Wax Leaf Begonia as a Houseplant

Location

• Plants grown indoors can tolerate direct sunlight for the entire day. A spot near a south-facing window that receives at least six hours of daily sunlight helps increase flowering. Although the plants can survive with lower light, they may not flower as profusely. The temperatures in most homes are fine for healthy growth, because wax leaf begonias tolerate a range of temperatures as long as they don't drop below freezing. Avoid setting pots near drafty windows or air vents that could cause temperature fluctuations or dry out the plants.

Water and Fertilizer

• Regular watering keeps potted begonias healthy, although they can tolerate some soil drying. For best growth, water the begonias when the top 1 inch of soil in the pot feels dry. Allow the excess water to drain from the bottom of the pot and into the drip tray. Empty the drip tray after watering because standing water can reabsorb into the soil and make it too wet. Wax leaf begonias also benefit from fertilizer during the summer. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of 24-8-16 fertilizer with 1 gallon of water and water the begonias with the solution every two weeks from spring through late summer. Check the directions on the fertilizer package as they vary among brands.

Pruning

• Weak, overly long stems are a common issue with all begonia varieties. Growing the plants indoors, where light is sometimes poor, can increase the problem. Fortunately, wax leaf begonias tolerate pruning well. Pinching back the stems to the topmost bud in spring increases bushiness and results in more flower buds. If the plant becomes leggy later in the season, you can prune back the overgrown stems, as needed, to maintain the plant's shape. Pinching or pruning will sometimes result in a new flush of flower buds.

Pests

• Wax leaf begonias rarely suffer from diseases when grown as houseplants. Fungal problems may occur if there isn't good air circulation around the plants. Prune out any infected leaves and avoid overhead watering to minimize the issue. Mites and mealybugs may also infest houseplants. Spraying the infected begonias with a ready-to-use insecticidal soap spray destroys the pests. The spray usually requires three applications, applied at three- to five-day intervals. When spraying the plants, make sure to target the undersides of the leaves where the pests tend to congregate.