Begonias are beloved for their diverse beauty, offering both stunning flowers and strikingly patterned leaves. These semi-tropical and tropical plants are a popular choice for adding color and interest to gardens and homes. Versatile and adaptable, begonias thrive in beds, borders, containers, and even as indoor houseplants, especially in shade gardens.
Originating from Central and South America, Asia, and Africa, begonias are particularly valued for their ability to flourish in low light conditions, making them ideal for brightening up those less sunny areas. This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the essential information on Begonia Care, from planting to ongoing maintenance, ensuring your begonias thrive and bring joy to your space.
Understanding the Types of Begonias
The begonia family is incredibly diverse, with various types each possessing unique characteristics. Knowing the type of begonia you have is the first step in providing proper begonia care. Here are some of the most common types:
Wax Begonias ( Begonia semperflorens-cultorum): Recognizable by their waxy, green or bronze foliage and clusters of white, pink, or red flowers. Wax begonias are compact, typically growing 6 to 12 inches tall and wide. Their neat growth habit makes them perfect for bedding plants and mass plantings.
Rhizomatous Begonias: These begonias are distinguished by their rhizomes, which are stems that grow horizontally along or just beneath the soil surface. New growth emerges directly from these rhizomes. Rhizomatous begonias are prized for their spectacular foliage, which comes in a vast array of colors, textures, shapes, and intricate patterns.
Tuberous Begonias ( Begonia × tuberhybrida): Growing from tubers, these begonias are known for their large, showy, and often double flowers in vibrant colors. They typically go dormant in the winter. Tuberous begonias often have a trailing growth habit, making them excellent choices for hanging baskets and containers where their blooms can cascade beautifully.
Cane Begonias: Characterized by their upright, cane-like stems, cane begonias can grow quite tall. This group includes popular varieties like Angel Wing begonias, known for their uniquely shaped and often speckled foliage resembling angel wings.
Rex Begonias ( Begonia rex-cultorum): Often called painted-leaf begonias, Rex begonias are primarily grown for their extraordinarily ornamental foliage. Their leaves exhibit a stunning variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, including shades of red, pink, purple, green, silver, and burgundy, often with intricate patterns and textures.
Planting Begonias for Success
Proper planting is crucial for healthy begonia growth. Here’s a step-by-step guide to planting begonias effectively:
Timing: Wait until the danger of frost has passed and nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50°F (10°C) before planting begonias outdoors.
Location: Choose a planting location that offers well-draining soil and protection from harsh afternoon sun, especially in hotter climates. Begonia light requirements vary depending on the type, with some tolerating more sun than others. Generally, partial shade is ideal.
Soil Preparation: Begonias thrive in rich, well-draining soil. Amend the planting area with compost or other organic matter to improve soil fertility and drainage.
Planting Steps:
- Loosen the soil: Prepare the planting bed by loosening the soil to a depth of about 12 inches.
- Dig the hole: Dig a hole that is slightly wider and as deep as the begonia’s root ball.
- Remove from pot: Gently remove the begonia plant from its nursery pot. If the roots are tightly packed (pot-bound), gently tease them apart to encourage outward growth.
- Position the plant: Place the begonia plant in the center of the hole, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil surface.
- Backfill: Fill the hole with soil, gently tamping it down to eliminate air pockets.
- Water thoroughly: Water the newly planted begonia deeply to settle the soil and provide initial moisture.
- Spacing: Space begonias 6 to 18 inches apart, depending on the mature size of the specific variety.
Essential Begonia Care Tips
Consistent and proper care will ensure your begonias flourish and display their vibrant beauty. Here are key aspects of begonia care to focus on:
Soil: Begonias need well-draining, rich soil. For container-grown begonias, use a high-quality, all-purpose potting mix. Ensure that pots have adequate drainage holes to prevent waterlogging, which can lead to root rot.
Watering: Maintaining the right moisture level is crucial in begonia care. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Begonias have some drought tolerance once established but thrive with regular moisture. Overwatering is a more common problem and can lead to root rot. It’s best to water at the base of the plant, avoiding wetting the leaves as much as possible to minimize the risk of fungal diseases like powdery mildew.
Fertilizing: Begonias are moderate feeders and benefit from regular fertilization, especially during their active growing season. Apply a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer at planting time. Alternatively, use a liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength and apply it monthly during the growing season. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to leggy growth and fewer flowers.
Pruning and Deadheading: Begonias generally require minimal pruning. Pinching back stem tips can encourage bushier growth if plants become leggy. Many begonia varieties are self-cleaning, meaning they naturally drop their spent flowers. Deadheading (removing faded flowers) is usually not necessary for continuous blooming, but removing any dead or damaged leaves can keep the plant looking tidy and healthy.
Overwintering: Begonias are not frost-hardy and need protection in colder climates.
- Overwintering Begonias Indoors: Before the first frost, bring potted begonias indoors. Place them in a bright window with indirect light. Reduce watering during the winter months, keeping the soil just slightly moist.
- Overwintering Tuberous Begonias: Tuberous begonias go dormant in the winter. After the foliage dies back in the fall, carefully dig up the tubers. Clean off excess soil and allow them to dry slightly. Store tubers in a cool, dry, and dark place, such as a basement or garage, in peat moss or sawdust to prevent drying out completely. The optimal storage temperature is around 50°F (10°C). In early spring, repot the tubers in fresh potting soil and begin watering lightly. Once temperatures are consistently above 50°F (10°C) at night, you can move them back outdoors.
