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Light. Cane begonias need bright, indirect sunlight. Rhizomatous and rex begonias prefer a bit more shade. If leaves appear scorched, move your plant to a less sunny spot.
Can begonias live in low light?
Begonias are popular as low-light houseplants. You can keep almost any Begonia species healthy by placing it in a spot with indirect sunlight. The sun rays should pass through another medium before they reach your Begonia.
Do begonias need lots of sun?
Most begonias grow best in part shade (4 to 6 hours of direct morning sun a day), or filtered sun (as through trees). Most will tolerate full shade (no direct or filtered sun), but won’t be as dense and usually have fewer flowers. A few grow in full sun. They prefer moist, but not soggy, soils.
Do begonias grow well in shade?
They do best in situations with shade or morning sun/afternoon shade. Most varieties have flowers that hang down a little, making tuberous begonias ideal for hanging baskets and window boxes rather than garden beds and borders. No matter where you grow them, make sure they have good drainage to prevent rot.
How often should begonias be watered?
A good rule of thumb is to water every two to four days. When it’s hot and dry you’ll need to water more often than when the air cools down and the soil holds more moisture. Begonia plants in full sun will also require more water than plants in shady locations.
Do begonias like grow lights?
Fluorescent Light As a low-light plant, begonias require less intensive artificial light than many other types of plants — which grow with an artificial light as close as 3 inches from the top leaves.
How do begonias do in full sun?
Begonias need some sunlight, but they don’t do well if that sunlight is harsh and direct. Instead, place them in filtered light, such as beneath high, thin tree canopies. However, as noted below some begonia varieties might tolerate more sun than others.
Do begonias do well indoors?
Generally, fibrous and rhizomatous begonias make excellent houseplants while tuberous begonias can be grown as houseplants but have a harder time surviving due to the need for higher humidity and light than the other two kinds. Begonias grown indoors are especially susceptible to root rot and overwatering.
Do begonias do well in pots?
Begonias prefer growing in light, rich soil with a good concentration of humus, similar to the makeup of potting soil. So it’s no surprise the plants tend to thrive in containers. Begonias planted in a pot should be spaced 4-6″ apart and with the tubers buried hollow-side up.
Do begonias like heat?
Begonia Basics Morning sun (and a little afternoon shade) is perfect. Wax begonias can tolerate more sun than other types, and the ones with bronze-colored leaves are the most sun-tolerant of all. Tuberous begonias prefer more shade and less heat, so we often see them on display in late summer.
Which begonias do better in shade?
ANSWER: Whether the leaves are green or bronze, all of the wax begonias (Begonia semperflorens) prefer some shade during the day, particularly in the afternoon. Bronze leaf begonias are considered more sun tolerant, but even they will not like a sunny location once temperatures start reaching the 90s.
Do begonias need deadheading?
Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 6 through 11, depending on the cultivar, begonias (Begonia spp.) do not require deadheading to thrive. Rather they self-clean by dropping spent flowers on their own, says the University of Illinois Extension.
How do you keep begonias blooming?
Select a location receiving more direct morning or evening sunlight than mid day sun. Early morning / late day sunlight is much cooler with less intense rays. By keeping begonias out of the mid-day direct sun, the plants have less stress, and will produce more blooms.
Can you overwater begonias?
General Rules. The main rule of thumb for watering begonias is to not let the soil dry out completely. Stick your finger into the soil, and if it dry to your first knuckle, it’s time to water. Avoid overwatering, which will cause the foliage to turn yellow and eventually drop.
How do you water indoor begonias?
Begonias like evenly moist soil, but they prefer to dry out just a bit between waterings. Stick your finger in the soil up to the first knuckle—if it’s dry, water it. When watering your Begonia, opt for distilled water or rainwater if possible, as the plant can be sensitive to the dissolved salts in tap water.
Are begonias shallow rooted?
Most begonias prefer shallow containers, and this is especially true of the rhizomatous group. Their root systems grow horizontally rather than plunging downward, so they never sink into the lower half of the soil in a deep pot.
How long will rex begonia live?
Rex Begonia has a limited lifespan even in ideal conditions. Most plants live at most for about two to three years, which is also why they only get to a maximum of 24 inches tall.
