Introduction
Bringing the vibrant colors of your garden inside is one of the most rewarding ways to extend the joy of the growing season. If you have spent the summer admiring the lush foliage and jewel-toned blooms of your begonias, you will be happy to know that these versatile plants can indeed make the transition from the patio to the parlor. Whether you are growing them for their rose-like flowers or their swirling, metallic leaves, begonias are excellent candidates for indoor life.
At Longfield Gardens, we believe that gardening should be an accessible, year-round experience that brightens your home and your spirit. Bringing begonias indoors allows you to preserve your favorite varieties and enjoy their beauty even when the weather turns chilly. This guide is designed for home gardeners who want a simple, successful path to overwintering their plants without the stress of complicated botanical jargon.
We will cover how to identify which begonias are best suited for windowsills, the steps to safely move them inside, and how to keep them healthy until spring returns. By following a few basic principles, you can transform your favorite garden begonias into thriving houseplants. Transitioning your plants is a simple way to get more value and enjoyment out of every bulb and stem you plant.
Understanding Your Begonia Type
Before you bring your plants inside, it is helpful to know which type of begonia you are growing. While there are thousands of species, most home gardeners grow one of four main types. Each has a slightly different preference for how it spends the winter months.
Rex Begonias
These are the superstars of the foliage world. Rex begonias are grown primarily for their large, colorful leaves that often feature silver, purple, pink, and deep green patterns. Because they naturally grow on the forest floor in tropical regions, they are very comfortable in the lower light levels found inside a home. They do not go through a dormant period, so they will keep their leaves all winter long as long as they stay warm and humid.
Cane-Stemmed or Angel Wing Begonias
You can identify these by their tall, sturdy stems that look a bit like bamboo. Their leaves are often shaped like wings and frequently feature silver spots. These begonias are very tough and adapt quickly to indoor life. They can grow quite large, sometimes reaching several feet tall, making them a beautiful focal point in a bright room.
Wax Begonias (Bedding Begonias)
These are the classic "bedding plants" often found in garden borders. They have succulent-like, shiny leaves and small clusters of red, white, or pink flowers. While many people treat them as annuals and toss them at the end of the season, they actually make wonderful, compact houseplants. They are incredibly easy to transition and will often continue blooming throughout the winter.
Tuberous Begonias
These begonias grow from a thickened root called a tuber and produce some of the most spectacular, large flowers in the gardening world. Unlike the other types, tuberous begonias naturally want to take a nap during the winter. You can bring them inside as active plants for a short time, but they will eventually need to go dormant. We will discuss how to handle this natural rest period later in this guide.
Key Takeaway: Most begonias are tropical perennials, not annuals. This means they are designed to live for many years as long as they are protected from freezing temperatures.
The Best Time to Move Begonias Inside
Timing is everything when it comes to a successful transition. The most important rule is to bring your begonias indoors before the first frost. Most begonias are very sensitive to cold, and even a light frost can damage their leaves and stems.
A good rule of thumb is to start the moving process when nighttime temperatures begin to consistently drop below 50°F. If you wait until it is freezing outside, the sudden change from the cold air to a heated home can cause the plant to drop its leaves in shock. By moving them while the weather is still relatively mild, you give the plant a chance to acclimate to the indoor environment gradually.
If your begonias are currently planted in the ground, you will need to pot them up about two weeks before you plan to bring them inside. This gives the roots time to settle into their new container while they are still in their familiar outdoor environment.
Preparing Your Plants for Indoor Life
A little bit of preparation goes a long way in ensuring your begonias stay healthy once they cross the threshold. Follow these simple steps to make the move as smooth as possible.
Inspect for Garden Visitors
The most common challenge when bringing plants indoors is accidentally bringing along tiny insects like aphids or spider mites. Before moving your pots, give each plant a thorough inspection. Look at the undersides of the leaves and along the stems.
If you see any hitchhikers, you can usually wash them away with a gentle spray of water from a garden hose. For a more thorough cleaning, you can wipe the leaves with a soft, damp cloth. Taking the time to do this outdoors prevents pests from spreading to your other houseplants later.
Prune and Clean
Indoors, air doesn't move as much as it does outside. To help your begonia breathe, trim away any yellowing or damaged leaves. If the plant has become "leggy" (meaning the stems are long and thin with few leaves), you can prune it back by about a third. This encourages the plant to grow fuller and bushier once it settles in.
