How to Rescue a Wilted Begonia

Identify the begonia. There are more than 10,000 cultivars, belonging to several different species, and not all their needs are the same. Examine the label for care instructions if there is such a label; otherwise consult an online guide or ask employees in a local garden center what kind of begonia you have.

Push a finger into the soil to determine moisture levels. If it is dry, fill the saucer with water, replenishing it as it is drawn into the pot. If the soil is very wet, the begonia might be overwatered. Either allow the soil to dry out before watering again, or transfer the plant to a new pot with drier soil.

Lift the leaves with a pencil to check for pests. Begonias are susceptible to fungus, which manifests as a powdery residue on leaves, and they're also vulnerable to insect attack. Treat any pests with the appropriate remedies; for example, treat aphids, whitefly or fungus gnats (whose larvae attack roots) with a solution of dishwashing liquid and water.

Examine the leaves to determine if the begonia is getting the right amount of light, and move it if it's not. If the leaves have brown patches, this could be a result of too much direct sunlight. If they are pale, the plant might not be getting enough light. In general, begonias do best where they receive plenty of natural light but not direct sunlight.