A young Wax Begonia needs more attention: Well-established plants can go longer between soakings. Water thoroughly each session and let the excess drain completely. The irritating flying pests need evenly damp conditions to proliferate. Never let your Begonia sit in soggy soil!Īllowing the surface to dry not only deters decay pathogens, it also helps reduce soil gnats. This keeps some moisture around the plant’s roots, but remember that it’s easy to overwater and trigger root rot. It’s best not to water on a schedule – instead, wait until the top inch of soil dries out. Even though the plant likes consistent moisture, they are mildly drought-tolerant (if the weather isn’t too hot). The thick, waxy leaves of a Wax Begonia minimize evaporation. If you’re not seeing enough flowers, consider increasing the plant’s light. Note: Even green-leaved varieties don’t bloom as abundantly in dim conditions. An eastern or western exposure is a prime location a south-facing window with protection from the hottest rays is another good choice. Indoors, a Wax Begonia can bloom all winter long in adequate light. Even sun-tolerant varieties can burn in intense sunlight, though, and may need midday protection. A plant with green leaves favors a shadier spot.
#Wax begonia seeds harvesting full
If you’re planting Wax Begonias outdoors in full sun, it’s best to choose a variety with bronze-colored leaves that manage better in direct light. The plant tends to grow more compactly and bloom more profusely with increased sunlight – as long as it isn’t intensely hot. The classic Wax Begonia has always brought welcome color to shady areas, but many newer varieties can tolerate full sun. Mildly toxic to pets and people if ingested.īuy Wax Begonias online at Etsy (I buy most of my houseplants from Etsy). Reduce the risk by not overwatering and maintaining moderate humidity and ventilation. Powdery mildew and fungal disease can strike in excessively damp, humid conditions. It can also attract aphids, thrips, and spider mites. Tolerates repotting well, but won’t need repotting until rootbound.įairly pest resistant, but mealybugs and whitefly are the most likely pests. Otherwise, little pruning is required.Ĭan be grown from stem cuttings or seeds quite easily. Remove dead foliage and pinch back to prevent your wax begonia from becoming leggy. Can bloom all year round in good light indoors.
Quite tolerant of a range of humidity levels, but do best in moderate humidity of 40-60%.īeautiful blooms from mid-spring to late fall when grown outside. Monthly during the growing season with half-strength regular, balanced fertilizer is a good option. The ideal temperature is 60✯ (16✬) to 75✯ (24✬), and tend to flower more profusely at the lower end of this range. Most potting mixes work well, ideally with 20-30% added drainage amendments such as perlite or bark chips.
Water once the top inch of soil feels dry. Some varieties can tolerate several hours of full sun per day.įairly drought tolerant, but do best in consistently moist soil. Wax Begonia Care Summary Scientific Nameīright indirect light. They have a fibrous root system and a mild resistance to brief droughts, and aren’t particularly troubled by pests or disease. The Wax Begonia won’t tolerate a frost, but it adapts well to being brought indoors for overwintering. The foliage is typically uniform and green, though some varieties have bronze-tinged or reddish leaves. The plants stand from six inches to two feet high and feature compact growth with oval-shaped, glossy leaves. They bloom in clusters of red, white, yellow, or pink flowers, and some varieties are pleasantly fragrant. Their natural summer-long flowering season can be extended indefinitely indoors in a sunny windowsill. The Wax Begonia thrives equally well as a houseplant or an outdoor annual in warm climates, it can be grown as a perennial. Modern hybrids have more colors and greater sun tolerance than the well-loved favorites of yesteryear. The group contains some of the hardiest members of the 1800+ army of Begonia species. The cheerful Wax Begonia (Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum) has been popular since the Victorian era. They aren’t finicky about humidity and have few pest or disease worries. They prefer room temperatures and slightly moist, rich, well-draining soil with light fertilization. Summary of Wax Begonia care: Wax Begonias (Begonia Semperflorens-Cultorum Group) bloom throughout their growing season in partial sun. In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about Wax Begonia care. Whether used as a landscape bedding flower or a container houseplant, these hardy blooming machines are as forgiving as they are versatile. Wax begonias are so familiar and commonly kept that it’s easy to take their excellent qualities for granted.
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