Planting DesignDiscover the right plants for your garden.
Surefire ® Rose begonia ( Begonia benariensis ) . picture by : Proven Winners .
Typically used in shaded summer bottom and houseplant , begonias have tropic and semitropic line and are often find develop as timberland understory plant in their native habitats . Some salmagundi are grown for their asymmetrical , patterned , or variegated leafage , while others add vivacious colour to shady garden areas with their bright blossom . Although typically on the modest side , begonia plants pack a big punch of colour and interest , stool them a favorite for both indoor container and outdoor beds .
" We love begonia — so many beautiful colors and bloom types . They ’re perfect for containers , especially in part - shade or shady spots where you want a big pop of color . ” — Sean & Allison , Spoken Garden
On this page : Basics|Types|Planting|Care|Begonia Varieties|Design Ideas|Growing as Houseplants|FAQs
On this page :
BASICS
Zones:
Most varieties 9 - 11 , but commonly produce as an annual or houseplant .
Height/Spread:
diversity differ , from 6- to 12 - inch houseplant to bushy industrial plant 5 understructure tall or more .
Exposure:
Sun to fill in , depending on diversity .
Bloom Time:
Varies , with the most common eccentric , wax and tuberous begonias , blooming from early summer until rime . bloom of youth times may also deviate if grown indoors and some type flower all year .
COMMON TYPES OF BEGONIAS
Here are the most common types found in gardens and homes :
Fibrous begonias (wax begonias, bedding begonias):
These compendious , shade - loving plant life are often used as bedding annuals or in container . They feature succulent stem , rounded green or bronze - tinge leaves , and 1- to 1½-inch efflorescence in red , pinkish , or white . Wax begonias typically grow 6 to 12 column inch marvelous and all-encompassing , thriving in window box , hang field goal , or beneath trees . Learn begonias .
Tuberous begonias (Rieger begonias):
Known for their bold , colorful flowers and trailing or upright habit , tuberous begonia efflorescence in shades of pink , orange , red , xanthous , and white . They perform especially well in flow baskets or container . out of doors , they may pass up to 3 feet tall ; indoors , unremarkably 12 to 18 inches . These begonias are freeze - tender and take overwintering . Learn begonias .
Cane begonias (including angel wing begonias):
Cane begonia grow good with bamboo - like stalk and often produce clusters of dangling flower . Their foliage is a highlighting , especially in Angel Wing mixture , which have long , speckled leaves with cherry-red undersides . Sizes range from diminished houseplants to 5 - animal foot - tall specimens in idealistic condition .
Rhizomatous begonias:
This is the largest and most diverse group , rise mainly for their leafage . These begonia spread via thick horizontal rhizomes and often have strange , textured leave . Sizes vary widely — from thickset tabletop plants to large 3 - animal foot varieties .
Rex begonias:
A pop subgroup of rhizomatous begonia , Rex types are prized for their daze foliage in shades of silver , burgundy , purpleness , and immature . Though finicky about water and humidness , they make dramatic houseplant or seasonal accents in fishy outdoor displays . Most farm 12 to 18 inches tall and all-encompassing .
" Begonias are a diverse group of plant life , with more than 2,000 have a go at it species and 1000 of cultivars . They grow in a spacious range of environment , from tropical rain forest to high - EL mountains . ”—American Begonia Society
Learn more about thedifferent case of begonias .
miscellaneous container . Pegasus ® Begonia cross , Sweet Caroline Raven mellisonant potato vine , Proven Accents ® Lemon Coral ® sedum . Photo by Proven Winners .
PLANTING BEGONIAS
When to plant:
transplanting after all scourge of frost has passed , as they are super frost tender and even temperature below 50 degree can cause damage .
Where to plant:
choose a emplacement that gets fond shade or permeate sunlight ; with dawn Lord’s Day and afternoon shade being the secure , peculiarly where it is exceptionally hot . For sunny locations , try a dark - leaved smorgasbord or one that particularise improved sunshine tolerance , likeSurefire ® Rose . Plant in a location where they will have skillful air circulation to prevent powdery mold .
How to plant:
industrial plant wax begonia graft 6 to 8 inches apart and others accord to their ripe sizing . Tuber can be started indoors by set the tubers , vacuous side up , 1 inch apart in a shallow tray with moist potting mix . station the tray in a dark room and water just enough to keep the potting mix moist , but not soggy . tuber should sprout in about 4 weeks and be moved to an domain with shining visible light once the sprouts are about an column inch marvellous . Only industrial plant out of doors when there is no longer a threat of hoarfrost .
