Overwintering guide
How to overwinter polka dot begonia
Winter watering
Cut watering right back — polka dot 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 polka dot begonia in winter
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and polka dot begonia rots from the base.
More polka dot begonia care
- Overwintering polka dot begonia — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Overwintering polka dot begonia — our other guide for the same plant
- Full polka dot begonia care guide
- Polka Dot Begonia temperature range
- How often to water polka dot begonia
- How to prune polka dot begonia
- Common polka dot begonia problems & fixes
Overwintering polka dot begonia — FAQ
Does polka dot begonia need to come indoors for winter?
Polka Dot 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. Polka Dot 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 polka dot begonia for winter?
Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.
How often should I water polka dot begonia in winter?
Cut watering right back — polka dot 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 polka dot begonia over winter?
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and polka dot begonia rots from the base.