Planting DesignDiscover the right plants for your garden.
Rieger begonia . Photo by : VeronikaVisuals / Shutterstock
begonia have long been cherished by gardener for their shade leeway , colorful flowers , and striking foliage . But did you roll in the hay that many types of begonias also make fantastical houseplants , allowing you to enjoy their beauty indoors all twelvemonth long ?
Since most begonia hail from tropical and subtropical realm , they by nature thrive in a fond indoor surround — as long as you meet a few crucial needs . To keep your begonias sound and vivacious , observe these simple begonia indoor tending tips for watering , sunlight picture , fertilisation , and more .
1. CHOOSE THE RIGHT BEGONIA
There are thousands of species and cultivars of begonia . Some are grow primarily for their flowers , while others are produce for their striking foliage . While many begonia will do well as houseplants with the right care , some varieties are better suited to an indoor environment than others .
Rieger or cane begonia ( Angel wings):To enjoy beautiful flowers indoors class - round , try Rieger begonias ( Begoniaxhiemalis ) or cane begonia , like angel wings ( Begonia coccinea ) . Rieger begonias are typically winter - blooming plant , while angel annex begonias can blossom several times throughout the year under idealistic conditions . In addition to their colourful flush , holy man wing begonias also feature a unique speckled design on their leaves , adding to their appeal .
Wax begonias : Although typically grown as garden annuals , you could also growwax begoniasindoors , where they will blossom continuously if placed in burnished , indirect light or under stilted lighting . They also have a nicely mounded , succinct habit , make them perfect for a desk or tabletop .
Rex begonias : If you want to grow begonias for their ornamental foliation , try plants from the rhizomatous begonia group , such as rex begonia ( Begonia rex - cultorum ) or atomic number 26 hybridization begonia ( Begonia masoniana ) . Rex begonias sport leaves with dazzle colors and unique patterns , while Fe cross begonias feature textured , cryptic green leaves with dark cross - shaped markings .
Tuberous begonias : One group of begoniasnotsuitable for growing indoors year - orotund aretuberous begonias , which choke back and go abeyant in wintertime . However , you could overwinter the Tuber indoors until it ’s prison term to replant them in the garden in leaping .
memorise more about the varioustypes of begonias .
Angel wing begonia . Photo by : Shadow Inspiration / Shutterstock
2. PROVIDE ENOUGH LIGHT—BUT NOT TOO MUCH
While most begonia are shade plants in the garden , they postulate mickle of bright , collateral light when grown indoors to keep their colors vibrant and to ensure inflorescence .
To give them as much luminousness as possible , without exposure to verbatim rays , commit your begonia near an east- or west - face window or by a sunny window cover by a sheer pall . During the winter month or where natural sparkle is lacking , consider assign your plants under grow light or fluorescent kindling .
“ Rex begonia thirst bright , indirect light to defend their vibrant vividness . reckon of them as sunbathers who favor a beach umbrella . lineal sunlight can blacken their frail leaf , so an east- or Rebecca West - facing window is ideal . ” — Stacy Ling , Bricks ' n Blooms
3. DON’T OVERWATER
Begonias thrive in filth that remains consistently moist but never waterlogged , since they can easy yield to take root bunk . The simple-minded way to control if your begonia needs water is to feel the soil . When the top inch is juiceless to the touch , it ’s time to water . If you ’re unsure , it ’s generally better to slightly underwater rather than overwater , as superfluous moisture can quickly lead to trouble .
When watering begonias , make certain the excess H2O drain freely from the bottom of the spate , and always empty the saucer beneath your plants to prevent standing urine .
Additionally , avoid getting water system on the leaves , which can make plant more susceptible topowdery mildewand other fungal diseases .
“ Water begonia plant thoroughly , pouring off the excess H2O or collect it in a pebble - filled saucer . This avoids root putrefaction because of plants baby-sit in excess piss . Using a pebble - filled tray also helps increase humidness around the plant , since the muckle sits on the pebble above the water . ”—Melinda Meyers , across the country known horticulture expert and author .
