Care Of Begonias Growing Tips And Annual Begonia Care

The most compact and healthy wax begonias result from deadheading and pinching back regularly. Annual begonia plants may be cut back before frost and used inside as a houseplant in winter. Once inside, keep the soil moist, provide humidity with a pebble tray and place in bright filtered light.

How do you care for potted begonias?

Begonia Care Tips

1) Plant begonia in pot that allows about 2 inches of space all the way around the roots. ...
2) Begonias like to sit in locations that have daily full to partial morning sunlight.
3) Put the plant on a regular watering schedule. ...
4) Feed the plant a balanced houseplant fertilizer once a month.

Will begonias come back year after year?

Like Impatiens, Begonias are actually tender perennials (come back year after year) that are usually treated as annuals (gone forever at first frost). ... In deep shade situations, Begonias will stretch and become leggy, so do give them a spot with at least a few hours of sunlight for the best results.

Do begonias like sun or shade?

Begonias need some sunlight, but they don't do well if that sunlight is harsh and direct. Instead, place them in filtered light, such as beneath high, thin tree canopies. However, as noted below some begonia varieties might tolerate more sun than others.

How do you keep begonias blooming?

The best way to encourage begonias to produce more flowers is to care for them regularly. ProFlowers has some suggestions for indoor care; to begin with, keep your begonia in a spot with full to partial morning sunlight, with a temperature of about 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

How long do potted begonias last?

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

Is Miracle Grow good for begonias?

Once a week apply half strength (1/2 T Miracle Grow or other soluble plant food per gallon) fertilizer solution in place of regular watering, being sure to give the basket enough so that liquid seeps from the bottom of the pot. Tuberous begonias are not heavy feeders, so don't overdo it.

Can you leave begonias in pots over winter?

Overwintering Tuberous Begonias

Tuberous begonias should be dug up and stored indoors during winter until the return of warmer weather in spring. ... Pot-grown begonia plants can be stored in their containers as long as they remain dry. They should also be relocated to a protected area that's cool, dark and dry.

Should I deadhead begonias?

do not require deadheading to thrive. ... However, if you want to clean up your begonias a bit faster than nature does, or if you want to encourage the plant to produce more stems, you should get into the habit of deadheading. Examine a begonia every one to three days to look for faded flowers.

Can I save my begonias for next year?

The tubers can be saved over the winter and planted again the next spring for another year of showy color. Take the following steps to save your potted tuberous begonia tubers: ... Place in a dry, cool storage area (a basement or garage) and allow the tubers to cure for several weeks.

How often should you water begonias?

Feel the soil around your wax begonia. If it feels dry, insert your finger just under the surface of the soil, about one-half to 1 inch deep. If this soil also feels dry, water your plant. Water once or twice a week to keep the soil slightly moist.

Do begonias do well in pots?

Begonias are tropical perennials that thrive in warmth and, typically, partial light. ... Tuberous begonias are suitable options for begonia container gardens as they work well with the light texture of potting mix, and they work as bedding plants, too. These types of begonias are either upright or trailing.

Are begonias OK in shade?

Most begonias grow best in part shade (4 to 6 hours of direct morning sun a day), or filtered sun (as through trees). Most will tolerate full shade (no direct or filtered sun), but won't be as dense and usually have fewer flowers. A few grow in full sun. They prefer moist, but not soggy, soils.

Do begonias like coffee grounds?

(soil free is best) Outdoors, growing begonias means adding lots of organic matter to the soil. 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.

What is the best fertilizer for begonias?

For healthy plants and abundant blooms, apply 10-10-10 liquid fertilizer (view example on Amazon) diluted at a ratio of three parts water to one part fertilizer when you first plant (or transplant) your begonias and approximately every three weeks thereafter.

What month do begonias flower?

These fibrous-rooted, tender perennial begonias are usually grown as annuals. Their flowers can be white, pink or red and are produced throughout the summer until the first frosts.

Are begonias hard to care for?

Generally, fibrous and rhizomatous begonias make excellent houseplants while tuberous begonias can be grown as houseplants but have a harder time surviving due to the need for higher humidity and light than the other two kinds. ... Begonias grown indoors are especially susceptible to root rot and overwatering.

Can you take cuttings from begonias?

Some types of begonias can be propagated using different techniques like leaf cuttings, division and root cuttings. All begonias, however, can be propagated by rooting stem cuttings, sometimes called tip cuttings. ... Many begonias root easily, and you can use the simpler technique of rooting them in water.

Do begonias like tomato feed?

Once the fear of frost has passed put your begonias outside and feed them every week with a high potash liquid tomato food. Stop feeding and ease off the watering in early September. When watering, always avoid the foliage.

Do begonias bloom?

Bloom Time:

Varies, with the most common types, wax and tuberous begonias, blooming from early summer until frost. Bloom times may also vary if grown indoors and some types bloom all year.

How do you care for strawberry begonias?

Strawberry Begonia Care

Care of the strawberry begonia houseplant includes watering sparingly and fertilizing monthly during the growing season. Let the soil dry out between waterings to an inch (2.5 cm.) deep and feed with a balanced houseplant food.