Recommended Begonia Varieties
Explore these outstanding Proven Winners® begonia varieties to add exceptional color and texture to your garden or containers:
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Double Up™ Red Begonia (Begonia semperflorens): A vigorous wax begonia known for its double, lipstick-red flowers and dark burgundy-green foliage. This sun and shade tolerant variety is self-cleaning and ideal for mixed-light areas.
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Double Up™ Pink Begonia (Begonia semperflorens): Features vibrant double pink blooms that beautifully contrast with glossy dark green leaves. Its dense, vigorous growth and continuous summer blooming make it a low-maintenance choice for beds and containers.
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Double Up™ White Begonia (Begonia semperflorens): Offers pristine white double flowers against dark burgundy-green foliage. Its compact habit and prolific blooming make it perfect for edging, borders, and mass plantings.
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Surefire® Red Begonia (Begonia benariensis): Grows larger than typical wax begonias, with bigger, rich red flowers and glossy dark green foliage. Its dramatic presence makes it excellent for mass plantings and containers.
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Surefire® Rose Begonia (Begonia benariensis): Showcases large, deep pink flowers and dark reddish-brown foliage on tall, robust plants. Sun and shade tolerant, it blooms continuously and works well as a thriller in containers or mass plantings.
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Surefire® White Begonia (Begonia benariensis): Performs well in various conditions, from sun to shade, with bright green foliage complementing pure white flowers. Its self-cleaning nature ensures low-maintenance color in borders, mass plantings, and containers.
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Surefire® Cherry Cordial™ Begonia (Begonia x hybrida): Distinctive for its dark purple, almost black foliage and bright red flowers, creating striking contrast. Its compact, spreading habit and continuous blooms are perfect for beds, borders, and containers.
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Double Delight® Blush Rose Begonia (Begonia tuberhybrida): A fragrant tuberous begonia with warm pastel coral-pink and yellow double flowers. Its trailing habit is ideal for hanging baskets, and tubers can be overwintered.
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Double Delight® Primrose Begonia (Begonia tuberhybrida): A yellow begonia with apricot accents and fragrant double flowers. Perfect for patio planters and hanging baskets due to its sturdy trailing stems; tubers can also be overwintered.
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Proven Accents® Pegasus Begonia (Begonia hybrid): Valued for its unique, dissected dark green foliage with silver patterns. It makes a captivating display in beds or as a thriller in combination containers. Can be overwintered indoors as a houseplant.
Frequently Asked Questions About Begonia Care
Are begonias perennials?
Begonias are tender perennials, hardy in USDA Zones 9-11, meaning they are perennial in frost-free climates. In colder zones, they are typically grown as annuals unless overwintered indoors.
Do begonias prefer sun or shade?
Begonias are adaptable to various light conditions but generally thrive in partial shade. While they can tolerate full sun, especially in cooler climates, protection from intense afternoon sun is crucial in warmer regions to prevent leaf scorch. Darker-leaved varieties can usually handle more sun than green-leaved types.
Will begonias bloom every year?
In frost-free areas, begonias can live and bloom outdoors year after year. In colder climates, they will bloom annually during the growing season if properly cared for. Overwintering indoors allows you to enjoy them for multiple years.
How do I encourage continuous blooming in begonias?
To maximize begonia blooms, ensure they receive adequate water, regular fertilization, and optimal light conditions. Consistent care is key to prolonged flowering.
Can begonias tolerate full sun?
While some begonias can tolerate full morning sun, most prefer partial shade, especially during the hottest part of the day. In northern areas with milder summers, full sun is more tolerable.
Creative Ways to Use Begonias in Your Landscape
Begonias offer endless possibilities for adding beauty to both outdoor and indoor spaces. Here are some inspiring ideas:
- Mass Plantings: Create a stunning visual impact by mass planting wax begonias in a semi-shaded bed for continuous color throughout the summer.
- Hanging Baskets: Showcase the cascading beauty of tuberous begonias in hanging baskets on porches or patios for a welcoming display.
- Edging and Borders: Use compact wax begonias to edge shaded pathways or borders, providing low-maintenance color from spring until frost.
- Container Combinations: Combine begonias with other warm-season annuals in decorative containers to brighten up porches, patios, balconies, or decks.
- Shade Garden Accents: Brighten up dark areas under shade trees by mass planting shade-loving begonias.
- Foliage Interest: Utilize the striking foliage of Rex begonias as a focal point in containers, beds, and borders, adding textural and color contrast.
- Window Boxes: Create vibrant window box displays by combining begonias with other shade-tolerant annuals like wishbone flower, coleus, lobelia, and sweet potato vine.
- Thriller, Filler, Spiller Arrangements: Incorporate upright begonias as “thrillers” and trailing types as “spillers” in mixed container arrangements for a dynamic effect.
- Indoor Houseplants: Bring the beauty of begonias indoors as houseplants to add cheer to tables, shelves, or desktops, especially during the winter months.
Companion Plants for Begonias
Enhance your begonia displays by pairing them with plants that share similar growing requirements for partial sun, rich well-draining soil, and regular watering.
For Hanging Baskets, consider combining Double Delight® tuberous begonias with:
- Fuchsias
- Impatiens
- Lobelia
For Beds and Borders, mass Double Up™ wax begonias alongside:
- Coleus
- Impatiens
- ferns
- Hostas
For Decorative Containers, plant Surefire® hybrid begonias with:
- Caladiums
- Torenia (Wishbone Flower)
- Creeping Jenny
By following these begonia care guidelines, you can enjoy the beauty and versatility of these wonderful plants in your garden and home. Whether you’re drawn to their vibrant flowers or their striking foliage, begonias are sure to bring lasting appeal to your green spaces.
