Double-Flowered Begonia

Water the begonia moderately, ensuring the soil is evenly moist. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out before re-watering. Avoid over-watering and make sure the fertilizer is flushed out from the soil once every two weeks. Do not let the soil dry out completely for longer than a few days otherwise the plant will start to show signs of distress. If the leaves start to curl, then it's a sign that the begonia isn't getting enough water.

Double-Flowered Begonia need bright indirect sunlight. Place the plant near a brightly lit window that doesn't get direct sunlight. Avoid placing the Begonia at any drafty windows as cold drafts will ruin its foliage and flowers. If placed in a room without much natural light, you can use a full spectrum fluorescent light about 12 inches above the plant to help it thrive, but be sure to not leave the bulb on for too long as the Begonia cannot tolerate extended light duration.

The Double-Flowered Begonia prefers slightly warm temperatures ranging from 60-70°F (15-21°C). In colder months, you will want to move the plant further away from the window and make sure the glass you're using isn't too cold. Keep in mind that extreme temperatures can shock the plant and cause it to drop foliage or blooms.

The Double-Flowered Begonia thrives better in humid environments as compared to arid ones. The ideal range of humidity should be between 40-60%. If your home humidity is lower than this range, try using a humidifier or mist the Double-Flowered Begonia several times a week for best results. You can also fill a shallow tray with gravel and water to provide extra humidity, just make sure the pot isn’t sitting in the water.

The Double-Flowered Begonia needs a soil-based potting mix that is well draining to thrive. A mix of equal parts potting soil, perlite or aged compost, and peat moss is ideal. You can also use a soil-less mix (a mix of peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite). Add a little bit of fertilizer and ensure the soil pH is between 6.0-6.5.

Fertilize begonias regularly during spring and summer when they are actively growing with a houseplant fertilizer at half the strength recommended on the label. Always avoid over-fertilizing as this could lead to burning the plant. For best results, use a well-balanced, water-soluble fertilizer that works best for flowering plants, such as one with a ratio of 15-30-15 or 10-10-10.

The Double-Flowered Begonia is a hardy plant, however it can still be prone to attack from common houseplant pests such as aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, thrips, and whiteflies. To get rid of these pests, manually remove them with a soft cloth or cotton swab dipped in soapy water. You can also use insecticidal soaps and neem oil to control them. Always make sure to follow the directions on the label and apply the treatment only in well-ventilated environments to avoid the fumes.

Repotting the Double-Flowered Begonia should be done every 12-18 months, usually in early spring. When repotting to a larger pot, make sure the plant still has plenty of room but isn’t sitting in a pot that is too large. Choose a pot with a drainage hole and use a soil-based potting mix for best results. This will allow good air circulation and help the soil to drain quickly.

Pruning the Double-Flowered Begonia should be done in early spring, around the same time you repot the plant. Remove any dead leaves or blooms and you can also prune the stems and leggy growth by cutting just above the leaf nodes. This will encourage new growth and new blooms to appear sooner in the next flowering season.

Mulching is optional but helps to retain moisture and regulate the soil temperature. Place a thin layer of mulch around the base of the pot. Good mulching materials include leaf mold, dried grass clippings, cocoa hulls, and shredded bark.

The Double-Flowered Begonia can be propagated through division, stem tip cuttings, or leaf cuttings. To propagate through division, remove the plant from its pot and separate the rosette into pieces. Make sure the pieces have roots and replant. To propagate through stem tip cuttings, cut about 3 inches off the top of a stem and remove the leaves from the bottom inch. Place the cuttings in a jar of water until the roots start to form. To propagate through leaf cuttings, place the leaf in a shallow container of moist potting soil.

The Double-Flowered Begonia may become leggy in time and in need of a support stake. Place the stake in the pot next to the stem and gently wrap soft garden ties around the stake and stem, being careful not to damage the stem or foliage.

In winter, the Double-Flowered Begonia will enter a rest period when growth slows and flowering stops. This is normal and you can watch out for a period of 2-3 months where the temperature drops and the plant’s growth slows down. Alternatively, you can move the Begonia into cooler temperatures. During the rest period, water the plant less and remove dead or damaged foliage.

The Double-Flowered Begonia is toxic to pets when ingested, so please be mindful to keep them away from your furry friends. If ingested, it can cause vomiting, loss of appetite, and drooling.