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