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Begonia plants, regardless of type, cannot withstand freezing cold temperatures and require appropriate winter care. Overwintering a begonia isnt always necessary in warmer environments, as winters are generally less severe. However, to ensure proper begonia care, you should be wintering over begonias as houseplants indoors if you live in areas prone to freezing temperatures.
Tuberous begonias are popular garden flowers that produce beautiful, bright blooms throughout the summer. However, they are not cold hardy and require special care to survive through the winter in cold climates. By properly wintering over the tubers, you can save them to replant again next year. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to successfully overwinter your tuberous begonias.
When to Begin Wintering Over Tuberous Begonias
The process of wintering over tuberous begonias should begin in early fall, before the first frost hits. Here are some tips on when to start
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If you live in an area with a defined fall frost date, start the wintering over process about 1-2 weeks before the average first frost.
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If you don’t get frost, begin when the plants start to show signs of decline, like wilting, browning, or leaf drop.
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For potted plants, bring them inside once nighttime temps fall below 50°F. Plants in the ground will need to be dug up.
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Allow the plants to die back naturally after the first light frost. Once they are blackened by frost, it’s time to move to the next steps.
Digging Up and Removing Foliage
After the begonias have been blackened by a light frost, it’s time to dig them up:
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Carefully dig up each plant, keeping the root ball and soil intact.
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Use pruners to cut off the foliage and stems down to about 1 inch above the soil line.
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Remove any loose or excess soil from the root ball.
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Discard all above ground growth, leaving only the soil-covered tubers.
Curing and Drying the Tubers
After digging up the tubers, they need to be cured and dried:
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Spread out the tuber clumps on newspaper in a sunny location. Allow to dry for 1-2 weeks.
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Once dried, gently remove any remaining roots or foliage. Shake off any loose soil.
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Dust the tubers with sulfur powder to prevent rot and fungus.
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Pack the tubers loosely in sawdust, peat moss, vermiculite, or cardboard boxes for storage.
Storing Tubers Over the Winter
Proper storage conditions are vital for overwintering tuberous begonias successfully:
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Store the tubers in a cool area between 40-50°F. The temperature should not go below freezing.
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Choose a dark, dry spot for storage, like a basement, garage, or root cellar.
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Avoid storage areas that get too warm, which can cause early sprouting.
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Check regularly over winter. Discard any tubers that are diseased or rotting.
Planting Tubers in Spring
In early spring, you can begin the process of planting the overwintered tubers:
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In late winter or early spring, move tubers to a warmer spot to initiate new growth.
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Plant the tubers sprout-side up in rich, well-draining potting mix once the sprouts emerge.
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Keep them in a sunny indoor area, around 70°F until all danger of frost has passed.
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Gradually acclimate them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days before moving outside permanently.
Tips for Overwintering Success
Follow these tips to successfully overwinter your tuberous begonias:
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Select a variety suited to overwintering when buying tubers. Doubles and fringed varieties may not store as well.
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Make sure tubers are completely dry before storage. Any moisture can lead to rot.
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Use sulfur powder and dry storage mediums to prevent fungal or bacterial rot issues.
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Check regularly over winter and remove any diseased or damaged tubers.
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Repot in fresh, sterile potting mix in spring to prevent disease carryover.
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Move tubers outdoors gradually in spring to prevent transplant shock.
By carefully following these steps for digging, drying, storing, and replanting your tuberous begonias, you can save them to enjoy their beautiful blooms year after year. With a little diligence and care, you’ll be rewarded with thriving, hardy begonia plants.
How to Overwinter Different Types of Begonias
There are three main types of begonias: tuberous, wax, and foliage. How you go about wintering begonias will depend significantly upon the type being grown, so make sure you know which type you have before going forward.
Tuberous begonia winter care is relatively simple. Each plant should be allowed to die back naturally after the first frost. Next, dig up the tubers and remove the stems and leaves down to the crown. Any loose soil should also be removed in preparation for a brief curing period that lasts approximately two weeks.
Spread begonia clumps on newspaper and leave them in a sunny area until thoroughly dry — about a week. Once they have sufficiently dried, cut away any remaining foliage and gently shake off excess soil.
At this time, the tubers can be moved to storage. To prevent problems with fungus or powdery mildew while overwintering begonias, dust them with sulfur powder prior to storage. Experienced growers suggest packing each of the tubers into a cardboard box or paper bag thats been filled with sawdust or vermiculite. Begonias will overwinter best in a cool, dark, dry location, remaining frost-free throughout winter.
Some begonias can simply be brought indoors prior to the onset of cold weather for continual growth, such as with wax begonias. Since these plants dont have a period of dormancy, pots and containers will need to be moved inside before any chance of frost. If they’re in the ground, they can be carefully transplanted into containers first before being brought indoors. A high-quality potting mix will be essential, as begonias require rich soil with good drainage.Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
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Before bringing a wax begonia indoors, however, be sure to treat it for insect pests or powdery mildew first. This inspection can be done by spraying plants or gently washing them with warm water and bleach-free dish soap.
Since bringing wax begonias indoors can cause plant stress, leading to leaf drop, it often helps to acclimate them beforehand. Move the begonias to a more shady area with partial sun for a week or two, then start bringing the plants inside for a couple of days out of the week. Finally, you can situate your wax begonias near a bright window, where they are able to receive ample indirect light.
This type of begonia generally refers to those that have especially interesting or attractive foliage. Many of these species are evergreen within their native range, but can be grown annually in the home garden. Foliage begonias will require special care in winter. Experienced growers suggest bringing the plants indoors before the arrival of frost late in the season. Just like wax begonias, slowly acclimate your begonias to indoor lighting. Foliage begonias should be kept near a bright window and safely away from cold drafts or heating vents.
When to Overwinter Begonias
The process of preparing the plants for winter generally begins in early fall. Tender species can be overwintered indoors as houseplants. Others may be allowed to die back naturally before the storage process can start. Learning how to overwinter begonias properly will be vital in ensuring you can enjoy your favorite varieties for seasons to come.
How to Overwinter Tuberous Begonias || Quick & Easy Guide
FAQ
How do you prepare tuberous begonias for winter?
Put the tubers on screen trays or pack them in dry peat, sawdust, sand or other insulating material. Store tubers in a dry, dark, cool (above freezing) area. In the spring, start begonia plants by placing the tubers on damp potting soil in a warm environment.
Can you leave tuberous begonias in pots over winter?
As stated above, if they are in pots they can be stored right in the pots by either tipping the pots on their sides or storing them in a cool, dry, dark area where they will not get wet. Follow the cold area directions for tubers that are dug out of beds.
When should I dig up begonia tubers?
Dig begonia tubers when the foliage starts to yellow, or after the first killing frost. Cut the stems to about five inches, and allow tubers to cure (dry) indoors at room temperature, out of direct sunlight, until the remaining stem pieces are dry and loose.
How cold can tuberous begonias tolerate?
Tuberous begonias are sensitive to cold and should not be put outdoors until the nights are above 50°F. For earlier blooms, start your begonias indoors, eight weeks before the last frost date. Plant the tubers 1” deep in moist growing mix and water sparingly.