• A greenhouse is a good place for growing strawberry begonias.greenhouse image by Paulo Ribeiro from Fotolia.com
  
  A strawberry begonia is a small flowering plant that has rounded leaves on runners that form a cascading effect. This plant looks best in a hanging basket, though it can also be used as a groundcover. The leaves have a velvety texture, with fine hair and silver markings on them. Following a few key tips on how to maintain this plant will have it looking healthy and blooming white flowers in the spring and summer.
  
  

Fertilize

• According to the Begonia Care website, a general rule of thumb for fertilizer on all begonias is to go lightly. Use the amount suggested on your fertilizer bag, and lightly dust it on your strawberry begonia periodically (approximately once every month). If you plan on transplanting your begonia, do not fertilize it until after it is transplanted. Besides dry fertilizer, you can also use an all-purpose water-soluble fertilizer. Follow the label directions and use this instead of other fertilizers if preferred.
  
  

Soil

• Use a light potting soil that consists of sand, soil and peat moss. When planting, mix in a bit of old cow manure as fertilizer. The soil should be approximately one inch below the rim of the pot. This will allow a good water reservoir for the plant.
  
  

Water

• Water the plant when it is dry to the touch, but make sure not to over-water it. During the winter, water more sparingly to give your plant a break. It will still need to be watered so that it does not die, but you will just not have to water it as much during the winter months.
  
  

Maintenance

• Make sure to trim all yellow foliage from the plant. These dead leaves will pull nutrients from your plant, which it needs to stay healthy and blooming. If your plant becomes pot bound, you should replant it during the spring. Pot bound simply means the roots have grown too large for the pot. When this happens, the roots become crowded and push out the soil, which the plant needs to stay healthy.
  
  

Heat Tolerance

• Strawberry begonias grow best in filtered or partial sun; they should not be exposed to full sun. They also do well indoors. If the leaves start getting holes in them, it could be caused from too much sun. If this happens, move your plant indoors or in the shade.