Non Stop Begonia Plant Care

Last Updated on April 18, 2022 by Admin

The Non Stop Begonia is also called the Begonia Nonstop. It is double flowing plant that produces stunning blooms and beautiful colors.

As with many other begonia varieties, the its flowers are its main attraction. These come in many different colors including red, orange, white, yellow and more.

It blooms all throughout summer and into autumn.

You can grow them pots, hanging baskets, window boxes, garden beds and in the ground.

How do care for the Non Stop Begonia? The plant thrives in bright, indirect light. It needs plenty of light to produce its beautiful flowers.

But be careful the strong, intense direct sunlight which can burn its leaves. Warm, humid conditions are ideal for the plant. Feed it with an all-purpose fertilizer during spring and summer.

Table of Contents

Light Requirements

Non Stop Begonia enjoys plenty of light. But it is important to differentiate what kind of light it wants and what it cannot take.

That’s because the plant is used to indirect, filtered or dappled light. And it cannot tolerate harsh, strong or intense light.

As such, the rule of thumb here is to give it lots of morning sunlight and afternoon shade.

That’s because morning sun is gentle. In contrast, the afternoon sun is too strong for the plant to tolerate.

Just as important, Non Stop Begonias needs good lighting in order to produce its beautiful bright colored flowers.

This makes an east facing window ideal if you keep the plant indoors. Outdoors, it prefers partial shade. Although, if you can find a spot that gets morning sun and shade in the afternoon that would even be better.

But be careful with any kind of harsh light.

Typically, this occurs between 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. when the sun is most intense. So, you want to keep the plant away from the sun’s rays during these times.

While it can tolerate 2 hours or so of this, anything more on a regular basis will scorch its leaves. Similarly, if your Non Stop Begonia’s flowers have lighter hues or look bleached, this is due to sun damage.

Therefore, move the plant to somewhere the sun’s rays don’t get to it.

On the other hand, low light is something that the plant can withstand without any harm. But it wont flower much. You not only get fewer flowers blooming usually gets delayed as well.

Additionally, there’s always the risk of leggy stems and flower stalks which will make the plant less visually appealing.

Temperature

He Non Stop Begonia enjoys temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. It enjoys moderate to warm weather since it is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Central and South America.

This makes them adapt quite well to the indoor climate conditions of most homes.

Similarly, they enjoy warm weather outdoors, which is why spring and summer are when they will actively grow.

And if you happen to live in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11, you can grow Non Stop Begonias outdoors all year round.

That’s because the weather in these regions stay sunny and moderate to warm throughout. They also don’t have winters which is similar to the tropics.

This makes the plant feel very much at home.

But since the Non Stop Begonia’s native habitat does not have cold months or winter, it is easy to tell why it has poor tolerance to the cold.

It can only take temperatures down to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

This means you want to be careful with the plant even indoors especially during wintertime. Also, keep it away from air conditioners as well as open doors or windows where cold drafts can come in.

Don’t leave the plant outdoors in winter as it won’t survive to see the spring.

Instead, bring it indoors around mid to late fall before the temperature drops to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

This is why most Non Stop Begonia owners will keep it as a houseplant if they want it to keep growing. Outdoors in the cold it is an annual.

Humidity

The Non Stop Begonia prefers humid conditions of 60% to 80%. This allows it to grow faster and produce more vibrant colors.

But it can likewise tolerate humidity of 50% and a bit below that without harm or any issues.

Keep in mind that humidity will vary indoors and outdoors.

The former will almost always be lower than the latter. Therefore, don’t assume that they are the same. Instead, check your home’s internal humidity.

Additionally, each room’s level of air moisture will be different.

For example, the kitchen and the bathroom traditionally have much higher humidity because we tend to use lots of water there.

To make things easier, it is a good idea to have a hygrometer on hand.

This portable and affordable device lets you instantly tell what the humidity is at any given time.

