7 Ways to Care for Potted Begonias Indoors for Blooms All Year Round

Begonias are flowering plants that are very well suited to being grown indoors in pots. They like cool, shaded spots with indirect light, and they can also be combined with other flowers in mixed plantings. They are actually tropical perennials, making them very suitable for growing as indoor potted plants. With proper care, they can bloom every year.

There are tens of thousands of begonia varieties, and their leaf shapes, sizes and flower colors all differ. Some people love begonias for their beautiful flowers, while others love the leaves and the striking patterns of foliage begonias, but their care methods are all much the same.

The begonias we can often buy at flower shops include wax begonias (Begonia semperflorens), Rieger begonias, tuberous begonias and glass begonias.

(A splendid potted begonia in a flower shop)

Among them, tuberous begonias are rather difficult indoor flowers to grow, because they go dormant in winter, while most other begonias are very easy to grow.

In spring and summer, begonias can be grown outdoors, which lets them grow more vigorously. Begonias grown outdoors in summer must not be exposed to scorching sun; keep them in a spot with partial shade and partial sun.

Begonia boliviensis

Once it turns cold in autumn, potted begonias should be moved indoors for care, and the minimum care temperature should be kept above 7 degrees. Begonias are very afraid of the cold and are easily frost-damaged. Given proper indirect light on an indoor windowsill, begonias can also keep growing vigorously.

1. Watering potted begonias

The most crucial part of begonia care is watering. They are very sensitive to moisture, and if the soil becomes waterlogged, the roots rot easily. The most common mistake beginners make with begonias is overwatering, which very easily kills them.

If the soil feels completely dry, you can test it by inserting a finger into the soil; if it is dry 3-5 cm down, it is time to water.

When watering, be careful not to pour water directly onto the leaves and flowers. Damp leaves are prone to fungal disease and rot easily. It is best to water from the base of the plant and avoid wetting the branches and leaves.

2. Care humidity

When caring for potted begonias indoors, you still need to maintain fairly high air humidity.

Potted begonias like high air humidity, so when grown indoors you should regularly mist around them or run a humidifier.

When caring for begonias in winter, humidity is what needs the most attention, because indoor air is usually quite dry. You can put some pebbles on a tray, pour water into the tray so the water level does not rise above the pebbles, and then set the begonia on top of the pebbles; this helps raise the air humidity.

3. Light requirements

Begonias like bright, indirect light. A windowsill or a west-facing balcony is quite suitable for them. They dislike scorching sun or direct light and prefer a spot with partial shade and partial sun. If grown outdoors in summer, they should be placed somewhere slightly shaded to avoid direct sunlight.

4. Points to note when repotting

The best time to repot is in spring. The container for growing begonias must not be too large, as too large a pot easily becomes waterlogged. Each time you repot, choose a container one size larger, and use soil with good drainage. Just use a general-purpose potting soil, and you can add an appropriate amount of peat moss, vermiculite, perlite or river sand to the soil.

5. Proper fertilizing

Begonias only need appropriate fertilizing in spring and summer. After the weather warms in spring, the first feeding should be at a lower concentration than usual, at 1/4 the usual concentration; after about three weeks of this care, you can fertilize normally.

It is best to use organic liquid fertilizer. Ordinary chemical fertilizers easily irritate begonias, while compost soil or organic liquid fertilizer can promote flowering and growth in begonias.

Once it turns cool in autumn, stop fertilizing begonias, and do not fertilize at all in winter.

6. Pruning and propagation

There is not much to watch out for when pruning begonias. Generally, just prune regularly to keep them from growing too messy. If you see dead branches and withered leaves, cut them off, and remove flowers once they wither.

Propagating begonias is also very simple. It is usually done by stem cuttings, and occasionally by leaf cuttings. When propagating, be careful to maintain fairly high air humidity, prepare sand or perlite for the cuttings, keep it moist, and keep the temperature at around 20 degrees; this makes rooting and sprouting very easy.

For stem cuttings, you can dip the cut end in some rooting powder to make rooting even easier.

7. Begonia pests and diseases

The most troublesome thing about growing begonias at home is pests and diseases, so check them regularly. If you see small black flies buzzing around the begonia, this proves you have been overwatering; letting the soil dry out completely can prevent fungus gnats.

You can sprinkle diatomaceous earth on top of the soil and avoid watering during this period; only water once the soil has dried out completely.

If you find pests, deal with them promptly. You can dip a cotton swab in some alcohol and apply it directly to the pests to kill them.

When caring for potted begonias, as long as you maintain a suitable environment, give appropriate light, and water and fertilize regularly, they can bloom all year round. They are very beautiful ornamental flowers.