Overwintering guide
How to overwinter begonia 'orange rubra'
Winter watering
Cut watering right back — begonia 'orange rubra' 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 'orange rubra' in winter
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and begonia 'orange rubra' rots from the base.
More begonia 'orange rubra' care
Overwintering begonia 'orange rubra' — FAQ
Does begonia 'orange rubra' need to come indoors for winter?
Begonia 'Orange Rubra' 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 'Orange Rubra' 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 'orange rubra' for winter?
Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.
How often should I water begonia 'orange rubra' in winter?
Cut watering right back — begonia 'orange rubra' 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 'orange rubra' over winter?
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and begonia 'orange rubra' rots from the base.