This way you know if you need to give the Non Stop Begonia some help. And how much do you need to increase humidity levels.

In case the air is dry in your house, you can get a humidifier.

You can likewise mist the plant or set up a pebble tray.

How Often to Water Non Stop Begonia

The Non Stop Begonia needs water to thrive. But it does not need a lot of it.

That said, how much you water the plant will vary significantly depending on where it is growing, how much sunlight it is getting and the time of year.

The more light it gets or the warmer the weather, the more regular watering it requires.

On the other hand, the less light there is and the colder it gets, the less water it will need.

Also, the plant dislikes both extremes.

That is, it does not like it when its soil dries out completely. Nor will it be happy when overwatered and the soil is soggy.

As a gardener, you want to be more careful with the latter.

That’s because overwatering can lead to root rot. And when root rot occurs, there’s always the risk of losing your plant.

So, stay on the drier side when it comes to maintaining soil moisture.

An easy way to avoid watering the plant too often is to wait until the top 1-2 inches of soil has dried. Never add water until you feel that the top few inches of soil is completely dry.

This will prevent adding more water when the soil is still wet or moist. In doing so, you’ll be able to avoid drowning the roots in excess moisture.

In addition to when to water the Non Stop Begonia, it is also important to know how to water the plant.

Don’t water it overhead and wet everything in the process. This is a big no-no!

You want to avoid wetting the flowers and the leaves when you water.

If you notice the flowers turning brown, this is a sign of too much water. Instead, try to water directly onto the soil.

Deep watering is also the ideal way to water the Non Stop Begonia.

This means soaking the entire root ball. To do so, keep adding water until you see the liquid trickling down from the drainage holes of the pot.

Then allow the soil to completely drain.

Both parts are very important.

The first ensures that the roots get all the water they want. The second gets rid of all the excess water soon after to avoid overwatering.

What you’re left with is moist soil with no risk of overwatering.

Non Stop Begonia Potting Soil

The Non Stop Begonia needs well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter and slightly acidic. This is the perfect soil for the plant.

Because overwatering and root rot are a threat to the well-being of the plant, good drainage is very important.

This will ensure that excess moisture quickly drains out.

In contrast, you do not want to use any water-retentive soils. There are some soils that are designed to do this because they are made for water-loving plants.

Avoid them at least for the Non Stop Begonia.

Similarly, avoid using regular store-bought houseplant soil without amending it first. It will need some component added to it to improve drainage before using it on the Non Stop Begonia.

In this case, you can use perlite, orchid bark or vermiculite.

To create a well-draining potting mix for the Non Stop Begonia by combining:

1 part potting soil
1 part peat moss
1 part perlite

In addition to well-draining soil, it is likewise important to choose a pot with drainage holes at the bottom.

This will let the liquid that drains from the soil drip out of the pot instead of just building up at the bottom of the container.

As such, your strategy for avoiding overwatering, waterlogging and root rot is:

Wait until the soil is partially dry before watering
Use well-draining soil
Use a pot with drainage

Fertilizer

Use an all-purpose fertilizer to make sure the Non Stop Begonia gets all the nutrients it needs.

This is important if you want it to achieve optimal growth.

During the spring and summer, feed the plant every 2 weeks diluting the dose to half strength. Do this if you keep the plant indoors in a pot.

If you grow it outdoors in the garden, use the full dose as prescribed by the manufacturer in the label.

You want to make sure the plant gets sufficient fertilizer during this time because this is its growing season. As such, it will grow the fastest and do majority of its growing during this time.

That said, be careful with over fertilizing the plant.

This is something that is easy to and quite tempting. But avoid at all costs.

That’s because overfeeding will result in fertilizer burn which will damage the roots.

The reason is that commercial fertilizers contain salts. Plants hate salt. So, the more you feed the plant, not only are you giving it more nutrients but also salt in the process.

As the salts build up in the soil, they become toxic and will later damage the roots.

So, try to avoid giving the plant more than what it needs.

