Begonia 101: How to Care for Begonias | Bloomscape (2024)

FAQs

How do you take care of a begonia? ›

These plants like to stay damp, and not dry out completely, but they hate having their roots sitting in water. Use well draining soil, with some compost material, to help retain moisture. Always water at the base of the plant, as they are susceptible to leaf rot and spots if the leaves get damp.

All Begonias need bright, indirect light. This means the indoor varieties prefer a spot near a large window with a sheer curtain to protect them from any direct sunlight. Direct sun can burn their leaves.

Cut back the growing tips on begonias branches every 2 to 4 weeks or if your plants become leggy. The plant will produce new branches from the pinched point. Additional stems provide more opportunities for the begonia to create flowers. Tuberous begonias die back every year.

A good rule of thumb is to water every two to four days. When it's hot and dry you'll need to water more often than when the air cools down and the soil holds more moisture. Begonia plants in full sun will also require more water than plants in shady locations.

Begonias grow well in dappled or partial shade – avoid south-facing spots as the foliage can burn in direct sunlight. If you're growing begonias in a greenhouse, shading may be required. Tuberous begonias are ideal for growing in pots and hanging baskets.

No begonia has a long life span. Most only live for 2 to 3 years, even with good care.

For best results keep Begonia 'Non Stop' plants well watered, and feed fortnightly with a high-potash fertiliser to prolong flowering. Lift tubers in autumn, before the first frosts, and store in barely moist soil or sand in a frost-free shed. Water the tubers occasionally to stop them drying up.

You should regularly check your begonia for leaves and stems which are discoloured. Remove dead or diseased parts with shears or scissors. Cut off the discoloured stem or leaf just below the start of the brown area, but try to leave as much of the healthy (green) area of the plant intact as possible.

If growing tuberous begonias for show the female flowers can be removed but there is no need to do this for garden displays. The stem and foliage can be brittle so support with canes as the plant grows.

They may be receiving too much or too little sunshine. Move them to another location and see if they begin producing new buds in a couple of weeks. If you haven't been regularly fertilizing your begonias, it's time to start. If they have become leggy, prune them back.

What is the best fertilizer for begonias? ›

The best fertilizer for begonias is a balanced 20-20-20 blend formulated for slow release. Slow-release fertilizers decrease the chance of your plants suffering from fertilizer burn.

“Begonias are heavy feeders, and for best bloom production should be fed every two weeks,” Roberts said. He recommends a high nitrogen plant food with a 10-10-5 formula early in the season.

If the top couple of inches of soil are dry, it's time to water your begonia. Always check the soil moisture level before watering if your begonia is wilting. Lack of moisture may not be the reason the begonia leaves are wilting. If the soil is bone dry, water a little at a time.

Begonias don't need daily water. Your begonias will grow best in soil that is neither dried nor saturated. Water your begonias every 2–4 days as the general rule.

So to avoid any issues, it's a good idea to water begonias from the bottom. To do that, simply fill the plant tray or cache pot, and allow the soil to soak it up through the drainage holes. Don't let the soak for too long though, only to the point where the soil is moist again.

They do best in situations with shade or morning sun/afternoon shade. Most varieties have flowers that hang down a little, making tuberous begonias ideal for hanging baskets and window boxes rather than garden beds and borders. No matter where you grow them, make sure they have good drainage to prevent rot.

Begonias need small and preferably ceramic pots that are only 3-4 cm in diameter larger than the plant's root system. The container you plan on planting your begonia into makes all the difference. Make sure, make sure, make sure, it has drainage holes in the bottom.

Once begonias begin flowering, they bloom continuously from summer to frost. There are several different types of begonias. Wax begonias and angel-wing begonias are usually grown as outdoor annuals or indoor houseplants. Both grow from a clump of roots and are winter hardy in growing zones 9-11.

They thrive in warm temperatures (ideally 60-80F indoors or outdoors) and with regular, consistent moisture. However, the roots will rot quickly when soils remain wet for long periods. They prefer bright light but are not suited for intense, direct sunlight.

Miracle-Gro is a great fertilizer to use on begonias. The brand also has several different formulas that you can use for these plants. It can be applied to both young and older plants.

Do begonias do well indoors? ›

Begonias are some of the most beautiful, visually interesting plants you can grow indoors. However, they can be a bit picky about light and water, though not overly delicate, making them a great intermediate-level plant project.

Most begonias are annuals (last only one season). You can save tubers from tuberous begonias to replant the next year or bring annual begonias in as houseplants in winter. Some rhizomatous and hardy begonias (B. grandis) are perennial, or come back year after year, in warmer regions.

Yes, you can overwinter begonias in pots. Fibrous types can be kept as a houseplant, while tuberous varieties should be stored dormant in a cool, dark location. What is this? Overwintering begonias is easy, and it's a great way to save your favorite varieties every year.

