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