Caring for begonias in winter

How To Overwinter Begonias - Storing The Tubers Or Keeping Live Plants

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Overwintering begonias is easy, and a great way to save your favorite varieties every year. In this post, I’ll talk about three different ways to do it. Then I’ll show you how to dig and store the tubers, leave them in the ground, or keep them in their pots.

Though they are most commonly sold as annuals, you can keep begonias over winter and enjoy them year after year.

This is great news, because they’re so pretty, and I hate to watch them die in the fall. Plus it saves you money, since you won’t have to buy new ones every spring.

It’s easy to overwinter begonias, and there are a few ways to do it. In this detailed guide, I will share everything you need to know in order to be successful.

I’ll explain three different methods you can try, and show you exactly how to save begonias over winter. Including leaving them in the ground, digging up and storing the tubers, or keeping them as indoor plants.

Table of Contents

Will Begonias Survive The Winter?

Yes, with the proper care, begonias will survive the winter. Though they are most commonly used as annuals, they’re actually tender perennials that can live for many years.

In the right climate, they can even stay in the ground through winter. But if yours in not hardy to the area that you live in, then you’ll have to bring them indoors in the fall.

Related Post: How To Overwinter Plants: The Complete Guide

Methods Of Overwintering Begonias

The method you choose for overwintering begonias will depend on a few things. Where you planted them, where you live, and what type you have. Here are your three options…

Leaving begonias in the ground over winter
Overwintering begonias in pots
Digging up and storing begonias for winter

How To Overwinter Begonias

Before I go into the details of the different methods you can use for overwintering begonias, it’s important to understand that there are two distinct types.

One type has tubers (also called bulbs), and the other does not (referred to as “fibrous”). So, before you can decide how to keep them over winter, check the tag to see if yours is tuberous or fibrous.

1. Leaving Begonias In The Ground

As long as the type of begonia you have is hardy in your climate, then you can overwinter them right in the ground. If they have tubers, then they’ll survive as long it stays above 50°F.

During the winter, the foliage on tuberous varieties may die back if the bulb goes dormant. In that case, cut it down to the ground.

2. Overwintering Begonias In Pots

If your begonias are in a container, you can overwinter them right in the pot. Just make sure to bring them indoors before the temperature drops below 60°F.

Fibrous varieties like rex, angel wing, and wax, can be kept alive as a houseplant through the winter. But it’s much easier to allow the ones that have bulbs, like rieger, to naturally go dormant.

3. Digging & Storing Begonias For Winter

If your tuberous begonias are planted in your garden, you can dig them up and store them over winter. But in order for that to be successful, you must lift them before the first frost.

Leaving them in the ground too long will result in frost damage, which means they probably won’t survive in storage.

Overwintering a begonia in a pot

Preparing Begonias For Winter Storage

In this section I am going to give you all the details about how to dig up begonia tubers, and what you need to do in order to successfully store them for winter.

If you discover that yours doesn’t have tubers, you can skip the next few sections, and learn about how to keep them as a houseplant below instead.

When To Lift Begonia Tubers

Since they are not frost hardy, you’ll need to dig up your begonia tubers before it gets too cold outside. Ideally, you should lift them before it gets below 50°F.

Don’t worry if the foliage is still alive, that’s normal. It will naturally die back as the bulbs start to go dormant.

How To Dig Up Begonias

I find it easiest to dig up my begonias using a garden fork, but a spade shovel would also work. It’s important to dig at least one foot away from the main stem, or you could wind up cutting or damaging the tubers.

Once you pop them out of the ground, gently shake or brush off the excess dirt. Don’t rinse it off though, it’s better to leave a little extra soil on them than risk having the bulbs be too wet.

Curing Begonia Tubers Before Overwintering

For best results, you should cure (dry) begonia tubers before overwintering them. That way, there’s less risk of them rotting or molding.

First check to make sure none of them were damaged when you dug them up, and also look for signs of rot. Rotting or damaged bulbs should be discarded, as they won’t survive the winter.

Allow them to cure for a week or so before storing. To do that, simply spread them out on a shelf or the ground in an above freezing and dry location.

Red flowers on a begonia outside

How To Store Begonia Tubers Over Winter

Storing begonias in the right place over winter is important for the best success. If yours are in pots, then you can skip the section about packing them up, because you can just store them right in the container.

