Do you feel ready to grow some beautiful begonias but you’re not sure about the water requirements of the plant?
How Often to Water Begonias?
Generally speaking, begonias need watering every two to four days. However, the watering schedule may vary depending on the environmental conditions that might help the soil retain water for longer or cause it to dry out faster.
How to Tell if Begonias Needs Water?
Depending on their age, begonias have different watering requirements. Your begonia’s soil should be kept slightly moist for the first few weeks of its life but be careful not to overwater it. To know when it’s time to stop watering your plant, you should keep it planted in a pot with a good drainage system.
To avoid overwatering the begonia, wait until it has reached maturity before checking the soil for dryness. The best way to figure out if the begonia needs watering is to stick your finger into the soil. If the finger is dry to the first knuckle, then it’s time to water the plant.
How Do You Know When Your Begonias Are Sufficiently Watered?
The watering schedule for Begonias varies based on the climate. Watering should be done every two to four days. If you reside in a dry, hot climate, plan on watering your begonias every other day during the warmest part of the year.
Heat causes the water in the soil to evaporate quicker and it makes the plant thirstier. In cooler climates, watering the begonia twice a week is usually enough.
Can You Overwater Begonias?
Yes, it is possible to overwater begonias. Much like with other household plants, overwatering can lead to several problems for the plant, starting with something mild (such as leaves curling) and ending up with something lethal (such as root rot that can eventually kill the plant).
What are the Signs of an Overwatered Begonia?
One sign of overwatering is mold showing up on the surface of the soil.
Another sign of overwatering is represented by brown spots. These circular blotches indicate that your plant is not doing very well and that excessive watering is to blame.
Underwatering, excessive watering, and low humidity levels are all possible causes of curled begonia leaf tips.
Wilting is the next stage after curling leaves. The problem is that the stems have become too wet to stand upright like they used to be able to when they were healthy.
How Long Can Begonias Go Without Water?
Begonias can usually last about 10 to 12 days without water. It’s best to stick to a watering schedule to avoid leaving begonias without water for too long.
Should Begonias Soil Be Moist?
The most difficult part of cultivating begonias is finding the appropriate watering mix. The best approach to this is to allow the soil to be slightly damp while avoiding excess water to prevent root rot.
Why Are Begonias Turning Brown/Yellow?
Brown leaf edges are the most prevalent sign that your Begonia is too dry. Your Begonia loves a steady supply of water. Keep the soil moist at all times, and avoid allowing the top half of the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Because begonias dislike having their soil damp or sitting in water, be careful to remove any excess water from the saucer after watering.
Why Are My Begonias Droopy?
Begonias can become droopy for a variety of reasons:
- Underwatering is easy to let happen, and one of the most common causes of begonias wilting.
- The environmental conditions of the plant are changing (seasonal change or perhaps moving to a new home).
- You’ve been traveling and the begonia had to resist some extreme temperature changes.
- Some diseases can also cause droopiness, such as fungal leaf spots or Botrytis blight.
Do Begonias Need Fertilizer?
You should use a 10-10-10 liquid fertilizer when you initially plant your begonias and generally every three weeks thereafter to ensure healthy plants and an abundance of blooms.
For the best results, you want to apply the fertilizer at the best of the plant. Some leaves and stems are prone to suffer if you apply fertilizer straight on the crown of the plant.
How Much Sunlight Do Begonias Need?
While begonias are unable to withstand prolonged periods of direct sunlight, they do best when exposed to a combo of soft light and partial shade. You want to place it in a location where sunlight can be filtered.
Will Temperatures and Humidity Affect Begonias?
Ideally, begonias grow best in temperatures about 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and in lows in the mid-60s at night. They can survive higher temperatures if they are shielded from direct sunlight.
Even if begonias are not very strong in the face of overwatering, they love a humid environment. That means you want to keep the pots on pebble trays to ensure the plant gets enough humidity.
Will Begonias Survive in the Winter?
If you’re growing your begonias indoors, they can survive and grow during the winter as well. The fibrous varieties make for some great houseplants. The varieties with bulbs will go dormant during the winter.
Do Begonias Like to Be Sprayed with Water?
Begonias indeed thrive in environments with high humidity levels. However, directly misting the plant is not very efficient unless you spray the plant several times daily. Just keep in mind that the rex begonias don’t like water on their foliage.
How Do You Save Overwatered Begonias?
In the case of begonia overwatering, you need to analyze the extent of the problem. If you notice that the leaves are just a little curled, just allow the soil to dry before watering again. This should solve the problem.
Never place the plant in full sun to force the soil to dry out. In case the problem is deeper, you might need to have a look at the roots. If overwatering the plant has caused root rot, you might need to cut out the diseased part and repot the begonia.
Bottom Line
Begonias require a different approach to maintenance than other houseplants because they do best in environments with more humidity. A little humidifier may be necessary to keep the plant healthy in a dry area.
The key is to water your begonia regularly, as this is the most basic care you can provide. A lack of proper maintenance will limit your ability to take advantage of the stunning blooms that begonias have to offer.
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Jamie is the founder of The Backyard Pros. When he was 15 years old he started working at a garden centre helping people buy plants, gardening products, and lawn care products. He has real estate experience and he is a home owner. Jamie loves backyard projects, refinishing furniture, and enjoys sharing his knowledge online.