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If your Red Tiger Begonia has grown wild this season, don’t worry … that’s exactly what they do. These plants grow fast, stretch toward the sun, and by fall can look tall, leggy, and ready for a good haircut. Before bringing yours indoors for winter, a proper prune will help keep it compact, healthy, and ready to regrow with strong stems and fresh leaves.

In our latest Buddha’s Botanicals video, Brad walks through how to prune a Red Tiger Begonia using the same method we use on many of our tropical shrubs; quick, simple, and beginner-friendly. If you want to see it done in real time, the full video is linked at the end of this post.

Why Prune a Red Tiger Begonia?

Red Tiger Begonias grow fast, but their stems don’t always have time to thicken and support the weight of new growth. That’s why you’ll see shoots that bend, droop, or curl downward. Pruning fixes that. When you cut the plant back, it sends out new, stronger shoots that grow upright and stay compact. These begonias are also deciduous, so yellow leaves are normal in fall and winter … simply pick them off and fresh leaves will replace them.

What You’ll Need

• A clean pair of pruning shears

• Optional: a “stick method” guide

Step 1: Trim With the Stick Method

If you’re new to pruning or the plant feels overwhelming, use the stick method. Hold a stick along the outside edge of the pot, then snip every branch that grows beyond it. You can angle the stick out a few inches to leave some shape. When you cut, always snip just above a leaf joint. That’s where a brand-new shoot will grow. Don’t cut in the middle of a bare stem … always at a joint.

Step 2: Remove Weak or Drooping Stems

Some stems get long, heavy, and bend downward. These won’t strengthen; they’ll just keep flopping. Find a strong growth point higher up the stem and cut back to it. The new growth will thicken and grow upright. If a branch shoots straight down or across the middle of the plant, remove it completely. That keeps the center open so air and light can get in.

Step 3: Shape the Height

After the sides are trimmed, look at the top. Most people keep their Red Tiger Begonia around 3-5 feet tall for indoor growing. Pick your height and give the plant a clean, straight “haircut” across the top. Each cut should be just above a leaf node. Those spots will branch and thicken as it regrows.

Step 4: Snip Untouched Growth Points

After the main pruning is done, check for growth tips you didn’t cut earlier. If you leave them, they will shoot straight out and get leggy again. Snip each one just above a leaf joint so the plant branches evenly.

Step 5: Clean Up Yellow Leaves and Old Flower Stems

Now that the hard work is done, remove yellow leaves and dried flower stems. This keeps pests away and lets the plant focus on fresh, clean growth.

The End Result

After pruning, your Red Tiger Begonia should look compact, upright, and ready to move inside for winter. Place it in a bright window and let those new shoots build strength. As they grow, the stems will thicken and the plant will take on that full, leafy Red Tiger shape again.

Watch the Full Pruning Video

Want to see exactly where to cut? Watch Brad’s full tutorial below

👉 Watch the video here on Buddha’s Botanicals YouTube Channel

👉 Explore our full Flowering Maple Playlist for more tropical plant care guides

Bonus: Want to Propagate the Cuttings?

If you want to grow new plants from your trimmings, we also have videos on how to root and propagate Red Tiger Begonia cuttings; see above playlist.

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Buddha’s Botanicals pruning videos

November 2025

If your hibiscus went wild this summer, you’re not alone. These tropical shrubs love the heat, grow fast, and can easily get leggy or overgrown by fall. Before moving them inside or cutting them back for winter, a proper pruning will help your hibiscus stay strong, balanced, and ready to bloom again next season. 

In our latest Buddha’s Botanicals video, Brad walks through the full process of pruning four hibiscus plants; two smaller first-year bushes and two mature ones, showing exactly where and how to make each cut. If you prefer to watch the technique in real time, the full video is linked at the end of this post.

Why Prune a Hibiscus?

Pruning keeps your hibiscus healthy, full, and flowering. These plants bloom on new growth, so cutting them back encourages more branches and more blooms next season. It also helps remove any weak, crossed, or yellowing stems that could invite pests or disease during dormancy.
If your hibiscus has yellow or spotted leaves, don’t panic. That’s normal when daylight shortens and temps drop. Just pick off the bad ones so your plant can put its energy into healthy new leaves.

What You’ll Need:
- A clean pair of pruning shears
- Optional: gloves, especially for larger bushes
- A bright, dry workspace

Step 1: Trim Around the Pot

Start by pruning any stems that reach past the edge of the pot. This keeps your hibiscus balanced and gives you a clear view of its shape. Don’t worry about cutting off flower buds … while it’s hard to part with them, pruning now helps the plant rest and regrow stronger later.

Step 2: Cut Above a Leaf Node

When you make a cut, always snip just above a leaf node—the small bump where new shoots form. This is where your plant will branch out. On taller, lanky stems, cut back several inches to encourage fuller side growth. Think of it as giving your hibiscus a clean, even haircut.