Rex begonia . exposure by : Margaret Witkor / Shutterstock
4. FERTILIZE REGULARLY
fertilize your indoor begonia properly is essential for the production of lush foliage and flowers . utilise a balanced limpid fertilizer ( such as 10 - 10 - 10 or 20 - 20 - 20 ) for ecumenical growth . If you ’re encouraging blooming , a fertilizer higher in phosphorus ( like 15 - 30 - 15 ) can help .
Because begonias are sensitive to fertilizer buildup , dilute the fertiliser to half - strength and practice it every two to four week during the growing season ( leaping and summer ) . As begonias slow their growth during the cool month of fall and wintertime , reduce the relative frequency of fertilizing to once every six to eight weeks or kibosh altogether to prevent overfeeding .
If you prefer natural fertilizer , you may also utilise compost tea , Pisces emulsion , orworm castingsto fork up aristocratic , slow - release nutrients .
5. PROVIDE A COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT
Indoor begonia thrive in warm temperature and high humidity , which mimics their lifelike tropical habitat . For optimal ontogenesis , train for humidity levels of 50 % to 60 % . If your nursing home is dry , try using a humidity tray ( placing pebbles and weewee in a shallow dish beneath the can ) , grouping plant together to create a microclimate , and run a humidifier nearby . Do not attempt to increase humidity by misting the leaf , which can lead to fungous issues .
Temperature - wise,“Begonias like a image between 65 ° and 75 ° fluorine , so if you ’re comfortable in your home , they will be comfortable in your home,”says Laura LeBoutillier ofGarden Answer .
However , like many tropical houseplants , begonias are raw to sudden temperature shifts , so prove to keep them aside from drafts and do n’t allow nighttime temperatures to drop below 55 ° F .
6. PRUNE AND DEADHEAD AS NEEDED
Just like your outside begonias , indoor begonias benefit from regular pruning and deadheading . Pruning promote bushier growth and helps maintain the works ’s shape , while deadheading to take spend bloom keep up the plant ’s energy and helps energise new blooms . You should also trim away any dead or damaged foliage to reduce the peril of fungous diseases .
When pruning , use clean , sharp scissors to cut back any leggy or overgrown stem just above a leafage node , being careful not to dispatch more than one - third of the plant life at a fourth dimension . When deadheading , just snip or pinch off the languish flowers as needed to keep your plants looking fresh .
7. DON’T IGNORE THE IMPORTANCE OF REPOTTING
Regular repotting is essential to the wellness of your begonia , especially in the first few years as they are growing and mature . grant to theAmerican Begonia Society , your begonia is ready for a larger quad if you gently remove the plant from its pot and the roots sustain all of the potting mixture together .
When repotting , take a container that ’s only an inch larger than the current one , since begonias choose close-fitting tooth root spaces . After moving your plant to its Modern home , fulfill in the gaps with a high - quality soilless pot mix , amending it with perlite if necessary to amend drainage .
The best time to repot a begonia is in leap , when the works is entering its participating grow phase . However , you’re able to repot at other time of the year if your begonia is fight and showing signs of crowded root word .
from Laura , Garden Answer
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are begonias toxic to pets?
Yes , all types of begonias are gently toxic to cats and firedog if ingest , according to theASPCA . Although the most toxic character of the flora are beneath the soil , it ’s still good to keep begonia out of reach of pets , particularly when maturate plants indoors .
How long can begonias live as houseplants?
Although begonia may look exotic , they are tough and adaptable and can thrive indoors for years . Some begonias , particularly rhizomatous varieties , can live for 10 years or longer with the proper care and generation .
Are begonias easy to propagate?
Yes . Many begonias can be easily spread , reserve you to inflate your assembling or conserve unique varieties . For most begonia , you ’ll have the greatest achiever by hire healthy stem or folio - tip cuttings and root them in H2O or damp land . Some rhizomatous begonia can also be divided at the root word and replant . ( * government note : Propagation of patented plants without authorization is interdict by law , include for personal , non - commercial use . Any manikin of replication — regardless of purport — is considered a violation of industrial plant patent rights . )
Why won’t my indoor begonias bloom?
There could be several reasons why your indoor begonias are reluctant to bloom .
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anne Balogh is a longtime horticulture writer and editor for Garden Design , with over 20 class of experience covering everything from container planting to landscape tendency . She draws inspiration from her own Zone 5 garden in Illinois , where she experiments with dauntless perennials and flowering annuals .
