Growli

Overwintering guide

How to overwinter begonia 'merry christmas'

Verdict
Bring indoors
When
Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.
Hardiness
Begonia 'Merry Christmas' is hardy to roughly USDA zone 10 — winter lows around -1°C. That means it will not survive frost and needs to come inside.

Winter watering

Cut watering right back — begonia 'merry christmas' uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.

The mistake that kills begonia 'merry christmas' in winter

Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and begonia 'merry christmas' rots from the base.

More begonia 'merry christmas' care

Overwintering begonia 'merry christmas' — FAQ

Does begonia 'merry christmas' need to come indoors for winter?

Begonia 'Merry Christmas' is hardy to roughly USDA zone 10 — winter lows around -1°C. That means it will not survive frost and needs to come inside. Begonia 'Merry Christmas' is frost-tender, so overwintering means bringing it inside and letting it rest rather than pushing it to grow. Move it indoors well before the first frost, give it the brightest spot you have (light levels indoors drop sharply in winter), and keep it away from both cold window glass and hot radiators — the swing between the two does more damage than the cold itself.

When should I move begonia 'merry christmas' for winter?

Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.

How often should I water begonia 'merry christmas' in winter?

Cut watering right back — begonia 'merry christmas' uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.

What kills begonia 'merry christmas' over winter?

Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and begonia 'merry christmas' rots from the base.