Packing Begonia Tubers For Storage

Once they have had time to cure, I store my begonia tubers in a cardboard box filled with a dry packing material.

You could use a paper bag to store them instead, or something similar. But don’t use anything made out of plastic because it holds too much moisture.

I usually use peat moss, pet bedding, or coco coir as my packing medium. But, you could use saw dust, wood chips, or a mix of perlite and vermiculite.

Place each tuber into the box so they aren’t touching each other, then fill the empty spaces with your packing material. As long as they aren’t touching, you can layer several bulbs into each box.

Where To Store Begonias In Winter

Whether you packed your begonia tubers in a box, or kept them in their pots, where you store them for winter is the same.

Keep them in a cool, dry, dark location, where the temperature stays between 50-60°F.

Some examples of good places to store them are an unfinished basement, a heated garage, or even a root cellar if you have one. Learn all about storing bulbs for winter here.

Tuberous begonia in full bloom before winter

Begonia Winter Care Tips

The specific details of caring for begonias in the winter depends on whether yours is tuberous or fibrous. Below are some quick tips for both. You can learn all about how to grow begonias here.

Winter Care Of Tuberous Begonias

If you’re overwintering tuberous begonias in pots, then water sparingly (or not at all) until spring. Take great care not overwater them, or the bulbs will rot.

They may continue to send out new growth during the winter, but this will be spindly and weak. If that happens, cut off the weak sprouts as they appear, and stop watering it all together.

For those packed in boxes, just peek at them every now and then to make sure none of them are rotting or molding. If you find any that are, toss them out before it can spread to the others.

Fibrous Begonia Winter Care

Caring for fibrous begonias over winter is very similar to your other houseplants. Put them in a place where they get bright, indirect sunlight.

Keep the soil consistently moist, but take care not to overwater them or the roots will rot. Make sure they stay away from any heat sources, as they prefer indoor temps between 65-75 °F.

Moving Begonias Back Outside In The Spring

After overwintering begonias indoors, you might be very antsy to move them back outside in the spring. But, in order for all of your efforts to pay off, you must move them back out at the right time.

When Move Begonias Back Outside

Once all chance of frost has passed in the spring, it’s safe to move your begonias back outside. If you kept them alive all winter, then you’ll need to slowly acclimate them back to living outdoors.

Start by placing them in a full shade spot where they’re protected from strong wind and weather. Then slowly move them to their permanent location outside over the course of a couple of weeks.

When To Plant Begonia Tubers

On the other hand, if you overwintered begonia tubers, then you should wait to replant them in your garden until the soil has warmed to 60°F. Use a handy soil thermometer to check it.

You can start them indoors 6-8 weeks before you want to plant them outside. Soaking them in warm water or a compost tea solution can help to break their dormancy faster.

For potted bulbs, move the container to a bright location 6-8 weeks before you want to move it outside, and begin watering it.

Allow any excess water to drain from the pot, and add bottom heat to help wake it up faster.

My weeping orange begonia that I overwinter every year

FAQs About Overwintering Begonias

In this section, I’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about overwintering begonias. If you can’t find the answer to yours here, ask it in the comments below.

Can begonias grow indoors over winter?

Yes, begonias can grow indoors over winter. Non-tuberous (aka: fibrous) varieties can easily be kept as houseplants.

However, the ones that have bulbs will naturally go dormant during the winter. So all of the leaves and flowers will drop off.

Can you leave begonias in the garden over winter?

You can leave begonias in the garden over winter if the type you have is hardy in your zone, or it never gets below 50°F outside. Otherwise they must be brought indoors.

How long can you store begonia tubers?

You can store begonia tubers for several months. However, don’t try to keep them in storage for too long, or they will eventually dry out and die. It’s best to plant them every year, even if you don’t get to it until later in the summer.

Can you overwinter begonias in pots?

Yes, you can overwinter begonias in pots. Fibrous types can be kept as a houseplant, while tuberous varieties should be stored dormant in a cool, dark location.

Overwintering begonias is easy, and it’s a great way to save your favorite varieties every year. And now that you know how to store tuberous begonias, you can start a collection!

