From our perspective, the world is cold and still. Our energy is withdrawn deep into our tubers or root balls, resting and gathering strength. For you, this means minimal interaction. If we are dormant tuberous begonias, store us in a cool, dark, and dry place like a basement, checking monthly that we are not shriveling or rotting. If we are hardy begonias, our foliage has died back; a protective layer of mulch over our planting area is all we need. For you houseplant varieties like Rex begonias, we appreciate consistent, slightly cooler temperatures away from drafty windows and just enough water to prevent our soil from turning to dust. We are not growing now; we are dreaming of the sun.
We sense the gradual lengthening of days. This is the time for preparation. For dormant tuberous types, you can gently place us in a tray of moist peat moss in a warm, bright spot to encourage sprouting. Once small pink buds appear, you can pot us up. For all begonias, this is an excellent time for repotting if we have become pot-bound. Use a fresh, well-draining potting mix that is rich and airy. Begin to increase our water frequency slightly as you see the first signs of new growth, but do not drown us. We are stretching our roots, waking up slowly.
We are now fully awake and eager to grow! The threat of frost has passed in most zones, and it is time to move us outdoors if we have been inside. Acclimate us slowly to the brighter outdoor light over a week to prevent our leaves from scorching. You can begin a regular feeding schedule with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half-strength. This is the energy we need to produce our magnificent foliage and prepare for blooms. Pinch back the tips of taller varieties to encourage us to become bushier and fuller plants.
This is our time to shine! We will reward your care with a spectacular display of flowers and vibrant leaves. We thrive in consistent moisture but despise wet feet. Water us deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry, ideally in the morning so our leaves dry before nightfall. Continue feeding us every two to four weeks. We appreciate bright, indirect light or dappled shade; the intense afternoon sun will bleach and crisp our beautiful leaves. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage us to put energy into producing more, not seeds.
As the nights grow cooler, our growth begins to slow. For tuberous begonias, you should stop fertilizing us to allow us to naturally enter dormancy. Reduce watering frequency for all types. After the first light frost blackens our foliage, it is time to lift our tubers from the ground. Cut our stems back, gently brush off the soil, and let us cure in a warm, dry area for about a week before storing us for the winter. For non-tuberous varieties you wish to keep, it is time to bring us back indoors before the first hard frost.
We are back inside now. For houseplant begonias like Angel Wings or Rex, place us in a spot with bright, indirect light and reduce watering significantly, allowing the soil to dry out more between drinks. The indoor air can be dry, so a pebble tray or occasional misting helps us, but avoid wetting our leaves too much. We are not looking for much food; a light feeding once a month is plenty. We are settling in for a quiet winter, conserving our energy for the cycle to begin again.
