Growing begonia is fun , and you’re able to delight them both in your garden or indoors . find out everything there is to know about them in this detailed begonia plant care guidebook .
In this clause , I ’m break to give you dozens of care and maintenance tips , show you how to fix rough-cut problems , answer your FAQ , and much more !
If you think that begonias are only good for growing in your garden , think again ! There ’s no dubiousness that they add gross ton of colouring to the garden , but many varieties can also be kept indoors as houseplant .
Angel wing begonia plant
That mean you may grow your favorite varieties for year to add up , either indoors or out . And it ’s easier than you might believe . Yaaaas !
Below I am going to show you precisely how to care for begonia . I will give you tons of information about them , include the different types , hardiness , acquire them indoors or outside , fix vulgar problem , and more !
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Information About Begonias
Before you’re able to become a begonia caution ninja , it ’s important to understand some basic things about them . First , there are net ton of different form that you could develop ( and collect ! ) .
Some can well be hold as houseplant , while others are a synch to winter . But one thing is for trusted , all of them add amazing color , both outside and inside the house .
Different Types Of Begonias
There are over a thousand different kinds of begonia , and they amount in a wide variety of form , sizes , and colors .
Some are adored for their gorgeous flowers , and others for their amazing foliage colors and design . At a gamy degree , there are four vulgar type of begonia plant :
The different kinds of begonias do n’t all require the exact same tutelage . So it ’s best to visualize out what eccentric you have so you bed if it requires any particular discussion .
Are Begonias Annuals Or Perennials?
Though they are commonly sell as one-year plant in cold clime , begonias are actually tropical perennials that can live for many long time .
Some are only hardy to zona 9 , while others can survive in colder clime down to zone 6 . It ’s good to search up the exact smorgasbord you have if you ’re unsure how hardy they are before planting begonias outside .
Begonia Flowers
With the proper fear , many types of flowering begonia will blossom year round . However , some of the rhizomatous variety do n’t blossom at all , but have amazing foliage .
Do n’t worry , what they lack in flower , these begonias more than make up for in unique and colorful parting .
In fact , many avid growers choose the non - blooming character because you ca n’t beat their stunning foliage .
How To Grow Begonias
As I ’ve already mentioned , begonias can raise either outdoors or indoors . So in this section , I ’ve fracture it down to give you specific detail about caring for them both outdoors and inside the theater .
Growing Begonias Outdoors
Begonias are rattling for tote up tons of color to a shade garden , or combined in mixed out-of-door terrace planters . Choose a fleck in your garden that has racy , well - draining ground .
If you have poor - timbre grime , you could amend it withworm castings , compost , or an organicall - use fertilizerbefore planting .
Most begonia grow substantially out of doors in partial shade or dappled sunlight . They can survive in full wraith , but might not flower very well if they do n’t get enough sun .
Growing Begonias Indoors
Once the weather let too cold outside , you may add your begonia indoors , and develop them as houseplants . Heck , many type will even grow big indoors all year round !
lay them in a spot where they get bright , indirect light , and keep the soil consistently moist . begonia do well in a home that is kept between 65 - 75 degrees F.
If you want , you may move them outside during the summer to give them a boost . Just be sure to waitress until all hazard of frost is gone before set up them out of doors in the saltation .
Begonia Care Instructions
Water
right tearing is one of the most difficult division of successful begonia plant maintenance . That ’s because they like to be continue equally moist , but wo n’t abide being overwatered . It can be a difficult balance .
Rather than water begonia on a set docket , you should always check to make certain they need it first .
Stick your finger’s breadth about an inch into the grease . If it feel wet , then let it dry out a bite more before watering again .
If you shin with gravel it right , then I recommend using asoil moisture gaugeto avail you out .
Indoors they do have a cracking risk of infection for fungal problems and rot if the leaves get tight . So to forfend any issues , it ’s a effective mind to irrigate begonia from the bottom .
To do that , simply fill the plant tray or cache pot , and provide the soil to soak it up through the drain hole .
Do n’t let the soakage for too long though , only to the pointedness where the grunge is damp again . underprice out any water that has n’t been steep after 20 minutes .
grow begonia inAfrican violet potsis a great room to make bottom watering tardily , and it will also assist keep overwatering .
Humidity
Like most tropical plants , begonia like a flock of humidity . This commonly is n’t a concern when they ’re produce outside , but can be a battle indoors .
Humidity is specially important during the winter months , since heating our homes make the melodic phrase even wry than normal . Anindoor humidness monitoris a in force tool to use to keep racetrack of how dry the air is .
There are several matter you could do to facilitate increase the humidness to a level that will make your begonias felicitous .
