How to Grow Begonia Indoors: Rex vs Flowering, Leaf Cuttings
Water the soil, never the leaves: that one habit solves half the problems people hit when they learn how to grow begonia. Wet leaves in still indoor air invite powdery mildew and leaf spots, and begonias get both easily. Beyond that, the right care depends on which begonia you own, because a patterned rex begonia and a flowering wax begonia want quite different things.
Before you start
- Leaf begonias: rex begonias with silver, purple and spiral patterned leaves; grown for foliage
- Flowering begonias: wax (bedding) begonias, cane or “angel wing” types, and tuberous begonias
- Best window: east, or bright north; never hot direct sun
- Pot: shallow and modest, 5 to 7 inches (about 1.5 to 3 litres); roots are fine and shallow
- Mix: 2 parts potting soil, 1 part cocopeat or leaf mould, 1 part perlite
- Water: when the top inch dries, at the soil only
- Safety: listed as toxic to cats and dogs, especially the roots and tubers
Prefer to listen? This post as a 4 min video · Watch the video
Rex or flowering begonia: which do you have?
| Type | Grown for | Light | Main propagation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rex begonia | Patterned leaves | Bright shade | Leaf cuttings |
| Wax begonia | Small flowers, all season | Some morning sun | Stem cuttings, seed |
| Cane (angel wing) | Spotted leaves, hanging flowers | Bright indirect | Stem cuttings |
| Tuberous begonia | Large showy flowers | Partial shade | Stem cuttings, tuber division |
Rex types are the fussiest indoors. Wax begonias are the toughest and often sold in nursery trays for winter beds.
Which window suits begonia in a Pakistani flat?
An east window is the safe choice for every type: soft morning sun, bright afternoons. A north window suits rex begonias well and keeps their colours rich. Wax begonias flower more with a little morning sun, so put them on an east sill. Avoid west glass entirely between April and September, and keep south facing pots back from the glass in summer. Strong sun bleaches rex leaves and browns their edges within days.
By zone: Karachi’s humidity is ideal for begonias, indoors or on a shaded balcony. In Multan, Sukkur and Bahawalpur the dry heat from May to June is hard on them; keep them indoors, away from cooler drafts, grouped with other plants to share humidity. In Lahore, Faisalabad and Delhi, wax begonias make lovely winter and spring pots outdoors from October to April in light shade, but protect them on frost nights. Islamabad and Peshawar suit them in spring and autumn outdoors, indoors in winter. Hill homes grow them indoors or as summer balcony plants.
How often should you water begonia?
Water when the top inch of soil is dry, slowly at the base of the plant, until a little drains out. Empty the saucer. Begonia roots rot quickly in soggy mix, and the stems turn soft and translucent at the soil line when they do.
- March to June: every 3 to 6 days, depending on heat and pot size.
- July to September: every 5 to 7 days; humid air slows drying and raises mildew risk.
- October to February: every 7 to 12 days indoors.
The UF/IFAS factsheet on tuberous begonias warns that too much water or fertiliser makes flower buds drop, so err on the drier side. Our seasonal watering guide covers the finger test.
Raise humidity without wetting leaves
Instead of misting, which leaves water sitting on the leaves, stand the pot on a tray of pebbles with water just below the top of the pebbles. The water evaporates around the plant while the pot base stays out of it. Grouping three or four plants together does the same job. This is worth doing in Multan summers and in rooms with a heater in Islamabad winters.
What is the best soil for begonia?
Light, airy and slightly rich: 2 parts potting soil, 1 part cocopeat or leaf mould, 1 part perlite. Heavy clay soil stays wet and rots the fine roots. Our potting mix ratio guide has variations. Use shallow pots rather than deep ones. Feed flowering types with a half strength liquid feed every two to three weeks while flowering; rex begonias need only a monthly half strength feed in the warm months.
How do you propagate begonia?
Rex begonia from a leaf
- In spring or early autumn, cut a healthy mature leaf with about an inch of stalk.
- Turn it over and make small cuts across the main veins with a clean blade, about an inch apart.
- Lay the leaf face up on damp cocopeat and perlite in a shallow tray.
