Weeping begonias are popular flowering plants known for their elegant, cascading blooms that bring vibrant color to various garden settings. They are an excellent choice for containers and hanging baskets, adding grace and continuous floral display. Their abundant flowers and attractive foliage create visually appealing focal points.
Understanding Weeping Begonias
Weeping begonias are characterized by their trailing or cascading growth habit, with stems gracefully draping over container sides. Popular varieties, like ‘Bonfire’ or ‘Santa Cruz’ series, derive from Begonia boliviensis, featuring slender, pointed leaves and trumpet-like flowers. Their blossoms come in a wide array of colors, including red, orange, pink, white, and yellow, often appearing as large, sometimes double, flowers 2 to 5 inches across. Though technically tender perennials grown from tubers, they are typically cultivated as annuals in cooler climates due to frost sensitivity.
Essential Care for Thriving Weeping Begonias
Light Needs
Weeping begonias thrive in bright, indirect light. An ideal location offers filtered sunlight, such as under a high tree canopy, or morning sun from an east-facing window. Direct, intense afternoon sun can scorch delicate leaves and fade flower colors, indicating too much light exposure. Conversely, insufficient light leads to leggy growth with fewer blooms, as the plant stretches for a brighter source.
Watering Practices
Consistent soil moisture benefits weeping begonias, but they should never be waterlogged, which can lead to root rot. Water when the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch, allowing excess water to drain completely. Watering at the plant’s base, rather than overhead, minimizes the risk of fungal diseases on foliage. Container-grown begonias may require more frequent watering, especially during warmer periods, compared to those in garden beds.
Soil Requirements
Weeping begonias prefer a well-draining, rich, and light potting medium. A peat-based commercial potting mix is suitable, as it retains moisture while allowing for proper drainage. The soil pH should be slightly acidic, ranging from 5.5 to 6.5, to support optimal nutrient uptake. Good drainage prevents water from pooling around the roots.
Feeding Your Begonias
During their active growing season in spring and summer, weeping begonias benefit from regular fertilization to support continuous, abundant blooming. A balanced liquid fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 or 10-20-10 N-P-K ratio, applied every two to four weeks, provides necessary nutrients. For container-grown plants, a weak solution applied every other week is effective. Reducing or ceasing fertilization in the fall prepares the plant for dormancy.
Temperature and Humidity
Weeping begonias are tropical plants that flourish in warm, humid environments, ideally between 65°F and 75°F (18°C to 24°C). They are sensitive to cold temperatures, not tolerating below 55°F (13°C), and are susceptible to frost damage. Maintaining moderate to high humidity, especially for indoor plants, can be achieved by misting or placing a humidifier nearby to prevent leaf drying.
Planting and Seasonal Maintenance
Getting Started
Weeping begonias can be planted from tubers or as nursery plants after the last spring frost when soil temperatures are consistently warm. When planting tubers, orient them with the hollow, indented side facing upwards, covering them with about an inch of soil. Spacing tubers about a foot apart in garden beds, or closer in hanging baskets, allows for optimal growth and display.
Encouraging More Blooms
To promote continuous blooming, deadhead spent flowers regularly. This directs the plant’s energy toward producing new blossoms rather than forming seeds. Light pruning, such as pinching back stem tips, encourages a fuller, bushier plant by stimulating new side growth. Removing any dead or yellowing leaves also maintains plant health and appearance.
Winterizing Your Begonias
In colder climates where temperatures drop below freezing, weeping begonia tubers need to be lifted and stored for winter. After the first frost causes foliage to die back, carefully dig up the tubers. Allow them to dry for a few days in a cool, dry place, then clean off any remaining soil and trim dried stems. Store tubers in a cool, dark, dry location, such as peat moss or sawdust, until the following spring.
Addressing Common Issues
A lack of blooms can indicate insufficient light or nutrient deficiency, suggesting a need to adjust lighting or fertilizing. Yellowing leaves frequently point to overwatering or a nutrient imbalance, particularly nitrogen deficiency; proper watering and drainage often resolve this. Pests like spider mites and aphids may infest weeping begonias, appearing on leaf undersides or causing distorted growth. Early detection and control methods such as horticultural oil or insecticidal soap can manage these pests. Fungal diseases like powdery mildew or botrytis blight can manifest as white powdery patches or gray mold on leaves and flowers, especially with poor air circulation or excessive foliage moisture. Improving air circulation and avoiding overhead watering helps prevent these issues.