Refresh the Pot
If your begonia is already in a container, wipe down the outside of the pot to remove dirt and spiderwebs. Check the drainage holes to make sure they aren't clogged. Drainage simply refers to how fast water can leave the soil; begonias need the extra water to flow out freely so their roots don't stay too wet.
What to do next:
- Check the local weather forecast for nighttime lows.
- Purchase a high-quality, well-draining potting mix.
- Gather clean pots with drainage holes for any plants currently in the garden beds.
Creating the Ideal Indoor Environment
Once your begonias are inside, they need a spot that mimics their favorite outdoor conditions. You don't need a professional greenhouse to keep them happy—just a few specific adjustments to your living space.
Finding the Right Light
Most begonias prefer "bright, indirect light." In the garden, this is the kind of light they get under a leafy tree or on a covered porch. Indoors, an east-facing window is often the perfect spot. It provides gentle morning sun without the harsh, burning heat of the afternoon.
If you only have south-facing windows, which can be very bright and hot, place your begonias a few feet back from the glass or use a sheer curtain to filter the light. If the leaves start to look pale or the stems are reaching toward the window, the plant likely needs a bit more light.
Managing Humidity
One of the biggest differences between the outdoors and a heated home is humidity. Humidity is simply the amount of moisture in the air. Most begonias love moist air, but our heaters tend to dry it out during the winter.
You can easily boost humidity by creating a pebble tray. Fill a shallow tray with small stones and add water until it is just below the tops of the stones. Place your begonia pot on top of the stones. As the water evaporates, it creates a little pocket of humid air right around the plant. This is much more effective than misting the leaves, which can sometimes lead to fungal issues.
Keeping Temperatures Steady
Begonias like the same temperatures that people do—usually between 65°F and 75°F. Try to keep them away from cold drafts, such as near an entry door, and away from direct heat sources like radiators or fireplace mantels. Sudden changes in temperature can cause leaf drop, so a steady, cozy spot is best.
Watering Wisely Indoors
Watering is the most important part of indoor begonia care, and it is the area where most gardeners make mistakes. The goal is to keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy.
The Finger Test
Before you reach for the watering can, use the "finger test." Stick your finger about an inch into the soil. If it feels dry, it is time to water. If it still feels damp, wait another day or two. Begonias have succulent stems, which means they store some water inside themselves. They would much rather be a little bit dry than sitting in a puddle.
How to Water
When you water, pour it directly onto the soil rather than over the leaves. Getting the leaves wet can sometimes cause spots or mildew. Continue pouring until water starts to come out of the drainage holes at the bottom. This ensures that the entire root ball is getting a drink. Always empty the saucer under the pot after about 15 minutes so the plant isn't "sitting in wet feet."
Seasonal Adjustments
During the winter, plants grow more slowly because there is less sunlight. This means they won't need water as frequently as they did in July. Always check the soil first rather than watering on a strict schedule.
Key Takeaway: Consistent moisture is better than a flood-and-drought cycle. Aim for the consistency of a wrung-out sponge.
Winter Dormancy for Tuberous Begonias
As we mentioned earlier, tuberous begonias are the exception to the "evergreen houseplant" rule. If you notice your tuberous begonia's leaves starting to turn yellow and the stems falling over in late autumn, don't worry—the plant isn't failing. It is simply getting ready for its winter nap.
Helping the Plant Rest
When the plant starts to yellow, gradually stop watering it. Let the stems die back naturally. This process allows the energy from the leaves to go back down into the tuber, which stores that energy for next year's flowers. Once the stems are dry and brittle, you can gently pull them away or cut them off near the soil line.
Storing the Tubers
You have two choices for storage. You can leave the tuber in its pot and move the whole container to a cool, dark, dry place like a basement or a closet. Alternatively, you can gently dig the tuber out of the soil, brush off the dirt, and store it in a box of dry peat moss or sawdust.
Keep the tubers around 40°F to 50°F. They don't need any light or water until the spring. In February or March, you can bring them back into the light, give them a little water, and watch the new sprouts emerge.
Ongoing Maintenance and Care
While your begonias are living indoors, they won't need a lot of fuss. However, a little bit of grooming will keep them looking their best.