- Pin it flat with small stones or bent wire so the cut veins touch the mix.
- Cover loosely with clear plastic and keep in warm bright shade.
- Tiny plants form at the cuts over several weeks. Pot them up when they have a few leaves each.
You can also cut a leaf into wedges, each with a piece of main vein, and stand each wedge upright with the vein end in the mix.
Wax, cane and tuberous begonias from stems
Take a stem cutting about 3 inches long, cutting just below a node, remove the lower leaves, and root it in damp sand or cocopeat in shade. The UF factsheet notes tuberous begonia cuttings root in about five weeks at mild temperatures. Cane types also root in a glass of water. Spring and early autumn work best; June heat in the plains makes cuttings wilt and rot.
Why are begonia leaves turning yellow or brown?
| Sign | Likely cause | First fix |
|---|---|---|
| White powder on leaves | Powdery mildew | Remove worst leaves, improve air flow, water soil only |
| Yellow leaves, soft stem base | Overwatering, stem rot | Let dry, take healthy cuttings |
| Brown crispy edges | Dry air, sun, salty water | Pebble tray, shade, flush the pot |
| Flower buds dropping | Too much water or feed, moving the pot | Water less, keep it still |
| Brown spots with yellow rings | Leaf spot from wet leaves | Cut affected leaves, keep foliage dry |
| White fluff, sticky leaves | Mealybugs, whitefly | Wipe and spray mild soap |
For pests, our guide to pests in pots has food safe first steps. For mildew, remove affected leaves into the bin, not the compost, and space pots so air moves between them.
Begonias are listed by the ASPCA as toxic to cats and dogs. They contain soluble calcium oxalates, the underground parts are the most toxic, and chewing can cause vomiting and drooling. Keep pots out of reach of pets and crawling children, and never leave dug up tubers lying around. If a child chews a begonia and has mouth pain or swelling, rinse the mouth and call a doctor. Call a vet for a pet that drools heavily or vomits. If you use sulphur or any fungicide for mildew, read the label, wear gloves, spray outdoors, and keep children and pets away until dry. See our page on poisonous plants for kids and pets.
Grow it or skip it?
Grow wax begonias if you want easy colour for winter and spring pots in the plains. Grow rex begonias if you love foliage and have a bright north or east window plus a little humidity. Skip rex begonias in hot, dry Multan flats without a humidity plan, and skip all begonias at floor level with pets that chew. Begonias belong in pots and shaded beds here; none of them like open summer sun. More indoor choices in Phool aur Paudhe.
Begonia questions answered
How do you care for a begonia indoors?
Put it near an east or bright north window, water the soil when the top inch is dry, never wet the leaves, and give it good air flow. Rex begonias also like extra humidity from a pebble tray.
Can I propagate begonia from a leaf?
Yes, rex begonias root from leaves. Nick the veins on the underside, lay the leaf flat on damp mix, pin it down, and new plants form at the cuts over several weeks.
Can begonias take direct sun?
Wax begonias handle gentle morning sun. Rex and most other indoor types burn in direct summer sun. None like hot afternoon sun in the plains.
Why does my begonia have white powder on its leaves?
That is powdery mildew. Remove badly affected leaves, space plants for air flow, water only at the soil, and keep the plant in good light.
Should I mist my begonia?
Better not. Water on the leaves encourages mildew and spots. Use a pebble tray or group plants to raise humidity instead.
Are begonias poisonous to cats and dogs?
Yes, the ASPCA lists them as toxic, with the underground parts most toxic. Signs are vomiting and drooling. Keep them out of reach and call a vet if a pet chews one.
Why are my begonia flowers falling off?
Too much water or fertiliser, a cold draft, or moving the pot are the common causes. Water a little less and leave the plant in one place.
When can I plant begonias outside in Lahore?
Wax begonias go out in light shade from October onward and flower through spring. Protect them on frost nights in December and January, and move them to shade before the May heat.
How often should I fertilise begonias?
Flowering types: half strength liquid feed every two to three weeks while in bloom. Rex types: half strength once a month in the warm season. Feed less in winter.