Wax Begonia: Care Guide
Wax Begonias make great indoor and outdoor plants
The wax begonia is a very showy plant with many different varieties. It is most commonly grown as a houseplant, but it also makes an excellent container plant outdoors in warm climates. Wax begonias are easy to grow and maintain, and they require little attention once established. In this blog post, we will discuss the care of the wax begonia and how to handle common problems that may arise with them.
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Facts about Wax Begonia
Begonia semperflorens (part of the cultorum group) or more commonly known as the wax begonia or wax-leaf begonia have been cultivated for centuries. The wax begonia has been cultivated in Europe since 1885 but was not introduced into North America until 1918.
Wax begonias are a type of flowering plant that belongs to the family Begoniaceae and is native to Central America, Mexico, and Florida.
It's believed that the name "wax begonia" comes from its waxy leaves, which are covered with tiny hairs to help them retain water and resist dryness.
There are over 1,000 species of begonias with varying colors, shapes, sizes, and textures; some have leaves that resemble ferns while others have leaves that look like feathers or scales.
The wax begonia contains fibrous roots with compact leaves that are waxy in color, either dark green or bronze, and come in loose clusters of flowers. These flowers bloom all summer long until the fall comes around. They are often referred to as everblooming.
Wax leaf begonias are deer resistant and can grow to be as large as two feet tall.
Wax begonias can be grown indoors as houseplants or as annuals outdoors. Wax begonias can be grown as perennials in warmer climates (growing zones 10 and 11). Most people are familiar with them as outdoor plants as they are popular in landscaping as bedding plants.
They typically bloom in the summer and fall but can be kept in bloom by providing a cool environment during the winter. Wax begonia colors can range from red, pink, white to yellow. The only downside of wax begonias is that the blooms come off easily if touched or shaken while still wet.
Wax begonias are not as hardy plants meaning they cannot withstand freezing temperatures or frost. They need to be brought inside during cold climates unless you have an area that is protected from severe weather.
Wax Begonia Care
Caring for begonias is easy. Wax begonias can thrive with sunlight and consistent waterings. They do not need a lot of fertilizer and can survive with just water if it is an emergency situation.
The most important thing to know is that wax begonias cannot withstand freezing temperatures or frost. This makes them the perfect houseplant during winter in colder climates. Wax begonia care can vary depending on where you live and if you are keeping them indoors in containers, outdoors in the ground, or as potted plants. Here are some of the important factors you need to take into consideration when caring for your wax begonia.
Light
The begonias plant tends to like sunlight, but not too much direct sunlight. There are more heat-tolerant varieties and can handle more sun, but the best thing is to try and provide them with about half a day of sunlight. If your plant is getting too much sunlight it will start looking droopy.
If you are planting your wax begonia outdoors, the varieties that have bronze leaves can handle more sun. The green varieties do better with a little more shade or indoors.
If you are planting the wax begonia inside have it facing a window that is east, west, or south so that it will get the right amount of sun. If you aren't getting a ton of flowers, a simple solution would be to increase the amount of light or sun the plant is getting.
Water
Wax begonias like moist soil, but not wet or soggy soil. They enjoy a good drink of water on their leaves and the roots as well. Water your plant with about an inch of water every week if you are growing it outdoors or in containers. Wax begonias need to be watered regularly and watered often. To make sure your plant is getting enough water without having soggy roots or leaves that are sitting in a puddle of wet dirt, you can use a spray bottle to give the plant just a quick spritz.
Temperature
Wax begonia plants like a warmer environment. They grow best in temperatures that are between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit with overcast skies or cool morning sunlight--not too much direct sunlight. If you live in an area where your wax begonias experience high heat, then they will need to be watered more often than those who reside in cool climates.
Wax begonias will not tolerate frost or freezes. The best way to know if your plant is getting too cold is that it will start looking droopy and the leaves may turn a little blue-ish color. If you live in an area where temperatures get too cold you should move your plant indoors or cover it with a frost cloth to protect the roots.
Soil
Wax Begonias like soil that is rich in organic matter but also drains well. A mixture of peat moss, sand, and compost should work well as a soil additive for wax begonias in pots. If you are planting them directly into the ground without any container, use a potting mix with a high percentage of organic material such as humus, leaf mold, or manure. Adding mulch on top of the soil will also help keep moisture in place. Overall, wax begonias aren't too picky about their soil and will grow in most types of soils.
