Tuberous begonias are stunning plants that produce abundant flowers in shades of white, pink, red, yellow, and orange. They grace summertime gardens and containers with their showy blossoms and attractive foliage. With proper care, many tuberous begonia varieties can be kept alive through winter and rebloom for years to come. Here is a step-by-step guide to successfully wintering over your tuberous begonias.
When to Dig Up Tubers
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In areas with freezing winters, tubers must be dug up in autumn before frost damages the plant. Wait until after the first light frost when foliage starts to die back.
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In warmer climates allow plants to go dormant and die back naturally as day length shortens in fall.
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Ideal time is October to November, but pay attention to plant and weather cues vs relying on a calendar date
How to Dig and Prepare Tubers
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Carefully dig up the entire begonia plant and gently wash off soil from tubers and roots.
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Check for rot or damage and cleanly cut away any diseased portions. Dust cuts with sulfur powder.
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Lay plants in a warm, dry spot out of sun for several days so tubers and stems thoroughly dry.
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Once fully dried, stems and roots should detach easily from the tubers. If not, let dry longer.
Storing Tubers Over Winter
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Place dried tubers individually in paper bags or mesh bags. This prevents rot from spreading.
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Pack them in sawdust, perlite, vermiculite, peat moss or shredded paper to stabilize moisture.
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Store in a cardboard box or breathable container in a cool, dark, dry spot around 50°F.
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Check periodically and discard any tubers with mold, shriveling, or insect damage.
When to Plant Tubers in Spring
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In spring, start tubers indoors 6-8 weeks before last expected frost date.
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Or plant them directly in garden beds once soil temperature reaches 60°F and all chance of frost has passed.
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Water sparingly at first until sprouts emerge, then resume normal watering routine.
Transitioning Indoor Starts Outdoors
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If started indoors, gradually acclimate to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days.
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Place in shady, sheltered spot and protect from wind, rain, and frost.
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Then transplant to garden beds or containers in full sun after weather has stabilized.
Storing Potted Plants Indoors
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In warmer zones, you can overwinter container plants. Before frost hits, prune back stems.
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Bring pots indoors to a sunny room, limit watering, and provide humidity if air is very dry.
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Keep at 60-70°F and transition back outside in spring after danger of frost has passed.
Key Tips for Success
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Know your variety’s specific temperature tolerance and growing needs.
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Allow foliage to die back fully before digging. Dry tubers thoroughly before storage.
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Inspect regularly over winter and discard any diseased or damaged tubers.
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Repotting every 2-3 years in fresh soil improves plant health.
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Start tubers indoors for a head start on spring planting.
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Move potted plants gradually between indoor and outdoor conditions.
Why It’s Worth the Effort
Overwintering lets you enjoy gorgeous begonias year after year. Taking the time to properly dry, store, and replant tubers saves money instead of buying new plants annually. Your overwintered begonias will establish quicker, grow fuller, and produce more prolific blossoms when their large, stored tubers are headstarted each spring. With minimal effort, you can have vibrant tuberous begonias brightening your garden or containers season after season.
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But before you bring a wax begonia inside, make sure you treat it for bugs or powdery mildew. Plants can be sprayed or gently washed with warm water and bleach-free dish soap for this check.
Because bringing wax begonias inside can stress the plants and cause leaves to fall off, it’s often best to get them used to the indoor environment first. For one or two weeks, move the begonias to a spot with some shade and some sun. After that, start bringing the plants inside a few days a week. Last but not least, you can put your wax begonias near a bright window so they get a lot of indirect light.
This type of begonia generally refers to those that have especially interesting or attractive foliage. Many of these species stay green all year in their natural habitat, but you can grow them every year in your garden. Foliage begonias will require special care in winter. Experienced growers suggest bringing the plants indoors before the arrival of frost late in the season. Just like wax begonias, slowly acclimate your begonias to indoor lighting. Foliage begonias should be kept near a bright window and safely away from cold drafts or heating vents.
When to Overwinter Begonias
The process of preparing the plants for winter generally begins in early fall. Tender species can be overwintered indoors as houseplants. Others may be allowed to die back naturally before the storage process can start. If you want to enjoy your favorite types of begonias for many seasons to come, you need to learn how to properly overwinter them.
How to Overwinter Tuberous Begonias || Quick & Easy Guide
FAQ
Can you leave tuberous begonias in pots over winter?
How do I save my begonias for next year?
Can you overwinter begonias in a garage?
Should begonias be cut back in winter?
Cut back begonia stems to three or four inches above the tuber in fall as you prepare to overwinter them. Do this for tuberous begonias when you bring them into a frost-free space for winter. The stems of hardy begonias, will die back naturally if you’re leaving them outside for winter under a mulch.
How do you care for a tuberous begonia?
Tuberous begonia winter care is relatively simple. Each plant should be allowed to die back naturally after the first frost. Next, dig up the tubers and remove the stems and leaves down to the crown. Any loose soil should also be removed in preparation for a brief curing period that lasts approximately two weeks.
Can You overwinter tuberous begonias?
You can overwinter tuberous begonias in pots by taking them indoors before the first hard frost. If your begonias are planted in the ground, dig them out before the temperatures drop below 50 °F (10 °C). Let the bulbs dry for at least 2 weeks before keeping them in pots in a cool, dark room.
Can tuberous begonias be stored over winter?
If your tuberous begonias are planted in your garden, you can dig them up and store them over winter. But for that to be successful, you must lift them before the first frost. Leaving them in the ground too long will result in frost damage, which means they probably won’t survive in storage.
Do tuberous begonias go dormant?
In northern climates where it freezes, the tuberous begonia must be dug up and the tubers stored indoors for the winter. This should be done after the first light frost. In southern climates where it rarely or never freezes, tuberous begonias will go dormant on their own. They do this according to the length of the day.
Can you dig up tuberous begonias?
Voted across the board 🙂 A guide to digging up your tuberous begonias, storing their roots over the winter, and restarting your plant from tubers in the spring. Includes answers to FAQs about tuberous begonias.