This article was prepared with the support of UFL flower delivery. Begonias are among the most popular plants for homes, balconies and gardens. The genus has about 2,000 species and thousands of hybrids. It's named after Michel Bégon, a French governor and patron of botany, and begonias have been cultivated for over 300 years. If your begonia is growing but not flowering, it's probably missing one of the conditions below.
Begonias are divided into foliage types (rex begonia, iron cross begonia), grown for their patterned leaves and modest flowers, and flowering types — which this article is about:
Flowering begonias need 10–12 hours of bright, indirect light a day: an east or west window, or a south window with midday shade. A grow light helps in winter. In shade the plant stretches and doesn't set buds.
Ideally 18–22 °C in summer and no lower than 15 °C in winter. Cold glass, an open window or a nearby radiator stress the plant and it drops its buds. Don't move the pot while it's budding and don't water with cold water.
Begonias come from the humid tropics of South America, Asia and Africa and need 50–60% humidity. Don't mist the leaves — they'll spot. Instead, stand the pot on a tray of wet pebbles (without the base touching the water), place a bowl of water nearby or use a humidifier.
Begonia roots rot easily. Water with soft, room-temperature water once the top 1–2 cm of compost is dry, and empty the saucer. Drainage at the bottom of the pot is essential.
Too much nitrogen gives lush leaves but no flowers. Once buds appear, feed every 2 weeks with a flowering-plant fertiliser high in potassium and phosphorus.
In a large pot a begonia puts its energy into roots first. Choose a pot only 2–3 cm wider than the root ball and a light, slightly acidic mix for begonias or African violets. Repot every spring.
Tuberous begonias need a winter rest: reduce watering in autumn, cut off dead stems and store the tubers at 10–12 °C until spring. Elatior begonias are exhausted after 1–2 years of heavy flowering — renew them from cuttings.
Aphids, spider mites, whitefly and powdery mildew weaken the plant. Check the undersides of leaves regularly and treat with an insecticide or fungicide if needed.
Elatior and wax begonias bloom for several months in a row; tuberous begonias from June until autumn.
Dry air, overwatering, draughts or moving the pot while it's budding.
Yes — remove spent flowers and pinch out leggy shoots to encourage new blooms.
Want a flowering plant without the fuss? Choose a begonia or other potted plants with delivery from UFL.
Author: Maria Svitlovir
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
© Kyiv 2026 UFL Flower Shop
Trademark UFL №191476 is used under license of the rights holder.
All rights reserved. Any use of materials without a link to the site is prohibited.
Birthday
Hydrangeas