Try pass ahumidifiernear them , or place them on a pebble tray filled with water ( do n’t earmark them to ride in the body of water though ) .
You could even grow small begonia plants in adecorative cloche , or keep all of them in amini indoor greenhousefor the winter .
Sunlight
Some begonia need more sun than others , and there are new varieties on the market these daylight that can even handle full sun .
But most will suffer if they get too much sunshine , and it can burn their supply ship leaves . In general , they opt a partial shade locating where they are protected from the vivid afternoon rays .
Indoors , you should develop begonias in a fleck where they get bright , indirect light . An east or Dame Rebecca West facing windowpane would be the stark spot .
If the leaf start to change by reversal white or fade , or look like they ’re burning , then that have in mind it ’s getting too much sunshine . In that case , move it to a shadowed location .
On the impudent side , if the stems start to arise leggy and give for the window , then they ’re not getting enough light source . Move it closer to the windowpane , or sum agrow light .
Potting Soil
Begonias are n’t passing fussy about the type of soil they ’re imbed in . But ideally , they favor one that is fast draining , and also holds moisture .
You could for sure usegeneral purpose pot grunge , and that will usually work just fine for them . AnAfrican violet potting mixalso works well for grow begonias .
To help oneself the grease retain moisture , or if you be given to under H2O , addpeat mossand / orvermiculiteto the mix before constitute .
outside , you’re able to amend your garden soil withcompost , worm casting , or peat moss .
Fertilizer
Begonias will gain from regular eating during their active growing time of year ( spring and summer ) . Start by ease up them a weak STD of half or fourth strength swimming fertilizer in former spring .
Then gradually increase the dose , so you ’re feeding them weekly as part of your regular begonia plant tutelage routine during the summer .
They can be sensible to chemicals tough . So I highly urge using anorganic blossom fertilizeron them , rather than synthetic ones .
A good quality organic compost fertilizer is always a heavy choice . you could buy it in aliquid dressed ore , or gettea bagsand brew your own . OrganicAfrican violet fertilizeralso works swell for fertilise begonia .
Instead of liquids , you could mix agranular fertilizerinto the filth a duo of times throughout the summer , if you prefer . Stop fertilize begonias in the fall , and do n’t feed them at all during the winter .
Repotting
The best time to repot is in the springtime , but only do it once they ’ve outgrown the container . begonia like to be root - bound , and can shin if repotted too often .
When it ’s clip for repotting begonias , be certain to select a container that is only one size of it larger than the current one . They can start to tolerate if they ’re planted in a pot that ’s too prominent .
Always use a container that has drain holes to forbid overwatering . Also , pots that are made out of plastic or ceramic are better selection than terracotta . Clay wicks moisture out of the soil , and it ends up being too dry for develop begonia .
Pruning
Regular pruning is a great agency to keep begonias growing and look their serious . Deadheading the faded blossom also helps to advance young blooms .
Spring is the good time to bring down them for shape and size . Pruning begonias in the fall or winter can result in unaccented and leggy growing .
But you could prune beat folio and flowers at any time during the yr . you could just pinch out the spend flowers , but be sure to use a sharp-worded duad ofprecision prunersto quash damage the plant while cut down the leaves and stem .
Pest Control
Another awesome affair that makes begonia plant upkeep even easier is that they do n’t commonly have much problem with houseplant pests . Yes !
Fungus gnatsandmealybugsare the biggest risks , so keep an middle out for them .
The presence of gnats in the soil is a star sign that you ’re overwatering . The best room to get rid of them is to allow the top column inch of land to dry between watering . you may also use ayellow sticky trapto supporter control them .
Bugs on the leaves are pretty rare . But if they do seem , it ’s best to care for them by hand rather than spraying anything on your begonia . Dip a cotton swab inrubbing inebriant , and use it to drink down and remove the bugs .
Many meter you could lave the leaves with a dilutedmild liquid soapand water system . But some begonias are sensitive to this , so be trusted to test it on a few leave before lave the whole plant life .
Begonia Propagation Tips
you’re able to disperse matured begonias from foliage or stem cuttings , by division , or even by collecting and then planting the semen .
The clipping are pretty easy to rout , as long as they get enough humidity . For best results , take cuttings that are a couple of inch long , and include a few folio nodes . Remove some of the low leave , as well as all of the flowers and buds .
Dip the cut end intorooting internal secretion , then hold fast it into a tripping airy soilless mix ofpeat moss , vermiculiteandperliteorpumice .
Keep the soil consistently moist , and be certain the melody around the cutting stays very humid . I have found that it ’s much easier to employ apropagation chamber , and I ’ve had the skillful success with that .
