Cold hardiness & minimum temperature

Is Hernando Begonia (Begonia hernandioides)cold hardy? Hardiness zone & min temp

Also called Hernando begonia, Philippine cliff begonia.

More about hernando begonia

About Hernando Begonia

Begonia hernandioides · also called Hernando begonia, Philippine cliff begonia · tropical

Begonia hernandioides is a fibrous-rooted tropical species endemic to Luzon in the Philippines, where it grows on shaded cliffs and boulders in moist ravines at low to medium elevations. It is adapted to warm, humid forest conditions with consistently indirect light, and is cultivated as a novelty houseplant or terrarium subject for its attractive foliage. Maintaining warmth above 18°C and high humidity are the two most critical care requirements for long-term success. Begonias are toxic to cats, dogs, and horses.

Cold limit: USDA 11-12 (indoor in most climates) · RHS H1a (18–28°C)

Watch for — Leaf browning at the edges: Brown leaf tips and margins are the most common symptom of insufficient humidity or cold draughts; move the plant away from air conditioning vents and raise ambient humidity.

What hernando begonia's hardiness rating actually means

Hernando Begonia is not cold hardy. It is a tropical houseplant that dies if it is left out through frost — there is no zone where it overwinters outdoors in a UK or cold-US climate. Its RHS rating of H1a means: Tropical — needs a heated room or greenhouse; no frost tolerance whatsoever. On the US scale that maps to USDA 11-12 (indoor in most climates) — the zones where it can be left outdoors year-round.

New to these scales? The USDA hardiness zone map explained covers how the zone numbers work, and you can find your own zone with the zone finder.

Minimum temperature — and what happens below it

Minimum survivable temperature is roughly above about 15 °C (warm, never cold). Hernando Begonia has no frost tolerance at all — it is an indoor plant in any climate with a real winter.

Concretely, for hernando begonia as it gets too cold:

Below about above about 15 °C, growth stalls and the leaves start to show cold stress — dark, water-soaked, or yellowing patches.
A single light frost blackens the foliage; a hard freeze kills the whole plant, roots included, and it does not recover.
Even a cold, draughty windowsill or an unheated porch in winter can be enough to damage it permanently.

Can hernando begonia go outside or overwinter — and where?

It can holiday outdoors in summer once nights are reliably above above 15 °C, in shade or dappled light, hardened off gradually.
Bring it back indoors well before the first autumn frost — do not wait for a frost warning, move it when nights drop toward 10-12 °C.
It will never overwinter outside in a temperate climate; the indoors is its winter home, full stop.

Work back from your local frost dates with the frost-date calculator: the last spring frost and first autumn frost are what really decide when hernando begonia can be outside. US growers can check USDA zones; UK growers should use the RHS hardiness ratings, which match the H1a figure above.

Hernando Begonia hardiness — frequently asked questions

Is hernando begonia cold hardy?

Hernando Begonia is not cold hardy. It is a tropical houseplant that dies if it is left out through frost — there is no zone where it overwinters outdoors in a UK or cold-US climate. Indoor-only in almost every home. Hernando Begonia can only live outside year-round in genuinely frost-free climates (roughly USDA 11-12 (indoor in most climates)); everywhere else it is a houseplant that summers out at most.

What is the minimum temperature hernando begonia can survive?

Minimum survivable temperature is roughly above about 15 °C (warm, never cold). Hernando Begonia has no frost tolerance at all — it is an indoor plant in any climate with a real winter.

What hardiness zone is hernando begonia?

Hernando Begonia is rated USDA 11-12 (indoor in most climates) and RHS H1a — Tropical — needs a heated room or greenhouse; no frost tolerance whatsoever.

Can hernando begonia survive winter outside?

It can holiday outdoors in summer once nights are reliably above above 15 °C, in shade or dappled light, hardened off gradually. Bring it back indoors well before the first autumn frost — do not wait for a frost warning, move it when nights drop toward 10-12 °C. It will never overwinter outside in a temperate climate; the indoors is its winter home, full stop.

What happens to hernando begonia below its minimum temperature?

Below about above about 15 °C, growth stalls and the leaves start to show cold stress — dark, water-soaked, or yellowing patches. A single light frost blackens the foliage; a hard freeze kills the whole plant, roots included, and it does not recover. Even a cold, draughty windowsill or an unheated porch in winter can be enough to damage it permanently.