If you struggle to keep indoor plants alive over winter, then you need my Winter Houseplant Care eBook. It will show you all you need to get them to thrive all year round. Download your copy today!

Overwintering A Begonia In Cold Climates

Home › Ornamental Gardens › Flowers › Begonias

Begonias

By: Nikki Tilley, Author of The Bulb-o-licious Garden

Image by Greenseas

Begonia plants, regardless of type, cannot withstand freezing cold temperatures and require appropriate winter care. Overwintering a begonia is not always necessary in warmer environments, as winters are generally less severe. However, to ensure proper begonia care, you should be wintering over begonias indoors if you live in areas prone to freezing temperatures, such as northern climates.

In order to keep and enjoy begonias in the garden each year, begin by wintering begonias indoors.

Overwintering Tuberous Begonias

Tuberous begonias should be dug up and stored indoors during winter until the return of warmer weather in spring. Begonias can be dug up in fall once foliage has faded or just after the first light frost.

Spread begonia clumps on newspaper and leave them in a sunny area until thoroughly dry — about a week. Once they have sufficiently dried, cut away any remaining foliage and gently shake off excess soil.

To prevent problems with fungus or powdery mildew while wintering begonias, dust them with sulfur powder prior to storage. Store begonia tubers individually in paper bags or line them in a single layer atop newspaper. Place these in a cardboard box in a cool, dark, dry location.

You should also be overwintering a begonia grown outdoors in containers. Pot-grown begonia plants can be stored in their containers as long as they remain dry. They should also be relocated to a protected area that’s cool, dark, and dry. Pots can be left in an upright position or slightly tipped.

Overwintering Annual Wax Begonia

Some begonias can simply be brought indoors prior to the onset of cold weather for continual growth, such as with wax begonias.

These begonias should be brought indoors for overwintering rather than digging them up. Of course, if they’re in the ground, they can be carefully transplanted into containers and brought indoors for growing throughout winter.

Since bringing wax begonias indoors can cause stress on plants, which leads to leaf drop, it often helps to acclimate them beforehand.

Before bringing wax begonias indoors, however, be sure to treat them for insect pests or powdery mildew first. This can be done by spraying plants or gently washing them with warm water and bleach-free dish soap.

Keep wax begonias in a bright window and gradually reduce the amount of light to help them adjust to an indoor environment. Increase humidity levels but cut down on watering over winter.

Once warm temperatures return, increase their watering and begin to move them back outdoors. Once again, it helps to acclimate plants to reduce stress.

This article was last updated on 10/20/22

how to keep a plant in an apartment during cold weather, useful tips for caring for a flower until spring Dacha expert

Homemade begonias from year to year can please the eye with their unique individuality and a variety of bright palettes. These plants are chosen to decorate the home, as well as personal plots. After all, flowers do not require close attention.

However, the change of seasons affects the plants. They also suffer from winter depression, due to lower temperatures, reduced daylight hours. If you do not carry out proper care, the flowers will begin to wither, and the weak may die. nine0003

Show content

Flower subspecies

Home care

Wintering in an apartment: what do you need?

Cold weather care for different species

Choosing the right place

How to celebrate spring?

Conclusion

Subspecies of flowers

ATTENTION : Begonia is an annual or perennial plant that has a huge number of varieties that differ in bush size, leaf shape, color range of inflorescences, type of growth. Among begonias, flowering, decorative-deciduous, tuberous groups are considered the most common. nine0003

Flowering begonias densely covered with inflorescences of various shades: white, pale yellow, orange, pale pink, scarlet, bright red. The texture of flowers is terry and semi-double.

Decorative deciduous varieties are distinguished by a juicy green tint of leaves that have a different shape and size. This species does not have beautiful, decorative flowers.

Tuberous begonias grow up to 50 cm in height, have a strong stem and large double flowers. Tuberous varieties are used for outdoor and indoor growth. nine0011

Home care

In winter, plants are at rest, this is an important condition for further development, the ability to luxuriantly bloom. Each species has its own characteristics of wintering. This variety of begonias does not have a clearly defined dormant period. They grow well all year round. But with the advent of winter, it is necessary to lower the room temperature to + 16 ° C and reduce watering.