The garden should be prepared at the beginning of spring, to give wax begonias a long growing season. The best time is at least six weeks before the last frost date for your area. If you are planting during this time frame, pre-plant seedlings into sturdy containers or plant them directly into the ground with protection from cold winds (windbreaks).
Wax Begonia grow best when they are planted at a shallow depth to accommodate their fragile roots. If you have an established wax begonia, then plant it with its previous root ball or remove any excess potting mix from around that area. You want your plants’ roots not to be stressed and too constricted by the potting medium.
Humidity
If it is too humid, it will make the plants grow too quickly and they will become top-heavy. Too much moisture can also cause them to rot or mildew, so you need to take steps to remedy this issue:
-Try planting in a container with drainage holes at the bottom--this allows excess water to drain off.
-Add organic material like mulch around your plant's base for insulation from cold ground temperatures
-To increase humidity levels outdoors, set containers on bricks or boards that are elevated above ground level; cover the pots with clear plastic sheeting during extreme heat spells
Remember these simple tips when growing wax begonias now into fall!
Fertilizer
When it comes to feeding your wax begonias, the key is to not overfeed them because it can cause nutrient burn, making the leaves turn yellowish or brownish. And remember: If you're using store-bought soil for planting be sure that it doesn't contain any mycorrhizae fungi--they could cause root rot!
Some people feed their wax begonias with a weak liquid fertilizer mixed in water, once every two weeks. Others use an all-purpose plant food diluted at half strength.
Pruning
Pruning is a breeze when it comes to wax begonias. The good news is that they don't need a lot of pruning. You should probably expect to prune about once a month. To keep them in shape, simply snip off the tips with sharp shears after flowering and before new leaves emerge. Just watch out if they get leggy and floppy. If they're too tall, cut them back to the ground level and then just wait for new growth at the top of the stem.
It's also a good idea to remove any dead or diseased foliage. This will help prevent pest infestation which can lead to more damage in your wax begonia garden!
The easy to care for wax begonia can be grown indoors as houseplants or as annuals outdoors.
Repotting Wax Begonia
Beware: Wax begonias are one of the few plants that most people think need to be repotted every year. However, a well-dug-up wax begonia is likely to grow perfectly fine for years and years in its original pot! Wax begonias like to be a little pot-bound, so don't feel like they need to be put into a larger pot every year. Of course, it's still best not to let your wax begonias get really rootbound which can lead to their decline over time.
If you do want to repot your wax begonia plant, it best to do it in the spring when the plant is just starting to grow. Pick out a new container that is just large enough for it and make sure there is a drainage hole.
Winterizing Wax Begonia
If you live in a zone that experiences winter, your wax begonias will need to be brought indoors. They can't survive the cold outdoors! If possible, start by cutting back and removing any diseased foliage--this is critical as pest infestation can quickly become an issue with indoor plants. Then give them plenty of light (wax begonias love sunbeams) and water on a regular basis. Check for bugs such as spider mites first thing every morning so they don't have the opportunity to take hold on newly repotted plants.
Propagation
Wax begonia propagation may occur from either stem cuttings or by seed.
To propagate from stem cuttings you'll need to take a cutting from the plant. This should be done in the spring and summer months. To do this, take a clean sharp blade that is free of any sap or dirt and cut below the node where new leaves are beginning to grow. Don't use pruning shears as they can crush delicate tissues causing disease in your plant.
Cut the stem of a plant so it is about 4 inches long. Make sure it has two or more nodes. Cut off the lower leaves and dip in rooting hormone powder before planting it about 2 inches deep in a pot of soil. Keep the cutting moist and make sure that there is around 50% humidity to help promote rooting. Sometimes, people will cover the plant with a clear plastic bag to help maintain humidity. Within one to three weeks it should be rooted and ready for planting into larger pots or outdoors. Begonias are ready when they develop roots.
You can also propagate from seed but it is more complicated and difficult due to temperature and moisture requirements. In addition, wax begonia seeds are slow to germinate.
