How to Repot Begonias

Begonias outgrow their pots every few years.

Begonias come in a several varieties, including those grown for their attractive foliage and those prized for their flowers. The foliage varieties, such as the angelwing and the rex begonia, often have colorful variegated leaves. Most begonias thrive in low-light conditions, so they are often grown as indoor houseplants. Begonias outgrow their pots after a year or two, and require repotting if they are to continue growing well. If the soil is drying out quickly or the roots are compacting in the drainage holes, it is time to repot your begonia.

Things You'll Need

• Pot
• Potting soil

Instructions

1. Fill the new pot with 2 to 3 inches of potting soil. Use a pot that has a diameter 2 inches larger than current pot, and is the same depth or slightly deeper. Only use pots that have drainage holes in the bottom.

2. Place your hand over the top of the current begonia pot with the plant's stem placed between your fingers. Turn the pot upside down and thump the sides until the begonia slides out and into your hand.

3. Set the begonia into the new pot. Add additional soil under the root ball, if necessary, so that the crown of the begonia sits 1 inch beneath the rim of the pot. The crown is where the stems emerge from the roots.

4. Fill in around the begonia with soil. Plant the begonia at the same depth in the new pot that it was at in its previous pot, as planting too deeply can lead to rot.

5. Water the pot from the top until the excess water drains from the bottom. Leave the water in the drip tray for one to two hours so that the soil has time to absorb it, then empty out any excess water.

Tips & Warnings

• Repot begonias in winter or early spring before they begin actively growing again, when possible.

• Begonias prefer potting soil that are rich in organic matter such as peat or compost, advises Texas A&M University Extension.

• Do not repot a begonia that is suffering from water stress, disease or pest infestations. Wait until the plant is healthy again before repotting; otherwise, the transplant shock can kill the plant.

References

• Texas A&M Extension: Begonia Family
• Clemson University Extension: Indoor Plants-Transplanting and Repotting