At a temperature of +22°C and above, the plant needs abundant watering, it will grow intensively. However, due to the short daylight hours, the sprouts will stretch and have a pale color. Therefore, in winter, it makes sense to keep begonias in conditions of low temperature, minimal watering. nine0003
Plants should be placed on a well-lit window sill , extra light at this time will not hurt. You should also take care of an additional source of lighting. Near the heating radiators, the flower does not feel comfortable. Insufficient moisture leads to drying of the leaves. To prevent this from happening, it is better to place the plants away from heat sources, or cover them with a wet cloth, which will increase the level of humidity in the room.

Be careful not to get liquid on the leaves when wetting. This can lead to the development of fungal diseases. nine0003
Begonias should not be transplanted or propagated in winter. The disturbed root system of a flower during the cold period is rather difficult to rehabilitate, and the development of diseases is possible.

Read more about caring for begonias at home here.

Wintering in an apartment: what do you need?

Decorative flowering species do not require certain conditions . The parameters for them are the same as for decorative foliage:

low room temperature; nine0011
high humidity;

it is necessary to water the soil after complete drying of the top layer of soil in the pot;

Avoid re-rooting and transplanting.

There are varieties that bloom all year round, they do not need any preparation for the winter season. Just add, if possible, a little artificial light and provide winter nutrition with minerals (how to feed the begonia is discussed here). This will ensure a continuous flowering process.

Cold weather care for different species

Tuberous flowers are grown outdoors and in vases on windowsills and below we will look at how they can be preserved. This type of begonia has a pronounced sleep period, but garden and indoor plants hibernate under different conditions.

Orchard

At the end of November, the tubers of the plant are carefully dug out of the open ground.

Cut off the stems, leaving no more than 2 cm. Shake off the remnants of the earth and send to dry in a warm, dry, ventilated room. nine0011
After 10-14 days, dried tubers are placed in a pre-prepared box for further storage. The optimal temperature and humidity conditions for the normal conservation of natural material will be up to + 10 ° C and humidity 80%.

The tubers are in a natural substrate, sand or peat, which is recommended to be moistened periodically.

Indoor

If tuberous begonia grows on window sills, do not remove it from flowerpots for the winter . In order for the plant to gain strength and energy for further development, it is necessary to provide suitable conditions:

Move to a dimly lit area in the house.

Reduce temperature to +15°C.

Water every 10 days.

Maintain 60-70% humidity.

Do not fertilize.

Do not transplant or propagate plants.

If the leaves and stems do not wither for the winter, it is not necessary to prune the begonia.

Insulate the begonia pot so that the root system of the flower does not get too cold.

The right choice of location

IMPORTANT : The main task of how to properly store begonia at home is to maintain the necessary humidity in the room. In a dry microclimate, the tubers can dry out, with high humidity there is a possibility of rotting. The optimal limit varies in the range of 70-80%.

Suitable places for proper conservation of begonias:

Cellar or basement . Tubers are stored in containers with sand, sawdust or soil mixture. Samples should not touch each other and be surrounded by a soft "cushion". nine0011
Refrigerator . Here, the tubers are placed in a plastic bag with holes for ventilation, sprinkled with a substrate. Keep the bag in the vegetable drawer. Periodically, you need to inspect the tubers for the presence of fungal diseases, mold, rot.

For indoor begonias in flowerpots, the best wintering option will be insulated loggias, balconies, cellars, heated greenhouses, the coolest places in the house .

How to celebrate spring? nine0029
At the beginning of March the plants wake up from their winter hibernation.

Orchard:

Tubers should be taken out and left in a warm room for a while to warm up.

Then treat the tubers with a solution of potassium permanganate.

Preferably germinate in wet sawdust or sand before planting.

If a medium-sized tuber has buds, it can be divided into several parts.

Treat the sections with ash.

When spring night frosts are no longer terrible, tuberous begonias are planted in open ground. nine0011

Indoor plants:

In the first days of spring, indoor plants are moved to the lightest windowsill in the house.

Gradually begin to resume watering, gradually increasing the ambient temperature.

The soil can be changed before the active growth phase begins. Finding out whether this is necessary for a flower is simple: the root system has filled the entire space of the pot. Begonia should be transplanted into a pot with a diameter larger than the previous one, doing it carefully and carefully. There must be a drainage layer at the bottom of the container. nine0011
In the spring they begin to feed the flowers little by little. This is especially true for non-transplanted plants.

