Ice begonias are usually offered as annual container goods. Since the flowers are relatively cheap, overwintering them is hardly worth it financially, if at all. In terms of environmental protection and sustainability, however, it is possible.

Ice begonias should be kept at around 15°C in winter

How can ice begonias overwinter?

Ice begonias are not hardy, they inevitably die even at temperatures around freezing point. Therefore, the plants must be brought to a frost-free winter quarters in good time before the first night frost. They do not need to be fertilized during the winter and only need to be watered a little.

You can overwinter your ice begonias as cuttings instead of as a complete plant. So you can propagate the plants at the same time. To do this, break individual shoots out of the begonia in autumn and place them in potting soil. After rooting, the young plants are cared for in the same way as older ice begonias.

Where should polar begonias overwinter?

Winter quarters with temperatures around 15 °C are ideal. This can be a cold greenhouse or a cool room. If the winter quarters are bright enough, the polar begonia will continue to bloom in winter.

How to treat the ice begonias in spring?

After a slight pruning in the spring, you can gradually get the ice begonias used to the fresh air again. However, the plants are only allowed to move completely into the garden or onto the balcony after the ice saints.

The essentials in brief:

  • not hardy but perennial
  • freezes already at 0 °C
  • be sure to stay frost-free
  • possibly overwinter as cuttings
  • do not fertilize in winter and water little
  • cut back in spring
  • gradually get used to outside temperatures again
  • protect against late frost

tips

If you would like to hibernate your ice begonias, then be sure to bring the plants into a warm place before the first night frosts, they freeze to death very quickly.

Category:

Indoor plants