Step 3: Open the Center

A dense hibiscus traps moisture and blocks airflow. That’s where bugs and mildew love to hide. Remove weak, crossing, or crowded stems in the center so air and light can move freely through the plant. It should feel airy and open when you’re done.

Step 4: Shape the Height

Once the sides are neat, look at the height. You can make your hibiscus rounded and full, or prune it into a taller tree shape with “lollipop” clusters of blooms at the top. For a tree-like look, leave five or six strong main stems and remove lower shoots about 8-10 inches up from the soil line. For a bushier look, leave more side shoots lower down.

Step 5: Clean Up and Let It Rest

After pruning, clear away any fallen leaves or petals around the base. Water lightly and keep your hibiscus in a warm, bright spot indoors. Over the next few weeks, new shoots will start to grow from your cuts; proof that you’ve set the stage for another season of blooms.

Watch the Full Hibiscus Pruning Video

Want to see each cut in real time? Watch Brad’s full video on pruning hibiscus below. He demonstrates the entire process … from identifying weak shoots to shaping the final canopy, so you can follow along at home.

👉 Watch the Hibiscus Bush video here on Buddha’s Botanicals YouTube Channel

👉 Watch the Hibiscus Tree/Topiary video here on Buddha’s Botanicals YouTube Channel
👉 Explore our full Hibiscus Playlist Here

Bonus: What’s Next

We’ve got more pruning and care videos coming soon, including tips for Jasmine, Mandevilla, and Bougainvillea. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and check back here for detailed written guides to help your tropicals thrive all year long.

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Buddha’s Botanicals pruning videos

November 2025

If your Lantana went wild this summer, you’re not alone. These sun-loving plants grow fast, bloom like crazy, and by the end of the season can look more like a jungle than a houseplant. When it’s time to move your Lantana inside for winter … or into a greenhouse … it’s important to give it a good pruning first.

In our latest Buddha’s Botanicals video, Brad walks through the step-by-step process of pruning a Lantana tree, topiary, or bush so it stays compact, healthy, and ready to regrow next spring. If you prefer to see it done in real time, watch the full video at the end of this post.

Why Prune a Lantana?

Pruning keeps your Lantana strong and full. When you trim it back, you’re helping it grow new branches, more leaves, and better blooms. It also keeps the plant from getting too tall or leggy, especially before bringing it indoors.

What You’ll Need

• A clean pair of pruning shears

• A steady hand

• Optional: a stick for guidance (more on that below)

Step 1: Start with the “Stick Method”

If your Lantana is large or overgrown, the easiest way to start pruning is with the stick method. Place a stick against the edge of the pot and trim off any stems that reach beyond it. This keeps the plant’s shape balanced and stops it from spreading too wide.

If you’re comfortable pruning, you can skip the stick and freehand your cuts. The key idea: work your way around evenly and don’t be afraid to cut back more than you think.

Step 2: Cut Above a Leaf Node

Every time you cut above a leaf node (the small bump where a leaf or stem grows), you encourage two new branches to grow from that point. This creates a fuller, bushier plant.

Brad explains this in the video as he trims … snipping back long stems and removing weaker, hanging branches. If a branch is thin or droopy, it’s best to remove it completely.

Step 3: Remove Weak or Crossing Branches

Look for any branches that cross through the middle of the plant or rub against others. These can cause small wounds as they grow, which makes the plant more likely to get damaged or diseased. Snip those off cleanly so air and light can reach the center.

Also, remove any growth near the bottom of the main stem. This helps keep your Lantana shaped like a tree or topiary, rather than a tangled bush.

Step 4: Shape the Height

Once the sides are trimmed, look at the height. Brad recommends keeping the top around three feet above the pot for a well-shaped, compact look. Cut just above a leaf node wherever you shorten the plant … this is where new growth will pop out later.

Step 5: Clean Up and Get Ready for Winter

After pruning, remove any dead twigs or debris around the soil. Your Lantana should now look neat, even, and ready for winter.

If you have bright light indoors or in your greenhouse, your Lantana may keep some green leaves and even bloom through the winter. Otherwise, it will rest and come back full and vibrant in the spring.

Watch the Full Pruning Video

Want to see exactly how it’s done? Watch Brad’s full tutorial on how to prune a Lantana tree or topiary below. He demonstrates every step ... from where to make the first cut to shaping the top for perfect regrowth.

👉 Watch the video here on Buddha’s Botanicals YouTube Channel

👉 Watch our full Lantana Playlist Here

Bonus: What’s Next

We’ve got more pruning and plant care videos coming soon, including tips for Mandevilla, Jasmine, Hibiscus, and more. Subscribe to our YouTube channel so you don’t miss them, and check back here for new guides.

Keywords to target:

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October 2025