The soil in which they are located should be enriched with mineral fertilizers.

Conclusion

In general, the process of winter storage of begonias is not difficult, even a beginner grower can easily handle it. The main thing to remember: proper storage of begonias in winter is the key to healthy growth and magnificent flowering in summer .

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BEGONIA: care in autumn and how to prepare for winter

Introducing fall and winter care for begonias under different conditions. We tell you how to prepare tuberous begonia for winter: when to dig up and how to store tubers.

We also describe caring for begonias in winter at home, caring for young flowers and what to do with begonias in the garden after winter.

Contents of the article:

1 Is it necessary and when to dig up begonias for the winter? What is the difference?

2 Preparing tuberous begonias for winter outdoors

2.1 Digging up begonia tubers for the winter

2.2 Tuber begonia: winter storage

: care and planting in spring

Should begonias be dug up for the winter and when? What is the difference?

Begonias are mainly heat-loving plants and preparing them for winter is an important task for flower growers, on which their future depends. nine0003
When approaching the question of how to care for autumn and how to prepare for winter, it is necessary to take into account the type of begonia, its condition and personal preferences.

Tuberous begonia, which belongs to ornamental-flowering species, or ever-flowering begonia, as an annual plant, is grown in open ground in the CIS.

Tuberous begonia is a hybrid variety combined by the presence of perennial tubers.

Large tubers of begonias (blooming in the open field in summer) are recommended by experts to be placed in peat/sand after the aerial part of the plant dies off in autumn and stored in a cold place during dormancy. In early spring, begonia tubers begin to germinate. nine0011
Large tubers of begonias (blooming in pots in summer) can be left in the pot after the aerial part of the plant dies off in autumn. It is necessary to move the plants to a cold place.

Begonias grown from seeds and flowers with small tubers are recommended to be stored in a cold and bright place in winter and moderately watered.

Each tuberous begonia needs a dormant period - at least 2 months a year, and preferably about 100 days (minimum - January-February).

Preparing tuberous begonia for winter growing outdoors

Now let's move on to the story of how to prepare tuberous begonia for wintering to get tubers.

After the end of flowering, the above-ground part of the begonia gradually dies off and the tubers begin to actively develop, accumulating nutrients. After the accumulation of nutrients in the tubers, the begonias will have a dormant period.

Some experts recommend that tuberous begonias not be dug out of the ground for as long as possible. nine0011

This allows the begonia tubers to accumulate the maximum amount of nutrients. They believe that you should not be afraid of the first frosts and rush to dig up begonias.

This option is suitable for mature plants with large tubers.

In our instructions for digging up begonia tubers, we give a variant with an earlier digging up of begonias with a clod of earth.

Tuberous begonia, hybrid

Digging up begonia tubers for the winter

In September, when the first frost threatens, dig up the tuberous begonia with as large a clod of earth as possible.

Begonias that grew in containers are taken out in a whole lump by tapping on the bottom of the pot.

After digging, begonias are sorted according to tuber size. Experienced flower growers recommend that small (less than 2 cm in diameter) and large begonia tubers be divided as small tubers are more prone to drying out.

Then the begonia with a clod of earth is placed tightly with each other in boxes and they are placed in a bright, ventilated place protected from rain with a temperature of 14-16 degrees Celsius. Watering is reduced. nine0011
At this time, the aerial part of the begonia begins to die off little by little. After the leaves fall, watering the plants is stopped. After flowering, begonias enter a dormant period.

After the complete death of the aerial part (1-1.5 months), the tuberous begonia is cut off at a level of 2-3 cm from the ground. Pruning helps to avoid infection of tubers by pathogenic fungi.

12-16 days after pruning, begonia tubers are cleaned from the ground and sprinkled with dry sand or peat and put in boxes. nine0011

TIPS. It is convenient to dig begonia tubers from the open ground with a pitchfork (garden fork).

The main thing is to dig out the begonia tubers together with the earth (soil mixture) and in no case shake it off.

Mature begonias with large tubers can be dug up 12-16 days after cutting off dying shoots. Those. start from point 5.