Alternatively, you can also use slow-release fertilizer which reduces the risk of overfertilizing.

Another option is to use compost or worm castings instead. Organic fertilizers don’t contain the excess salts like synthetics do.

Pruning

Non Stop Begonias grow to about 8 to 12 inches high and 12 to 16 inches wide.

As with some heavy flowering begonia varieties, the leaves play a supporting roll to the blooms. In fact, in pots they look like the bed of green under the flowers.

As such, you don’t need to prune the plant a lot.

However, some of the stems and stalks can grow in different directions or get longer than the others. In this case, pruning is a good choice help the plant keep its shape.

In general, you don’t need to deadhead the Non Stop Begonia.

However, try to remove any leaves as well as blooms that are dead and still attached to the plant. these not only look unsightly but they can also become the source of disease and rotting.

How to Propagate Non Stop Begonia

The Begonia Nonstop is often propagated via division or their shoots. Unfortunately, it does not propagate well from cuttings.

Division is what most home gardeners use. Although, many find it intimidating, which they shouldn’t be.

The most important thing with division is to know what you’re looking for. So, make your to check the plant’s tuberous roots and take a close look at them.

Once you get familiar with it, propagating by division becomes straightforward.

I think that many beginner gardeners become hesitant because the plant’s underground structure looks different from the fibrous roots most houseplants have.

But once you get familiar with it, everything else is simple.

To divide the Begonia Nonstop, take it out of its container.

Be careful in doing this because you don’t want to damage the tuber, stems or flowers.

Brush off excess soil so you can have a clear view of the roots and the rest of the underground structure. Then decide where you want to split the plant.

Make sure that each division has enough leaves and flowers above the soil. Just as importantly, it should have sufficient roots to support that new plant.

Then divide the tuberous roots. You can use your hands or get a sterile knife and cut to make the divisions.

Plant each of the divisions in their own individual containers with well-draining potting mix.

Water each of the new pots and place them in bright, indirect light.

That’s it!

Since you have semi-grown plants, you don’t have to wait for them to root.

How to Repot or Transplant Non Stop Begonia

The Begonia Nonstop only needs repotting once you see roots starting to fill the pot. This is a sign that they have run out of room in the pot and are now coming out.

Since the plant enjoys being slightly root bound, you don’t need to repot until this happens.

Avoid moving it unnecessarily as well.

The plant does not like this.

When repotting be careful when you unpot and re-plant it. The fuller the plant, the more flowers you need to deal with.

Also, avoid damaging or jarring the roots.

Similarly, change the soil when you repot. This will ensure that the soil mix is well-draining and porous. Plus, its nutrient content will be replenished.

Choose a pot that it once size larger than the current one. And make sure it has drainage holes.

Is It Toxic/Poisonous to Humans, Cats & Dogs

Yes, keep kids and pets away from the plant. The Begonia Nonstop is toxic when ingested.

And this can cause inflammation, pain, swelling and vomiting.

In case your kids or pets consumer part of the plant, immediately call your pediatrician or veterinarian and tell them what happened.

They will advise you on the next steps.

Non Stop Begonia Problems & Troubleshooting

Pests

The Begonia Nonstop can experience pests. Aphids, mites and mealybugs are common pests that will attack the plant as they like feeding on its sap.

As such, be on the lookout for these pests.

If you spot any, don’t hesitate or wait. Instead, immediately isolate the plant and start treatment.

Neem oil and insecticidal soap are very effective against these bugs.

Diseases

Powdery mildew and botrytis are the most common fungal diseases that will affect the Non Stop Begonia.

Similarly, stem and root rot are dangers as well.

All these are caused by excess moisture.

Root rot is caused by overwatering the soil. High humidity increases the risk for stem rot while wet leaves can result in powdery mildew and botrytis.

Therefore, always be mindful how when you water and how you water the plant.

Non Stop Begonia Plant Care – Light, Water, Soil, Pruning & Propagation