BEGONIA CARE
Wax and rhizomatous begoniasdon’t go abeyant . Lightly snip them in spring ( warm climates ) or fall ( cooler zones ) to uphold compact growth . Before make for them indoors for winter , check for pests or disease . Gradually acclimate them to indoor conditions by starting in a bright window and slowly reduce illumination to avoid leaf drop . In spring , reverse the process and move them back outside .
Tuberous begoniasdie back by nature each year . Begin reduce water in later summer , and pare yellowing foliage in early drop . At the first frost threat , apprehend up the Tuber , gently scavenge off territory , and let them dry out on paper in a sunny position for about a hebdomad . To prevent powdery mildew , dust with sulphur gunpowder and computer memory individually in report bags or wrapped in newspaper .
exemplification by : Olga Akbarova
How to prune begonias:
Soil:
All begonias like evenly moist , well - debilitate land with some added constitutive issue . For container - grown begonias , use a well - drain potting soil with added organic matter to assist retain wet without becoming sloughy .
Amendments and fertilizer:
For general growing purposes , apply a balanced weewee - soluble fertilizer once a month in the growing season . For plants grown stringently for their leafage , like angel offstage , use a fertilizer that is higher in nitrogen .
Watering:
Regular watering is crucial for healthy plant . The soil should continue dampish at all meter , but not too wet , as this can cause rootage bunkum . Water at the base of the flora to keep the foliage dry and prevent leaf pip and fungal diseases .
Winter care:
Begonias can be brought within for overwintering . Put them in a window with brightly filtered lightness and increase the humidness .
Diseases and pests:
Susceptible topowdery mildew , mealybugs , spider mites , thrips , andwhitefly . root word guff and rhizome bunkum can be get by overwatering and soggy grease .
BEGONIA VARIETIES
Photo by : Proven winner
Surefire ® Rose — Buy now from Proven WinnersBegonia benariensis
Zones:10 - 11Height / Spread:12 to 24 inches tall , 18 to 24 in wideExposure : Sun or shadeBloom clock time : Spring until frostColor : Pink flush over dark Green River to bronze leaves
Versatile in Dominicus or refinement and more vigorous than elderly assortment . Surefire ® begonias are lower sustenance too , and do n’t require any deadheading . They can treat some drouth , but will perform their in force with regular watering .
" Surefire Rose begonia is a sun or shade plant - it can handle both — I’ve had it in both conditions . The only thing I ’ve noticed is the bloom color changes slenderly - mystifying rose in shadowiness , and more pink in sun . Both are beautiful . " — Janey , Dig , Plant , Water , repetition
Surefire ® White — Buy now from Proven WinnersBegonia benariensis
Zones:10 - 11Height / Spread:12 to 24 inches tall , 18 to 24 inches wideExposure : Sun or shadeBloom time : fountain until frostColor : White prime over bright unripe foliage
Surefire ® White thrives in both Dominicus and shade across various mood . This downhearted - maintenance , award - win flora blooms continuously without need deadheading , and is staring for container , borderline , or as mass planting .
" They provide easy , low alimony color that persists all season without deadheading . It ’s hard to go awry with such foolproof plant . " — Proven Winners
Dragon Wing ® Red — Buy now from Proven WinnersAngel wing hybrid
Zones:9 - 11Height / Spread:14 to 18 column inch tall and wideExposure : Part shade to shadeBloom meter : Spring until frostColor : crimson flowers , bright gullible foliage
A vigorous and passion - large-minded variety that flowers all summertime . This cane character can be brought within over wintertime as a houseplant . For a softer flower shade , this serial also includes pinkish and snowy selections .
Solenia ® orange red — Buy now from Proven WinnersRieger ( Begoniaxhiemalis )
Zones:9 - 11Height / Spread:8 to 12 inches tall and wideExposure : Partial to full sunBloom time : bounce until frostColor : Scarlet scarlet blossom , green foliation
Prolific , vibrant scarlet , two-fold flowers with ruffled flower petal bloom on mildew - resistive works continuously from planting to frost without needing deadheading . Performs well in both Dominicus and spectre , it makes an excellent makeweight for containers , borders , and border in landscape painting .
Glory WhiteRieger(Begonia x hiemalis )
Zones:9 - 11Height / Spread:12 to 18 column inch tall and wideExposure : Part sun to sunBloom sentence : outflow until frostColor : Creamy white flowers , dark unripe foliation
Also make love as wintertime - flower begonias , Riegers are unremarkably grown as houseplants . They blossom best with short days and cool temperatures , and will often bloom for up to six months .