Begonias are prone to powdery mildew that can occur if their leaves are kept wet. It is okay to mist the area around your plant to increase humidity, but do not mist directly on the leaves and avoid getting the leaves wet while watering.

Begonias need to be watered consistently. But between waterings, it's best to let the top inch or two of soil get dry to the touch. Check your begonias often during hot, dry weather. If the plants start dropping flowers or wilting, it means the soil is either too wet or too dry.

Check the leaves and stems for signs of fungal infection. Begonias are susceptible to a few fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew and gray mold. Look for light-colored feathery growth around the base of the stem, under leaves or on the blooms.

Watering. The most common cause of brown leaf edges is that your Begonia is incredibly dry. Your Begonia likes consistent moisture. Do not allow more than the top half of the soil to dry between watering.

Some diseases that could affect your begonias are bacterial leaf spot, powdery mildew, botrytis, Pythium root rot, and rhizoctonia crown rot. Some signs that your plant may have bacterial leaf spot are water-soaked areas on leaves surrounded by yellow rings. Some stem rot may also be present.

If your plant has beautifully patterned leaves, it is most likely a rex begonia. An obliquely shaped leaf that looks like a wing indicates an angel wing or dragon wing begonia. Green or bronze oval leaves let you know you have a wax begonia. Finally, look at the flowers.

How do you tell if a begonia is male or female? ›

Begonias are monoecious dicots, producing both male and female flowers on the same plant. The female flowers are noticeable for the three winged ovary at the base of the petals whereas the male flowers usually have only two petals.

Begonias are monoecious, meaning that they have separate male and female flowers on the same plant. Male flowers are referred to as staminate, while female ones are called pistillate. All of the flowers shown in the two images below are pistillate, as revealed by their three bi-lobed stigmas.

They bloom best with short days and cool temperatures, and will often bloom for up to six months.

Keep the soil moist and remove faded flowers. At the end of the season, lift the tubers, cut the stems off just above the tubers and store in dry soil at 4 – 10°C. Then start the process again in March the following year and look forward to another summer of vibrant colour!

Culture: Flowering houseplant begonias should be located in a bright spot and receive some direct sunlight. Early morning sun in an east window works well. Many of the cane and shrub-types flower best with some direct sun. Several hours of winter sun are beneficial.

Begonias benefit from an acidic soil, which the peat moss gives it. Adding some used coffee grounds to the soil will work wonders for begonias.

Most like bright, dappled light to grow their best. Soil Conditions: Begonias grow best in light, fertile, well-drained soil. Begonias are very susceptible to root and stem rot when exposed to cold, wet soils, so proper drainage is essential.

Pinch the stems back to the first or second healthy bud from the tip. You can repeat this process two or three times at about four week intervals to encourage maximum bushiness. Pinching forces the begonia to branch at the pinch point, resulting in more stems, leaves and flowers.

Many begonias will do just fine in full sun. The bedding plant fibrous begonias, Dragon Wing Begonias and Bonfire Begonias handle full sun best.

Do begonias come back every year? ›

This results in at least four months of blooms a year and if looked after properly, they will come back year after year so one purchase will give years of enjoyment in your garden. Begonias are extremely versatile and can be used in different ways.

At the end of the day, begonias are an easy plant to care for indoors. Once you master their needs for water and sunlight, and keep them healthy with pruning and fertilizer, they'll reward you with magnificent displays of leaves and flowers!

Begonias prefer growing in light, rich soil with a good concentration of humus, similar to the makeup of potting soil. So it's no surprise the plants tend to thrive in containers. Begonias planted in a pot should be spaced 4-6″ apart and with the tubers buried hollow-side up.

Begonias need small and preferably ceramic pots that are only 3-4 cm in diameter larger than the plant's root system. The container you plan on planting your begonia into makes all the difference. Make sure, make sure, make sure, it has drainage holes in the bottom.

You can leave begonias in the garden over winter if the type you have is hardy in your zone, or it never gets below 50°F outside. Otherwise they must be brought indoors.

If your plant has beautifully patterned leaves, it is most likely a rex begonia. An obliquely shaped leaf that looks like a wing indicates an angel wing or dragon wing begonia. Green or bronze oval leaves let you know you have a wax begonia. Finally, look at the flowers.

Most begonias grow best outdoors in partial shade or dappled sunlight. They can survive in full shade, but might not bloom very well if they don't get enough sunlight.

Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 6 through 11, depending on the cultivar, begonias (Begonia spp.) do not require deadheading to thrive. Rather they self-clean by dropping spent flowers on their own, says the University of Illinois Extension.

Culture: Flowering houseplant begonias should be located in a bright spot and receive some direct sunlight. Early morning sun in an east window works well. Many of the cane and shrub-types flower best with some direct sun. Several hours of winter sun are beneficial.