Gardening Houseplants Types of Houseplants

How to Grow and Care for Wax Begonia Indoors

potted begonia plant

The Spruce / Kara Riley

Wax begonias (Begonia x semperflorens) are fibrous-rooted plants featuring a compact, bushy shape with flesh stems, dark green or bronze waxy leaves, and loose clusters of flowers that bloom through summer and into fall. While most people think of begonias exclusively as outdoor plants, they also make excellent indoor plants, where they become true perennials. Begonias are slow growers that take several months to mature to flowering plants. Because begonias are toxic to pets if ingested (especially the root system), they should be kept away from areas that pets frequent.

Common Name Wax begonia
Botanical Name Begonia x semperflorens-coltorum
Plant Type Herbaceous, Perennial
Toxicity Toxic to pets
closeup of begonias
The Spruce / Kara Riley
closeup of a begonia flower
The Spruce / Kara Riley
top view of begonias
The Spruce / Kara Riley

Can You Grow Wax Begonias Inside?

Wax begonias are not difficult plants to grow indoors, and they offer bright indoor color during their flowering season. Choose a spot with bright, indirect light near a window, avoiding north-facing windows that may not receive enough sun. This species reacts poorly to drought or extreme cold. Moderately rich, well-drained soil like a standard potting mix will allow these plants to thrive with little care.

How to Grow Wax Begonia Indoors

Sunlight

Bronze-leaved varieties of begonias tend to tolerate harsh sun a little better than the green-leaved varieties. When growing them indoors as potted plants, give wax begonias as much bright light as possible. East-, west-, or south-facing windows are best, as these exposures provide sufficient light.

Artificial Light

If you don't have enough windows available to provide indoor wax begonias with proper lighting, you can use artificial lights to encourage healthy growth. Opt for a light that includes a mix of warm and cool colors to aid both foliage and flower production. At least 8 to 10 hours per day under a grow light, spaced a few inches above the plant, can emulate the full to partial sun conditions that wax begonias need outdoors.

Temperature and Humidity

Wax begonias like average to warm temperatures. As with all begonias, they do not like cold drafts and cannot tolerate freezing, but will thrive in temperatures above 60 degrees. While these plants do well in humid outdoor conditions, indoor plants don't like especially high humidity, as it can encourage mildew on the leaves. During the winter, move your plant as needed to ensure it stays in warmer rooms. Misting the plant a few times a month may help prevent it from drying out during this season, but extra humidity is not necessary during the rest of the year.

Watering

Indoor wax begonias should be watered when the soil dries through the first 1/2 inch. Established plants require less water and can go a long time between waterings. When you do water, make sure it's a thorough watering, then let the pot drain completely. Do not let begonias sit in water, which encourages root rot.

Air Circulation

Wax begonias require good air circulation to grow well indoors. Place the plant near a fan to emulate an outdoor breeze. This is especially important after misting your begonias during dry seasons, as the sitting water can encourage fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

Feed indoor wax begonias with liquid fertilizer weekly at quarter strength or biweekly at half strength (base specific amounts on your fertilizer's instructions) during the growing season. Every third or fourth feeding, use a high phosphorous fertilizer.

Pruning and Maintenance

To keep your wax begonia looking vibrant, pinch off old blooms and keep the plant free of brown and old leaves. The ends of your plant's stems can also be trimmed every few weeks if it begins to have leggy growth, which will help new branches form for a fuller-looking plant.

Container and Size

Choose a pot that is slightly small compared to the size of your plant, opting for one size down from the reach of its foliage. A container with the same depth as its width will suffice. Wax begonias like to be a bit root-bound, and they won't require much repotting—once or perhaps twice in their lifetimes, at most. Because these plants require proper drainage, opt for a ceramic pot that allows excess water to escape, and ensure it has drainage holes on the bottom.

Potting Soil and Drainage

Use a general-purpose, peat-based potting mix to grow wax begonias. Soil amended with perlite will help your plant stay healthy and drain efficiently, like a standard potting mix from your local hardware store.

Potting and Repotting Wax Begonias

Grown indoors in pots, wax begonias will settle happily into being durable specimens that require little care. In most cases, it's better to take cuttings from older plants than to struggle with repotting and rehabilitating leggy specimens. If you do decide to repot your begonia, it's best to transplant it in the spring into a slightly larger pot with fresh, fast-draining, and richly organic potting soil.

Moving Wax Begonia Outdoors for the Summer

Many people move potted begonias out to the patio or deck for the summer. This allows your plant to receive plenty of sunlight and air circulation during the warm months of the year. Place the plant in a shady location for a week or two to help it get established.

Considerations

Wait until temperatures have consistently reached 60 degrees or above before bringing wax begonias outdoors for the growing season. Indoor plants will do best in partial sun, though after they've become acclimated to life outdoors, they can be moved to a brighter spot.

If your plant dries out quickly or its leaves begin to droop, turn yellow, or feel crispy, move it to a shadier area and increase waterings. Regular rainfall may also affect your begonia's watering needs: Check the soil's moisture regularly, and water when the top inch of soil feels dry.

When to Bring Wax Begonias Back Inside

Wax begonias should be brought back indoors once the weather cools in the fall, typically once nighttime temperatures drop below 60 degrees. Move the plant indoors slowly by placing it in a shadier spot than its usual location outside, then after a few days, bring it inside near a sunny window.

Reduce watering in winter when the plant is dormant. Before bringing plants inside for the winter, always check for pests. Debug outdoor specimens to prevent infestations from spreading to your other houseplants.

FAQ
  • How do you force wax begonias to bloom indoors?

    Indoor wax begonias are less likely to bloom in cooler temperatures, so keeping your plant in a room that stays above 70 to 75 degrees will aid flower production. Ensure your plants are receiving enough sunlight, and if natural light is not available, you can supplement it with an artificial grow light to encourage more blooms. Red light is best to stimulate the growth of flowers.

  • Is it easy to propagate wax begonias?

    Wax begonias propagate easily from leaf-tip cuttings, which are best to take in the spring. Take cuttings without blooms but at least two nodes, then bury them in the moist potting soil mix. Leave the cuttings in a warm, semi-shaded spot until new growth appears.

  • How do you grow wax begonias from seed?

    Wax begonias are almost exclusively F1 hybrids produced by large nurseries in huge quantities. These plants will not produce accurately from seed, so most gardeners propagate them by taking cuttings from the leaf tips.

  • What plant pests are common to wax begonias?

    Wax begonias—whether planted in the garden or as potted indoor plants—can be susceptible to powdery mildew, botrytis, and stem rot in humid conditions with poor air circulation. Common insect pests include mealybugs and thrips, which can be treated with insecticidal soap.

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  1. Begonia. American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.