Begonia is a popular spring flower. 

Its fleshy petals with delicate colours are a feast for the eyes. 

And that's why you're here: because you too want to grow this flower at home to enjoy its flowering every year. 

Are we wrong?

Well, we have good news and bad news…

The bad news is that, for your begonias to grow healthy, they need some minimal knowledge (very little, because it is a fairly resistant plant; but some knowledge you do need).

And the good news?

The good news is that we are going to explain everything you need to know about begonia care. 

Shall we start?

Begonia Care Guide

Begonia is not only a plant with a beautiful flowering.

In addition, its flowers can last all summer and part of the fall; even, some species maintain flowering most of the year when they are in warm climates.

That is why it is a favourite of many gardening enthusiasts.

But as we were saying, in order to enjoy it, you have to know how to care for it correctly.

That's what we're going to explain now.

1. Light Exposure

Begonia does not tolerate direct light.

Too prolonged sun exposure can burn the begonia leaves and cause them to wilt. 

Therefore, it is best to place begonia in a place where it receives indirect and diffuse light. For example, if you grow it indoors (which is the most common), a good option is to leave it near a window where it receives several hours of light per day. 

If even so, you notice that the leaves are wilting, try using translucent curtains to soften the light.

2. Temperature

Begonia is not a plant of excesses; not with light, nor with temperature either.

The ideal temperature for this plant is a range between 18 and 22 ºC during the day, and between 16 and 18 ºC during the night. 

If it is subjected to excessive cold or heat, this could affect its health and even damage it. Hence, it is customary to grow it as an indoor plant.

3. Watering

This plant requires regular and constant watering, but with care not to flood the substrate. 

Excess water can cause root rot problems and lead to fungi. On the other hand, if the plant does not receive enough water, it will hardly flower (or even worse).

The frequency of watering depends on several factors, such as room temperature, humidity, and the type of substrate used. In general, the recommendation is to water the substrate before it dries out completely. 

Remember to water slowly so that the soil has time to absorb the water.

4. Substrate

Begonias are not particularly demanding when it comes to substrate.

It's enough to choose a universal substrate that is rich in nutrients and (most importantly!) has excellent drainage.

If the mixture is too clayey, it will retain too much water and could affect the roots.

5. Fertilizer

With the right fertilizer, your plant will grow much more and produce more flowers.

Our advice is to fertilize it at least once a month, especially during the growth stage (spring and summer).

Depending on where you have it grown, the fertilizer to use will vary. For example:

• If you grow it in a pot: use a liquid fertilizer for flowering plants.
• If you have it in the garden: in this case, a granulated fertilizer for flowers will be better for you.

During the winter, when the begonia enters a state of dormancy, you can interrupt the fertilization.

6. Pruning

This plant also does not require special pruning care.

The most important thing is to remove dead or diseased leaves and branches, as they will steal nutrients from the plant and limit its growth. You can also do regular maintenance pruning to control the size and shape of the plant.

7. Pests

If you grow it as an indoor plant, it is unlikely that your begonia will be affected by pests.

But what if you grow it in the garden, or on a terrace or balcony?

Then things change.

In these cases, you must be very careful with:

• Aphids.
• Spider mites.
• Scale insects.
• Whiteflies.

If you see that some of these unwanted visitors appear on your plants, you can use a universal or specific insecticide to eliminate them.

Also, be careful with fungi (to prevent their appearance, the most critical thing is to be careful with excess watering, as we mentioned before).

Ready to give your begonia the care it needs?

We hope that this begonia care guide has been useful to you.

If you have any questions, you know that you just have to contact us through this link.

We will be happy to help you keep your plants healthy and happy.