Begonia thelmae

Begonia should be watered when the soil or pot feels dry, but don’t wait until the plant starts to wilt. You can cut back on water during their dormant period in the winter, watering only when the pot dries out. Humidity is crucial to keeping your begonia happy, however, spraying the leaves can lead to spotting. It’s better to cluster your plants, so they can create their own humid environment, or use a pebble tray.

Begonia is sensitive to temperature changes and to temperatures below about 60 degrees Fahrenheit (16 Celsius). You can keep them happy as houseplants or store them dormant over winter, as you would with other tender bulbs. These plants do require high humidity (more than 50 percent), which means it can be difficult to maintain begonias indoors over the winter.

You can feed your potted plants monthly with any good houseplant food. Too much food will make for a scraggly plant, so pay attention and adjust the feeding to suit your variety. Begonias can be temperamental and you just have to find the right conditions and balance for your plant. Don’t feed at all during the winter.

As old flowers are spent, pinch off the flowers to encourage new blooms to open. After the plant is done blooming, cut it back and let it dry out, then move it to a bright place and begin watering again when the weather warms up.