Ice begonias are usually offered as annual container goods. Since the flowers are relatively cheap, overwintering them is hardly or not at all financially worthwhile. However, in the interests of environmental protection and sustainability, it is possible.
How can ice begonias overwinter successfully?
To overwinter ice begonias, they should be moved to a frost-free winter quarters at around 15 °C before the first frost. Alternatively, cuttings can overwinter in potting soil. In spring, ice begonias should be cut back and accustomed to outside temperatures.
How can ice begonias overwinter?
Ice begonias are not hardy; they inevitably die at temperatures around freezing point. Therefore, the plants must be moved to frost-free winter quarters in good time before the first night frost. During the winter they do not need to be fertilized and watered only slightly.
Instead of overwintering your ice begonias as a complete plant, you can also overwinter them as cuttings. This way you can propagate the plants at the same time. To do this, break individual shoots from the begonia in autumn and place them in potting soil (€6.00 at Amazon). After rooting, the young plants are cared for in the same way as older ice begonias.
Where should ice 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 ice begonia will continue to bloom in winter.
How do I treat ice begonias in spring?
After a light pruning in spring, you can slowly get the ice begonias used to the fresh air again. The plants can only be moved completely into the garden or onto the balcony after the Ice Saints.
The most important things in brief:
- not hardy but perennial
- freezes at 0 °C
- be sure to stay frost-free
- possibly overwinter as cuttings
- do not fertilize and water little in winter
- cut back in spring
- slowly getting used to outside temperatures again
- protect from late frost
Tip
If you would like to overwinter your ice begonias, then be sure to bring the plants into the warm before the first night frosts, they freeze very quickly.