Tuberous begonia: storage in winter

Next, we describe the storage of begonia tubers in winter, and the 1st paragraph is a continuation of the previous chapter. nine0003

Boxes with small and large begonia tubers are stored from November to the end of February at a temperature of 7-9 degrees Celsius.

The box of tubers is periodically sprayed: large tubers - 1 time per month, and small tubers of begonias - 1 time in 3 weeks, so that they do not dry out. They also remove rotten tubers, if any.

Tubers do not need to be divided before storage.

Storage of begonia tubers in the winter in the refrigerator

If you want to store begonia tubers in the winter not in the basement or cellar, then after sorting they can be put in a plastic bag filled with peat, sawdust or moss and put in the refrigerator. nine0003
The bag with tubers is periodically taken out and moistened, similarly to the 2nd point in the chapter “Storing tubers in winter”.

Begonia tuber

Preparing young begonias for winter: care in the first year

Young plants with small tubers after digging out of the garden are recommended to be placed with an earthen clod in separate boxes.

Young begonias have a relatively dormant period and their above-ground parts often remain green in winter. Young flowers overwinter in boxes in a bright, cool place with moderate watering. nine0011
With the onset of spring, young flowers begin to grow again. In April-May, they are transplanted into separate pots, and in early June, if desired, plants can be transplanted into open ground.

Having lived all summer in pots, begonias begin to prepare for a dormant period. After the leaves fall in the fall, watering the begonias is stopped.

In October, pruned withered shoots of potted tuberous begonia at a level of 1-2 cm from the ground.

Then, until the beginning of March, flower pots are removed to the coldest place in the house or to the basement, cellar, balcony. Occasionally and little watered into the pan, so that the tubers do not dry out. nine0011
At the beginning of March, the pots are moved to a bright place and watered more abundantly. When sprouts appear, begonia tubers are delicately cleaned of the substrate and transplanted into a new soil mixture.

Overwintering of tuberous begonias in a pot: care at home

Begonias with large tubers that bloomed in summer in a pot can be left in it for the winter after the aerial part has died.

To keep the begonia in bloom for as long as possible, put it in a bright place, but out of direct sunlight. Begonias are watered in the apartment at the moment the nutrient substrate in the pot dries out, about once every 10-14 days. nine0011
When the flowering of begonia gets tired or it stops blooming on its own, watering is stopped, cut off (2-3 cm from the ground) and transferred to a dark and cool place (basement, cellar).

In January-February, tubers are taken out of the ground, wrapped in a wet towel and placed in a plastic bag (it should be ajar) next to the battery.

After about 2-3 weeks, the first sprouts appear. Tubers are planted for distillation in small pots (500 g plastic cups) with moist soil. The tubers are slightly pressed into the ground. nine0011
After 2-3 weeks, the begonias are transshipped into a new permanent pot, and the tubers are covered from above with a 2-4 cm layer of soil mixture.

This method is well suited for tuberous begonias growing in pots.

Some experts recommend taking begonias out in winter to a warm place to "warm up" in the sun: every other day for 2-3 hours.

Begonia after winter: care and planting in spring

In March-April, begonia buds begin to swell, and the plant gradually comes out of dormancy. Now you can carry out cuttings of ever-flowering begonias or planting tuberous begonias for germination in wet peat. nine0003

2-3 months before planting begonias in a permanent place (March-April), the tubers are taken out of the sand/peat and planted in pots/containers for germination (forcing).
If the begonia was stored in the winter in boxes with a clod of earth, then they simply take them out.

Tubers are planted upside down (flatter or concave part with buds (bumps/bumps)).

Begonia tubers need a temperature of 17-20 degrees Celsius, high humidity and regular watering for good germination. For 2-3 weeks, the first shoots of begonias reach about 5-6 cm in height. In general, tubers germinate unevenly and for a long time. nine0011
It is at this stage that tuberous begonia is recommended to be propagated by cuttings or division. Tubers can be cut into several parts, the main thing is that each has 3-4 buds. Usually, old tubers are divided into 2-4 parts, it is desirable to treat the places of cuts with charcoal.

After the sprouts get stronger, grow up and form the first leaves, the begonia tubers from the boxes can be planted in separate pots.
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