How to Grow and Care for Wax Begonia Indoors

Wax begonias are fibrous-rooted plants featuring a compact, bushy shape with fleshy stems, dark green or bronze waxy leaves, and loose clusters of flowers that bloom through summer and into fall. While most people think of begonias exclusively as outdoor plants, they also make excellent indoor plants, where they become true perennials. Begonias are slow growers that take several months to mature into flowering plants. Keep wax begonias away from pets because all begonias are toxic if ingested, especially the roots.

Can You Grow Wax Begonias Inside?

Wax begonias are easy plants to grow indoors, and they offer pretty indoor color during their flowering season. Choose a spot with bright, indirect light near a window, avoiding north-facing windows that may not receive enough sun. This species reacts poorly to drought or extreme cold. Moderately rich, well-drained soil like a standard potting mix will allow these plants to thrive with little care.

Warning

Wax begonias are considered aggressive growers to the point of invasive in Florida and Georgia. In these areas, it may be better to plant indoors.

How to Grow Wax Begonia Indoors

Sunlight

Bronze-leaved varieties of begonias tolerate harsh sun a little better than the green-leaved varieties. When growing them indoors as potted plants, give wax begonias as much bright light as possible. East-, west-, or south-facing windows are best, as these exposures provide sufficient light.

Artificial Light

If you don't have enough windows available to provide indoor wax begonias with proper lighting, use artificial lights to encourage healthy growth. Opt for a light that includes a mix of warm and cool colors to aid both foliage and flower production. At least 8 to 10 hours per day under a grow light, spaced a few inches above the plant can emulate the full to partial sun conditions that wax begonias need when grown outdoors.

Temperature and Humidity

Wax begonias like average to warm temperatures. As with all begonias, they do not like cold drafts and can't survive when freezing, but will thrive in temperatures above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. While these plants do well in humid outdoor conditions, indoor plants don't like especially high humidity, as it can encourage mildew on the leaves.

During the winter, move your plant as needed to ensure it stays in warmer rooms. Misting the plant a few times a month may help prevent it from drying out during this season, but extra humidity is not necessary during the rest of the year.

Watering

Indoor wax begonias should be watered when the soil dries through the first 1/2 inch. Established plants require less moisture and can go a long time between waterings. When watering, make sure it's thorough, and then let the pot drain completely. Do not let begonias sit in water, which encourages root rot.

Air Circulation

Wax begonias require good air circulation to grow well indoors. Place the plant near a gentle fan to emulate an outdoor breeze. This is especially important after misting your begonias during dry seasons, as the sitting water can encourage fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

Feed indoor wax begonias with liquid fertilizer weekly at quarter strength or biweekly at half strength (base specific amounts on your fertilizer's instructions) during the growing season. For every third or fourth feeding, use a high-phosphorous fertilizer.

Pruning and Maintenance

Deadheading will keep your wax begonia vibrant and free of old and browning leaves. Removing the dead flowers will help encourage more blooms. Trim the ends of your plant's stems every few weeks to avoid legginess and spur the growth of new branches.

Container and Size

Choose a pot that is slightly small compared to the size of your plant, opting for one size down from the reach of its foliage. A container with the same depth as its width will suffice. Wax begonias like to be a bit root-bound, and they won't require much repotting—once or perhaps twice in their lifetimes, at most. Because these plants require proper drainage, opt for a ceramic pot that allows excess water to escape, and ensure it has drainage holes on the bottom.

Potting Soil and Drainage

Use a general-purpose, peat-based potting mix to grow wax begonias. Soil amended with perlite will help your plant stay healthy and drain efficiently, like a standard potting mix from your local hardware store.

Potting and Repotting Wax Begonias

Grown indoors in pots, wax begonias will settle in happily and require little care. In most cases, it's better to take cuttings from older plants than to struggle with repotting and rehabilitating leggy specimens. If you decide to repot your begonia, transplant it in the spring into a slightly larger pot with fresh, fast-draining, and richly organic potting soil.

Moving Wax Begonia Outdoors for the Summer

Many people move potted begonias out to the patio or deck for the summer. This allows your plant to receive plenty of sunlight and air circulation during the warm months. Place the plant in a shady location for a week or two to help it get established. Wax begonias can also attract hummingbirds, so if you love watching birds, move these outdoors into a hanging basket or container for the summer months.

Considerations

Wait until temperatures have consistently reached 60 degrees or above before bringing wax begonias outdoors for the growing season. Indoor plants will do best in partial sun, though after they've become acclimated to life outdoors, they can be moved to a brighter spot.

If your plant dries out quickly or its leaves begin to droop, turn yellow, or feel crispy, move it to a shadier area and increase watering. Regular rainfall may also affect your begonia's watering needs: Check the soil's moisture regularly, and water when the top inch of soil feels dry.

When to Bring Wax Begonias Back Inside

Bring wax begonias back indoors once the weather cools in the fall, typically once nighttime temperatures drop below 60 degrees. Move the plant indoors slowly by placing it in a shadier spot than its usual location outside, then after a few days, bring it inside near a sunny window.

Reduce watering in winter when the plant is dormant. Before bringing plants inside for the winter, always check for pests. Debug outdoor specimens to prevent infestations from spreading to your other houseplants.

From: thespruce