Wax begonia care guide
Begonia Semperflorens-Cultorum Group
Also known as: Bedding begonia, Fibrous begonia
Pets and children
Considered toxic
It contains calcium oxalate, most of all in the roots; dogs and cats that chew it may get mouth pain, drooling, and vomiting, so keep it out of reach and consult a veterinarian (or a doctor, for a child) if eaten.
How often to water Wax begonia
- Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)
- Every 3 days
- The fleshy stems store water, so as a guide water thoroughly about one to two days after the topsoil dries; soggy soil rots the stems.
- Autumn (Oct–Nov)
- Every 4 days
- It flowers well in the cool; as a guide, water about two days after the topsoil dries.
- Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Every 7 days
- Indoors over winter, water sparingly a few days after the soil dries, as a guide.
Light and placement for Wax begonia
Sun to bright half shade is about right; midsummer sun scorches the leaves, so it generally moves to half shade in summer, while too little light means fewer flowers and leggy stems.
Overwintering Wax begonia
Overwintering guide: 5°C (41°F) or above
Tender to cold: as a guide, bring it to a bright window indoors when nights drop below about 10°C; it tolerates roughly 5°C with sparing water, and a cutback in autumn keeps it compact indoors.
Fertilizing and repotting Wax begonia
Fertilizer
From April to October, slow-release fertilizer about every two months or liquid feed about every two weeks is the usual guide; dilute it in midsummer and give none in winter.
When to repot
Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)
Common problems with Wax begonia
- Overwatering rots the stems from the base into mush.
- Rain and humidity in the rainy season or summer bring gray mold.
- Left outdoors, it dies at the first frost.
Tips for growing Wax begonia
- Removing spent flowers and dead leaves promptly limits rot and disease.
- Cut back leggy growth and it flowers again in a neat mound.
- Stem cuttings root easily in spring or autumn.
These are AI-generated general guidelines. They vary with the variety, the placement and the pot size. For effects on pets or children, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.
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