Feeding Your Begonias
Since begonias grow slowly during the winter, they don't need much fertilizer. You can skip feeding them entirely from November through February. Once you see new growth starting in the spring, you can begin using a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer at half the strength recommended on the label.
Pinching for Fullness
If your begonias start to look a little thin or "leggy," you can use your thumb and forefinger to "pinch" off the very tip of a stem. This tells the plant to stop growing longer and start growing wider by producing side branches. This is a simple trick to keep your plants looking lush and full.
Rotating Your Pots
Plants naturally grow toward the light. To keep your begonia from leaning too far in one direction, give the pot a quarter-turn every time you water it. This ensures that all sides of the plant get their fair share of sunshine and keeps the growth even.
Transitioning Back Outdoors in Spring
When the days grow longer and the danger of frost has passed, your begonias will be eager to get back outside. Just like when you moved them in, the move back out should be gradual.
Hardening Off
Don't move your plants from a dim living room directly into the bright sun. This can cause "sunscald," where the leaves turn white and crispy. Instead, place them in a shaded, protected spot for a few hours a day, gradually increasing their time outside over the course of a week. This process is called "hardening off."
Refreshing the Soil
Spring is a great time to give your begonias a fresh start. You can repot them into a slightly larger container with fresh potting soil. This provides new nutrients and plenty of room for the roots to expand during the peak growing season.
Common Questions and Simple Fixes
Even with the best care, you might notice a few changes in your begonias as they adapt to indoor life. Most of these are easy to fix with a small adjustment.
- Leaf Drop: It is very common for a begonia to drop a few leaves right after moving indoors. This is just the plant's way of adjusting to the new light levels. As long as there is new growth at the tips, the plant is doing fine.
- Crispy Leaf Edges: This is usually a sign that the air is too dry. Increase the humidity with a pebble tray or move the plant away from a heater vent.
- Yellow Leaves: Usually, this is a sign of overwatering. Make sure the top inch of soil is dry before you water again and ensure the pot isn't sitting in a saucer of water.
- Leggy Stems: This means the plant is "stretching" for more light. Move it to a brighter window or closer to the glass.
Conclusion
Bringing your begonia plants indoors is a rewarding way to enjoy your garden throughout the entire year. These plants are surprisingly resilient and adapt well to the comforts of home as long as you provide them with bright light, steady moisture, and a little extra humidity. Whether you are keeping a Rex begonia for its stunning foliage or saving a Wax begonia for its cheery flowers, the effort you put in now will pay off with a more beautiful home all winter long.
Our goal at Longfield Gardens is to help you find success with every plant you grow. Gardening doesn't have to be complicated to be beautiful. By paying attention to the simple needs of your plants—matching the right light to the right spot and watering with care—you can sustain a vibrant indoor garden that lasts until the spring thaw.
- Bring begonias in before the temperature drops below 50°F.
- Check for pests and prune away dead leaves before moving pots inside.
- Provide bright, indirect light and use a pebble tray for extra humidity.
- Allow tuberous begonias to go dormant if they show signs of slowing down.
Gardening is a journey that doesn't have to end when the first frost arrives. Take a moment today to choose your favorite begonia and prepare a sunny spot for it indoors; you will be glad you did when the winter snow begins to fall.
FAQ
Can I bring outdoor wax begonias inside for the winter?
Yes, wax begonias make excellent houseplants. Dig them up carefully, pot them in fresh potting soil, and place them in a bright window. They are very hardy and will often continue to bloom throughout the winter if they receive enough light.
Why are my begonia's leaves turning brown and crispy on the edges?
Crispy edges are usually a sign of low humidity or underwatering. Since indoor air is often dry during the winter, try placing your plant on a pebble tray filled with water or move it away from direct heat sources like radiators.
Do I need to fertilize my begonias while they are indoors?
It is best to stop fertilizing during the darkest months of winter (November through February). Because the plant is growing more slowly, it doesn't need the extra nutrients. Resume feeding in the spring when you see new leaves beginning to form.
Should I cut back my begonia before bringing it inside?
If your begonia has become very large or "leggy," you can prune it back by about one-third. This makes the plant easier to manage indoors and encourages it to grow new, thick foliage that is better adapted to the indoor light levels.
