Over the last few years I have gone from a hater of begonias to someone who sings their praises from the highest of rooftops. However, every Begonia owner knows that while gorgeous, they certainly have their fare share of problems. One of the most common that plague the species are begonia leaves turning yellow. Fortunately, there are a few common reasons for yellowing begonia leaves, and easy solutions. Keep reading to learn more about begonias and why their leaves might be yellowing.
Begonia Plant Care: Fast Facts
Sunlight
Almost all types of Begonias thrive in partial shade. Too much sun will resort in weak, floppy leaves and wilted blooms. When planted indoors, they love East or West facing windows. Southern windows typically get too warm for this species.
Humidity
Humidity is everything when it comes to indoor begonias. In fact, if the edges of your leaves are drying out and crunching, it’s likely an issue with humidity. Supplement humidity in your home by grouping plants of the same species together, using a humidifier, or incorporating a DIY pebble tray. Though Begonia plants love humidity, you should never ever mist their leaves. Begonias are especially susceptible to powdery mildew, and misting the leaves can only make this type of fungal infection even worse.
Watering
Begonias like to stay relatively moist. Thoroughly water your Begonia plants when the first 1-2 inches of soil have completely dried out.
Reasons for Yellow Begonia Leaves
Now that you have the basics of Begonia care out of the way, it’s time to get down to the nitty gritty behind the three most typical causes of yellowing begonia leaves.
Overwatering
Overwatering is one of the most common causes of yellow begonia leaves. If the soil has sat soggy for a period of time, or has been watered before the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry, overwatering is likely the culprit for yellowing leaves. Inspect the plant for root rot, and repot if necessary. If root rot isn’t present, simply trim off the yellowing leaves and allow the plant to dry out thoroughly before watering again.
Old Age
Like most plants, Begonia varieties “self sabotage” their old leaves in order to direct their energy towards new growth. If the leaves on the base of your plant are getting yellow, while the rest of the plant is continuing to put out healthy leaves, old age is likely the cause. Don’t be alarmed—this is perfectly natural. You can wait for the plant to drop the yellow leaf on its own or trim it with a pair of scissors.
Pests/Fungal Infections
As I mentioned earlier in this post, Begonia varities are super susceptible to fungal infections like powdery mildew. If newer leaves are yellowing and then dropping, inspect your plant for a white, powdery fungus. If found, use a 2:1 mixture of Dawn dishsoap and water to clean the plant. Repot in new soil.
More Help With Begonias
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