From my perspective as a Begonia, winter is a period of deep rest, not death. My growth above the soil slows dramatically or stops entirely as I redirect my energy inward to my tubers, rhizomes, or root system. Your primary job is to understand whether I am a tender type that must come indoors or a hardy variety that can weather the cold outside. My fundamental needs shift from vigorous growth to simple survival: less water, no fertilizer, and protection from freezing temperatures. Ignoring this need for dormancy will exhaust me and lead to my decline.
If you have brought my pot indoors, please understand I am not seeking attention. I require a significant reduction in watering. My soil should be kept barely moist, as my roots are barely drinking. Soggy soil will cause them to rot, which is a death sentence for me. Place me in a cool, bright spot away from direct heat sources like radiators or hot air vents. The excessive dry heat will desiccate my leaves and stress me. I appreciate humidity, so a pebble tray with water beneath my pot (without my pot sitting in the water) is a welcome comfort. Do not feed me; I am not growing and cannot process fertilizer.
For those of us grown in outdoor containers, a different approach is needed. After the first frost blackens my beautiful foliage, please do not despair. Cut my stems back to about 5 cm above the soil. You must move my pot to a dark, cool, but frost-free location for the winter, such as a basement, garage, or shed where temperatures stay consistently between 7-13°C. I must be allowed to go fully dormant. Water me very sparingly, just enough once a month to prevent my tubers or roots from completely shriveling into dust. I am alive, merely sleeping deeply.
For those of us planted directly in the garden soil, our strategy is insulation. After the frost kills our top growth, cut us back to the ground. The most critical step is to apply a thick, protective blanket over our resting place. A deep layer of mulch, such as straw, shredded leaves, or bark chips, is essential. This layer acts as a buffer, protecting our vulnerable tubers and roots from the damaging freeze-thaw cycles of winter. It keeps the soil temperature more consistent and prevents the ground from heaving, which could tear our roots. Come spring, this blanket can be gently removed as the temperatures warm.
As the days lengthen and the threat of frost passes, you can help me emerge from my slumber. For those indoors and those in storage, gradually increase watering and move me into warmer, brighter conditions. You will see new shoots emerge from my soil—this is your cue to resume regular care. For my garden friends, the mulch can be carefully pulled back to allow the sun to warm the soil and encourage my new growth. A gentle feeding at this time will provide the energy I need for a new season of vibrant growth and flowering.
