Overwintering guide
How to overwinter eyelash begonia
Winter watering
Cut watering right back — eyelash begonia 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 eyelash begonia in winter
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and eyelash begonia rots from the base.
More eyelash begonia care
- Overwintering eyelash begonia — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Overwintering eyelash begonia — our other guide for the same plant
- Full eyelash begonia care guide
- Eyelash Begonia temperature range
- How often to water eyelash begonia
- How to prune eyelash begonia
- Common eyelash begonia problems & fixes
Overwintering eyelash begonia — FAQ
Does eyelash begonia need to come indoors for winter?
Eyelash Begonia is hardy to roughly USDA zone 10 — winter lows around -1°C. That means it will not survive frost and needs to come inside. Eyelash Begonia 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 eyelash begonia for winter?
Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.
How often should I water eyelash begonia in winter?
Cut watering right back — eyelash begonia uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.
What kills eyelash begonia over winter?
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and eyelash begonia rots from the base.