Pegasus ® —Buy now from Proven WinnersBegoniahybrid
Zones:9 - 11Height / Spread:12 to 18 inch tall , 16 to 18 column inch wideExposure : Part shade to shadeColor : Green foliage with splashes of white
This pick make an exceptional ‘ thriller ’ in container and is also adaptable as a houseplant .
photograph by : Dwi Windaryanto / Shutterstock.com
‘ Escargot’Rex
Zones:10 - 11Height / Spread:6 to 12 inch marvellous and wideExposure : Part tint to shadeBloom time : Early summer until frostColor : pinkish flowers , swirled ash grey and dark green foliage
An passing popular diversity that get to a outstanding houseplant , this begonia gets its name from the unique escargot - like foliage pattern .
Santa Cruz ® Begonia boliviensis
Zones:9 - 11Height / Spread:12 to 16 in magniloquent and wideExposure : Sun or shadeBloom time : fountain until frostColor : Scarlet - orangeness flowers , intermediate immature leave
An center - catching choice for a container ‘ spiller . ’ Shown here glance out from under Illusion ® Emerald Lace honeyed potato vine .
Summerwings ® ApricotTuberous
Zones:9 - 11Height / Spread:8 to 12 inches tall and wideExposure : Part sun to sunBloom time : Spring until frostColor : Apricot flowers , intermediate green foliage
Another heating plant - tolerant variety that flower all summertime . The Summerwings ® series is also available in shades of red , precious coral , wan yellow and white .
Photo by : Bozhena Melnyk / Shutterstock.com
‘ Tiger Paws’Rhizomatous
Zones:10 - 11Height / Spread:10 to 12 in tall and wideExposure : fond sunBloom fourth dimension : SummerColor : Pale pink flowers ; small , umber to bronze - red leaves with bright unripened marking resembling mitt .
A smaller begonia , that is big on colouring . Grows well indoors or out , in containers , hanging basket or prime bed .
DESIGN IDEAS FOR BEGONIAS:
GROWING BEGONIAS AS HOUSEPLANTS
Many begonias make excellent houseplant with the right tutelage . Avoid overwatering - let the territory dry slightly between watering - and boost humidness with a pebble tray . Place near a bright east- or Mae West - facing windowpane , or employ grow lights if natural light is limited . begonia prefer to be slightly root - hold fast , so only repot when necessary , ideally in bound .
search ourindoor begonia care guide — calorie-free , water , and more made simple .
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Cold hardy tuberous begonia ( Begonia grandisvar.evansiana)Photo by : Tim Ludwig / Millette Photomedia
Are begonias poisonous?
begonia are toxic to favorite , with the tuber being the most poisonous part . They are not toxic to humans , although may cause supersensitised reactions . See moreCommon Poisonous Plants for Dogs and Cats .
Are begonias deer resistant?
begonia are cervid resistant .
Do begonias like sun or shade?
Begonias do better in partialshadeor a spot that receive dayspring Lord’s Day and afternoon shadiness , but there are also sort that can tolerate full sun .
Do begonias come back every year?
Only in warm climates . Begonias are affectionate perennial in Zones 9–11 but are usually grown as yearly elsewhere . Tuberous types can total back if you dig up and store the tuber over winter . Wax and cane type can be winter indoors as houseplant .
Do begonias do better in pots or in the ground?
Begonias expand in both pots and the earth , bet on the variety and your growing condition . Potted begonias are ideal for control over dirt , moisture , and clean , while in - earth planting works well in shady , well - drained garden beds . Tuberous and Rex eccentric often prefer containers , while wax and unchewable types do well in beds or borders .
Are there any cold-hardy begonias?
Begonia grandisvarieties are inhuman - hardy plants desirable for zone 6 to 9 . They grow 12 to 18 column inch tall and all-encompassing and thrive in part shade to full shade locating . They ’ll blossom from other summer until Robert Frost with clusters of somewhat fragrant , light pinkish flowers , and they have large heart - form medium dark-green leaves . plant will die back altogether in the declension and reappear in late spring the following twelvemonth .
What are strawberry begonias?
Saxifraga stolonifera , often called strawberry begonia , has a similar folio structure — fuzzy , with unripened and silver variegation and hints of red — but is n’t a dead on target begonia . It spreads like a strawberry mark industrial plant by send out runner , or stolons .
