Begonia Soil & Plant Care Guide

Begonias are perennial succulents from tropical climates found in Central America, South Asia, and Africa. 

According to the American Begonia Society, this tropical plant has 2,050+  species that fall under four main types:

• Fibrous begonia (wax begonia, bedding begonias): Fibrous wax begonias have beautiful flowers with green or bronze foliage. Wax begonias are durable and ever-blooming plants.
  
• Cane begonia (angel wing begonia, polka dot begonia): Cane begonia is a sturdy plant with pointy teardrop leaves, similar to the spotted begonia variety — polka dot begonia (Begonia maculata.) These plants typically have small pink, red, or white flowers.
  
• Tuberous begonia: The tuberous begonia variety (grown as annuals) has large tropical-hued flowers.
  
• Rhizomatous begonia (rex begonia): Rhizomatous begonia has showy foliage with fuzzy, colorful leaves.

We’ll explore everything you should know about nurturing this tropical plant:

1. The Best Begonia Potting Mix

A begonia plant needs:

• Well-draining soil mix to avoid root rot or stem rot.
  
• Nutrient-rich soil (with compost or leaf mold) for essential nutrients.
  
• Airy potting mix (with biochar or orchid bark) to help the roots breathe.  

Wondering which soil fits these requirements?

Rosy’s begonia soil! It’s perfect for any houseplant, whether bedding begonias or rhizomatous begonias.

2. How to Grow a Begonia Plant

Follow our begonia care tips to grow healthy plants:

• Begonias don’t require a lot of soil, so use a pot that looks small for the begonia’s size.
  
• Grow your indoor plant from a begonia tuber (bulbous modified stems) in a small pot.
  
• Plant begonia tubers or rhizomes 1 foot apart in flower beds and closer together in hanging baskets.
  
• Apply organic liquid fertilizer on the begonia tuber or plant to promote growth.
  
• Keep growing begonias indoors, away from direct sunlight during the growing season (spring). However, begonia varieties need partial shade or soft light to develop full blooms.
  
• Avoid watering your growing begonias with cold or tap water (it’s high in minerals). Instead, use distilled water.
• Water the edges of the tuber only when the potting mix is dry. Overwatering or soggy soil can cause root rot and fungal diseases, like stem rot or powdery mildew on the leaf and flower.
  
• Want to increase humidity for your indoor plant? Use a humidifier and watch your rex begonia or other varieties flourish.
• Avoid misting your begonia to prevent powdery mildew on leaves. Use a fungicide if mildew occurs.  
• Begonia care includes dealing with common pests like mealybugs and white flies. Use insecticide soaps, neem oil, or rubbing alcohol to deal with these common pests.

3. Begonia Propagation

You can grow begonias from pre-purchased seeds, tubers, rhizomes, or roots.

But for begonia propagation, use a stem or leaf cutting. 

Here’s how:

1. Take a leaf cutting or stem cutting and root it in water before transferring it to soil. Keep the container in partial shade (away from direct sun).
   
2. Alternatively, directly plant the cutting in a pot filled with Rosy soil and keep it away from direct sunlight.