I would recommend if you want to propagate, the easiest way to do it is from cuttings.
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Common Problems
Like any type of flower, wax begonias are susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases.
Pests
The good news is that wax begonias are more resistant to pests than other begonia types. This is due in part to the waxier leaves, and also because they’re grown more often indoors where there are fewer pests that can get at them.
Some pests that are commonly seen on wax begonias are spider mites and aphids, whiteflies, scales, mealybugs, and thrips. If an infestation occurs it can cause deformity and discoloration of the leaves.
Insecticidal soap can be effective in treating these pests.
Diseases
The most common diseases wax begonias may face are leaf spot, powdery mildew, botrytis, and stem rot.
Leaf spot is characterized by the appearance of dark brown lesions on leaves. Leaf spot is caused by fungi and is spread by wind, rain or contact with other infected plants.
Powdery mildew can be identified by a white, dusty appearance on the leaves and stems of plants. Powdery mildew is caused by high humidity levels, lack of air circulation, and warm temperatures.
Botrytis or referred to as a gray mold is another common disease wax begonias may face. If your plant is infected it needs to be removed immediately to stop the spread.
Stem rot occurs when the plant is overwatered or allowed to stay wet for too long. Stem rot can be spotted by drooping leaves and wilting stems. This disease typically strikes plants that are already struggling due to improper watering or fertilizing practices.
The best way to prevent these problems is by providing your wax begonia with good light levels, let the soil dry out between waterings, and make sure to water below the leaves.
Toxic to Animals
Wax begonias can be toxic to animals due to the presence of calcium oxalates in the plant's roots. It can cause vomiting and kidney failure in animals.
It's isn't thought to be harmful to humans. But it would probably be best to plant wax begonias in an area inaccessible to pets or children.
Wax Begonia Varieties
There are a few varieties of wax begonia that you can grow in your garden, but some of the more popular options include:
Super Olympia - a variety that is easy to grow, flowers early and has large blooms that are red, white, or pink.
Paint Splash Pink -the leaves are green with splashes of cream-colored spots and dots. They have pale pink flowers.
Varsity- grows well in pots and has large red, pink, or white flowers.
Victory- has large flowers that are red, pink, or white and it has green leaves.
Cocktail- These are dwarf size and are 6 to 8 inches tall. Their leaves are bronze colored.
Queen- These are double flowering and can be pink, white, or red in color.
Ambassador- flower early, have green foliage and have blooms that are red, white or pink. Are more compact than other varieties.
Coco- have rounded glossy bronze foliage and showy flowers
Wax Begonia Care Cheat Sheet
Here is the necessary information you need to know when caring for a begonia.
Scientific Name- Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum
Light -Wax begonias thrive in bright, indirect light. Several varieties can tolerate full sun for a few hours per day.
Watering- likes consistently moist soil, but is fairly drought tolerant.
Temperature- The ideal temperature is 60ºF - 75ºF.
Soil- is rich in organic matter but also drains well. A mixture of peat moss, sand, and compost should work well as a soil additive for wax begonias in pots.
Humidity-Wax begonias prefer humidity levels of 40-60%.
Fertilizer-Wax begonias have low fertilizer requirements. Use a weak liquid fertilizer mixed in water, once every two weeks. Others use an all-purpose plant food diluted at half strength.
Pruning- Don't need a lot of pruning. Remove any dead or diseased foliage and cut the plant back if it gets too tall and leggy.
Propagation - The best method is to be grown from stem cuttings.
Re-Potting- Doesn't need to be replanted often, only once it is rootbound. It likes to be a little pot-bound.
Pests -Fairly pest resistant, but spider mites and aphids, whiteflies, scales, mealybugs, and thrips are attracted to them.
Diseases- they can develop fungal diseases like powdery mildew, leaf spot, Botrytis, and stem rot can occur due to damp, humid conditions. To reduce the chance of disease problems, plants should be grown in a well-ventilated area.
Toxicity- Can be toxic to pets.
Care Tips for Wax Begonias
Begonia plants are some of the most popular houseplants but they can also be beautiful annuals outdoors too! They come in a variety of colors and shapes, and they're easy to care for. Wax begonias are one type that is especially eye-catching with their beautiful wax-like leaves.
