Begonia Houseplants – Viet Nam Agriculture

For a bright contrast to the usual green houseplant, try a begonia. Many blooming varieties of begonias make great houseplants that can provide cheerful color during their active growth. Most flowering begonias need a bit more care than the average houseplant, but reward growers with showy, beautiful plants that make the work worthwhile.

Wax begonia, which is familiar to many as a bedding plant for flower beds, also makes a lovely houseplant. The dark green leaves and small colorful flowers will brighten any room.

Wax begonias like high light, but not too much water — allow soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Misting daily provides the humidity these plants like. Cooler temperatures, even into the 50s at night, suit wax begonias best. Feed every few weeks with a dilute fertilizer solution for blooming plants.

The reiger begonia’s small, rose-like blooms appear in fall, adding color to otherwise dreary days throughout the winter.

Reiger begonias like lots of light in the winter, but tolerate indirect light the rest of the year. While blooming, keep the soil moist, but allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings when dormant. Feed monthly with dilute solution for blooming plants.

When buds begin to form during the fall, give the reiger begonia 10 hours of sunlight, but keep it out of light after dusk in order to promote blooming.

The pairs of dark green, wing-shaped leaves that give the angel-wing begonia its name are crowned with clusters of flowers in bright colors.

The angel-wing begonia thrives in medium light and likes humidity, so mist often. Allow soil to dry out between thorough waterings, as overwatering can cause leaves to drop. Although the angel-wing begonia does well in average temperatures, provide cooler temperatures — low-to-mid 60s — during the fall and winter when the plant is dormant. Feed every two weeks with a dilute solution for blooming plants.

Although the rex begonia does not produce flowers, its leaves splashed with purple and red make it a colorful houseplant nonetheless.

The rex begonia likes medium light, average temperatures, and moist soil when actively growing. When the plant goes dormant in the fall, move it to cool dark spot until February, and water sparingly until after February. Feed every two weeks with a dilute solution for houseplants.