for, whether planted indoors or outdoors. In short, begonias are an excellent choice for any garden. Follow the steps below to properly care for this wonderful plant.

Choose an indoor variety of begonia. There’s a long list of begonias that adapt well to indoor environments. It’s important to remember that some begonias are grown for their brightly colored flowers, while others are cherished for their unique and attractive foliage. Most begonias sold at nurseries will be labeled as either indoor or outdoor plants.

• There are two main types of begonias commonly grown based on their growth habits. Some hybrids of these two types also exist.
• Cane Begonias are upright plants resembling bamboo. The Angel Wing Begonia is a popular example.
• Fibrous root begonias have branches that attach directly to the central core, similar to radish leaves. This category includes varieties like the Rex Begonia.
• If you're uncertain whether your plant will thrive indoors, ask a nursery professional for guidance.

Plant your Begonias in pots with suitable soil for indoor conditions. When placing your plant in a pot, you must pay attention to three factors: soil type, pot size, and the amount of soil used.

• The soil should be relatively neutral or slightly acidic on the pH scale.
• The pot should be slightly larger than the plant—allowing room for the roots to grow without selecting one that is too large.
• A pot that is too large may result in using too much soil. Excess soil can become soggy and cause your plant to "drown" from overwatering.
• Some people plant begonias in pots with a layer of pebbles or small rocks at the top. You do not need to bury the plant’s stem under this layer—just plant it above the rocks.

Place your Begonia in a sunny spot inside. Begonias thrive in bright light, so position them near east- or west-facing windows to ensure they receive several hours of sunlight each day. Avoid south-facing windows from February to September, as they let in too much sunlight unless you use sheer curtains to filter it.

• Be sure to filter the sunlight coming through east or west-facing windows if these windows face brick walls or water.
• If using fluorescent lights, place them 15–30 cm above the plant. Keep the light on for about 12 hours each day, though some growers may extend it to 14 hours. Be sure to water your plant more often when using artificial light.

Keep your Begonia warm indoors. The minimum nighttime temperature should be maintained at 13ºC. Begonias are not tolerant of cold temperatures and will die if exposed to temperatures below that threshold.

Water your Begonias carefully. Water the plant when the surface of the soil feels moist, but not wet. Water more frequently in warm weather, when there's plenty of light, and when the plant is blooming and producing new branches. Water until excess water drains from the pot’s drainage holes.

• Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings when light and temperatures are lower in late fall and winter.
• If possible, use room temperature distilled water. Remove excess water from the tray or saucer promptly.
• For Begonias with patterned leaves (Rex begonias), mist the leaves twice a week or provide high humidity to prevent leaf drop. Use warm water to mist the leaves.

Fertilize your Begonias. Fertilize with a water-soluble fertilizer once a month from February to September when the plant is flowering. Fertilize less frequently during late fall and winter, as the plant's growth slows down during these months.

• Follow the instructions on the fertilizer label for mixing the solution.
• Wait three months before fertilizing if the potting mix already contains fertilizer.

Prune your plant regularly. Remove wilted flowers and dead leaves, and trim broken branches to encourage new growth. Dust the leaves if necessary.

• Remove the small flowers from Rex begonias to help the plant focus on growing lush foliage. Use a spray bottle on the leaves. It's also important to improve airflow around the plant to prevent damage.

Maggie Moran
Gardener

Expert tip: If you spot mildew on the leaves, mix 1 tablespoon (15ml) of baking soda with 1 liter of water and spray it on the leaves. This solution will prevent mildew from spreading! Afterward, place the plant in a bright, airy location like a windowsill.

Choose the right planting location. For outdoor planting, place the plant in a partially shaded spot, away from frost. Use tuberous begonias for pots or hanging baskets. Fibrous begonias work well in flower beds.

• Position begonias where they get morning or late afternoon sunlight for the best blooms. You can also place them where they receive dappled sunlight throughout the day.
• Avoid planting begonias in pots placed on hot surfaces like plastic or concrete.
• For tuberous begonias, plant them indoors about 3 months before the last spring frost to ensure they bloom vibrantly. Check planting tips for further guidance.

Plant begonias in nutrient-rich soil. Begonias thrive in fertile soil rich in nutrients. You can create such soil by adding peat moss and well-decomposed compost to the ground. Ensure the plant’s roots have good drainage to avoid root rot.

• Avoid planting begonias in areas with strong winds, as their stems are delicate and can easily break in heavy gusts.
• Once you’ve found the ideal spot and prepared the soil, dig holes just large enough for the root ball, spacing them 30 to 45 cm apart.

Water your outdoor begonias carefully. Water the plant in such a way that the soil is moist but not soggy. This means allowing the top layer of soil to dry out before watering again. Overly wet soil can lead to root rot or plant death.

• Water potted begonias until water drains from the bottom holes. Remove any excess water from the tray or saucer immediately after watering.
• Check hanging baskets often as they can dry out quickly in one day. If the surface soil feels dry to the touch, it's time to water.

Fertilize your begonias. Begonias prefer a balanced fertilizer, which is more neutral than acidic or alkaline. Sprinkle slow-release granular fertilizer where you plan to plant the begonias.

• Always follow the application instructions on the label.
• Fertilize every three months by sprinkling it around the plant’s roots.
• If you’re not using granular fertilizer, use a water-soluble fertilizer once a week for flowering plants.

Regularly remove wilted flowers and dead leaves. This will help the healthy parts of the plant continue to grow strong.

Prune your begonias. For begonias planted in beds or with fibrous roots, prune them back to 7 cm every four months in temperate climates where no frost occurs, to rejuvenate the plant.

• Move outdoor begonias into the house during the winter. Dig them up before the first frost, place them in pots, and cut them back to about 7 cm to encourage new growth. Refer to indoor care instructions for further guidance.

Now you have a beautiful begonia plant to admire!

• Bring tuberous begonias indoors after the light frost, but before the cold sets in. Cut back the foliage and let the pot dry out. You can lift the root ball and store it in peat moss or a pot. Keep it in a dark, cool place, safe from rodents.
• In early spring, bring the tuberous begonias out for planting, or repot those stored indoors. Place them in a bright spot and water regularly. You can plant them outdoors once the frost risk has passed.
• Tuberous begonias need a dormant period in winter and don’t do well as indoor plants. Varieties like Lorraine, Reiger, or Elatior also require dormancy.
• The lifespan of a begonia is not long. Most only live for 2 to 3 years with proper care, while tubers can last 4 to 5 years under good conditions.
• Wax begonias (begonias grown in beds) will bloom year-round when kept warm. Cane-type begonias (Angel Wing) and Rex begonias (foliage begonias) also thrive indoors. Cane-type begonias will go dormant in extremely cold temperatures.

• Many types of begonias have fleshy stems that are brittle and prone to breaking. Keep them away from wind or areas where they may be damaged.
• Overwatering is the leading cause of indoor begonia death. Ensure the pot is not too wet.

• Spray bottle for Rex begonias
• Potting soil
• Blooming fertilizer