Begonia care guide

Begonias are a huge group, with over a thousand species and thousands of hybrids. The ones grown as houseplants have some of the wildest leaves around: polka dots, silver swirls, spirals, and red undersides. Many bloom too.

The care below fits the common indoor types. The big difference between them is humidity.

Begonia types

Type	Known for	Notes
Cane, or angel wing	Tall, bamboo-like stems and wing-shaped leaves	Blooms well indoors. Polka dot begonia is a cane type.
Rex	Leaves in silver, pink, purple, and swirls	Grown for leaves. Needs the most humidity.
Rhizomatous	Thick stems that creep along the soil	Many have textured or star-shaped leaves
Wax	Small, waxy leaves and nonstop flowers	Often sold as a bedding plant

Light

Give begonias bright, indirect light, such as a spot near an east window. Direct afternoon sun scorches the leaves.

In low light, cane types get leggy and stop blooming, and rex types lose their color.

Water

Water when the top 2 to 3 cm (1 in) of soil is dry. Water until it drains, then empty the saucer.

Water the soil, not the leaves. Wet leaves invite powdery mildew and leaf spots. Begonias rot fast in soggy soil. Read how to tell if a houseplant is overwatered or underwatered.

Soil and potting

Use a light, airy mix. Add perlite to houseplant soil. Begonias have fine roots that rot in heavy soil.

They like a snug pot. Repot in spring only when roots fill the pot. Go up one small size. See how to repot a houseplant step by step.

Humidity and temperature

Most begonias like humid air and good airflow. Damp, still air invites mildew. A humidifier in a room with some air movement is ideal. Rex begonias need the most humidity.

Keep them between 16 and 24°C (60 and 75°F). Keep them off cold windows.

Feeding

Feed every two to four weeks in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength. Skip winter.

Pruning

Pinch the tips of cane begonias to keep them bushy. Cut tall, bare canes back to a few nodes in spring. New shoots grow from below the cut. Cut off spent flowers and any leaves with mildew.

Propagation

• Stem cuttings. Cut a stem tip with two or three nodes. Set it in water or damp mix. Roots grow in two to four weeks. This works for cane and wax types.
• Leaf cuttings. For rex begonias, cut a leaf into wedges, each with a vein. Press the wedges into damp mix in a covered container. Tiny plants grow from the veins in a few weeks.

Problems

What you see	Most likely cause
White, powdery coating on leaves	Powdery mildew. Improve airflow and keep leaves dry.
Stems rot at the soil	Too much water
Crispy, brown leaf edges	Dry air or dry soil
Long, bare canes	Not enough light, or never pruned
No flowers	Not enough light
Leaves drop	Cold, a draft, or a sudden move

Pests

Mealybugs, spider mites, and whiteflies can show up. Fungus gnats mean the soil stays wet too long. Read how to get rid of fungus gnats in houseplants.

Pet safety

The ASPCA lists begonia as toxic to cats and dogs. The roots and tubers are the most toxic part. Chewing can cause mouth pain, drooling, and vomiting. Keep begonias out of reach, and keep pets from digging in the pot.

Varieties

• Polka dot begonia has dark leaves with silver spots and red undersides.
• Angel wing begonias have tall canes and wing-shaped leaves, often with spots.
• Rex begonias come in swirls of silver, pink, purple, and green. ‘Escargot’ has spiral leaves.
• Iron cross begonia has a dark cross pattern on bumpy green leaves.
• Wax begonias have small, glossy leaves and pink, red, or white flowers.