Learn all you need to live abouthow to propagate your begonias in my footstep by step pathfinder here .
Seeds
Growing begonia seeds is by all odds the hardest ( and slowest ) form of propagation . They can be a bit difficult to grow from seeded player , but it ’s fun to experimentation .
If you want to try saving source from your begonia , then do n’t deadhead the flowers . semen pods will take form where the bloom were .
Allow the pods to dry out on the plant , then collect them in a small bowl . The cum are lilliputian ( like dust ) , so do n’t essay this when it ’s windy !
Bringing Begonias Indoors For Winter
If you put your begonia out of doors for the summer , make certain you bring them back indoors before it nonplus too cold , or they could start to suffer .
It ’s good to bring them indoors before the temperature gets below 60 degrees F in the fall . They do n’t wish to be frigid , and the daze might be too much for them to survive .
Tuberous varieties are the only I that ca n’t be kept as houseplant , they prefer to go dormant during the wintertime . Learnhow to overwinter tuberous begonia here .
Troubleshooting Common Begonia Care Problems
The most frustrating affair about growing begonia is when they start having problems , and you have no melodic theme what ’s wrong .
So , in this section , I ’ve list out some of the most vulgar problems , along with the probable causes , and root .
Leaves Turning Brown
Most of the fourth dimension , brown leaves means they are n’t getting the right amount of water ( usually under lachrymation ) . But can also be because of lack of humidity or extreme temperatures ( freezing or suntan ) .
assure the soil stay systematically moist , and ladder ahumidifiernext to them if the gentle wind is teetotal .
Flowers Turning Brown
Begonia heyday plough brown as they bulge out to go back , which is totally normal . purloin out the brown / weakened flowers regularly to encourage sassy new blooms .
Leaves Turning Yellow
This is ordinarily do by overwatering , but in some sheath could be due to a fungal disease or lack of Light Within . control the soil is not wet or sloppy .
If you mistrust disease , prune off the yellow leaves , give your begonia better air circulation ( anoscillating fanworks large indoors ) , and never water over the top of the leaves .
Dropping Stems / Leaves
When a begonia starts dropping leaves and stems , it ’s normally because of too much water ( especially during the winter ) .
But it could also be from exposure to cold temps , or moving the plant around too much .
Leaves Turning White
White or faded farewell usually happens when they are getting too much lineal sun . Move it to a location where it catch bright , collateral light at heart , or to a shady spot outside .
Curling Leaves
This can be get by a issue of problem . First , check to verify there are n’t any bugs on the leave . Otherwise , it could be due to lack of humidity , wrong watering , or too much sun or heating system .
Wilting Or Drooping
Droopy foliage is usually because of under watering . But it could also chance after the flora has been repotted , if it ’s being overwatered , or if it ’s getting too raging .
Not Flowering
First off , not all begonia bloom , so this may be normal for the variety that you have .
If you have a flowering one , then it could be do by lack of nutrient , using the wrong eccentric of fertilizer , or not enough light .
Begonia Plant Care FAQs
Are begonias easy to grow?
Yes , they are easygoing to grow , as long as you give begonias the correct precaution . They are the most crabby about urine and humidity , which can be a struggle to get veracious for some .
Do begonias like sun or shade?
Most begonias like shade , and will burn down in the full sun . However , there are unexampled cultivars that have been bred to develop in the full Dominicus . So it really depends on which variety you have .
Can begonias live inside?
Yes , begonias can inhabit inside , and they make splendid houseplants . The only type you ca n’t grow indoors year - round are the tuberous ones , because they require a geological period of winter dormancy .
Do begonias come back every year?
It depends on where you be . Begonias are tender perennial that can survive outside during the wintertime in the right growing zone . Some are hardier than others though , so it ’s important to get it on the idealistic climate for each diverseness that you have .
Are begonias indoor or outdoor plants?
Begonias can be grown as either indoor or outdoor plant life , bet on where you live and the variety that you have .
How do I save begonias for next year?
Bring them indoors for the wintertime . Begonias can either be uprise as houseplant , or you may overwinter the Tuber – depending on what character you have .
Growing begonias is easy , and you’re able to enjoy their beauty twelvemonth round . Plus it ’s fun to call for different varieties , and they are all sure to add oodles of colouring material to your base and garden . If you follow these begonia flora care tips , they will thrive for twelvemonth to come .
If you require to take all there is to know about wield healthy indoor plants , then you need myHouseplant Care eBook . It will show you everything you need to know about how to keep every works in your home thriving . Download your copy now !
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