Begonia

A shade-tolerant annual with waxy leaves and continuous blooms, ideal for brightening dim garden spots and containers. Begonias thrive in rich, moist soil with good drainage and prefer morning sun with afternoon shade to prevent leaf scorch. Wax begonias are the most commonly grown type, but tuberous varieties offer larger, showier flowers in a wider color range. Avoid overhead watering to prevent powdery mildew and remove spent blooms occasionally, though many modern varieties are self-cleaning.

Begonia seeds are exceptionally tiny, even smaller than petunia seeds. Start twelve to sixteen weeks before the last frost by sprinkling seeds on the surface of finely sifted, moist seed-starting mix. Do not cover, as seeds need light to germinate. Cover trays with clear plastic and maintain 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Germination takes fourteen to twenty-one days. Growth is slow initially. Transplant seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle. Tuberous begonias are more commonly started from dormant tubers, set hollow side up in trays of moist peat moss six to eight weeks before the last frost.

The Season Plate

Your Begonia Year

Composed for Zone 7 · typical seasons · frost passes Apr 2, returns Nov 1

Sow Begonia Apr – May, pick Jun – Oct. Set your climate below and every date on this plate re-times itself.

Sowing window

Apr – May

re-timed to your frost dates

Plant out

after Apr 2

once frost risk has passed

First picking

around Jun 14

≈ 60 days from sowing · 15-30 large per plant

Composed for —ColdTemperateMildWarmUse my locationUsed once to set your season · only the zone is kept

Week-by-week Begonia reminders watering, feeding and pruning, timed to your dates

In the app

Frost alerts for your garden a warning before a cold night costs you the crop

In the app

Succession sowing dates so the picking never gaps mid-season

In the app

Keep my dates — free for 7 daysWe nudge you as each window opens · cancel anytime

Begonias are warm-season plants that should not be set outdoors until nighttime temperatures consistently remain above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Choose a location with morning sun and afternoon shade, or dappled light throughout the day. Prepare beds with rich, well-drained soil amended with compost and peat moss to provide the moist, humus-rich conditions begonias prefer. Space wax begonias eight to twelve inches apart and tuberous types twelve to fifteen inches apart.

Water begonias consistently, keeping the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged. Water at the base of plants to keep foliage dry, as wet leaves are prone to powdery mildew and botrytis. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every two to three weeks during the growing season, or use a slow-release granular fertilizer at planting time.

Wax begonias are largely self-cleaning and require minimal deadheading. Tuberous begonias benefit from removing spent flowers and pinching off the two smaller female blooms flanking each large male flower to direct energy into the showiest blooms. In fall before frost, dig tuberous begonia tubers, dry them for a few days, and store in dry peat moss at 50 degrees Fahrenheit over winter.

Begonias excel as shade garden companions alongside hostas, ferns, impatiens, and caladiums. Their waxy, colorful foliage provides visual interest even when not in bloom. In containers, pair with trailing lobelia, ivy, and sweet potato vine for a layered display. Wax begonias work well as border edging plants alongside shade-loving perennials. Their continuous bloom fills the gap between spring and fall flowering perennials in partially shaded borders.

The Society Table

Pansy belongs beside it. Fennel doesn't.

Old growers' knowledge, checked against Begonia's real companion table below — test any plant you're growing.

Grows well in the company of · 3

PansyPetuniaGeranium

Keep apart · 1

Fennel

Plant Begonia with good neighboursThe planner flags conflicts before they're in the ground

Begonias require rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. They prefer soil high in organic matter, so amend beds generously with compost, peat moss, or leaf mold. In containers, use a premium peat-based potting mix with added perlite for drainage. Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every two to three weeks during the growing season. Tuberous begonias are heavier feeders than wax types and benefit from a high-potassium fertilizer as flowering begins to promote larger blooms.

Ideal Temperature

Hardiness Zone Compatibility

Begonia flowers are primarily enjoyed in the garden and container displays rather than as cut flowers. However, tuberous begonia blooms can be floated in shallow bowls of water for elegant tabletop displays. Deadhead tuberous begonias by pinching off spent male flowers and the small female flowers on either side of the showy male bloom. Wax begonias are self-cleaning and rarely need deadheading. At season's end, dig tuberous begonia tubers before frost for winter storage.

Storage & Preservation

Tuberous begonia tubers should be dug after the first light frost, when foliage begins to yellow. Allow the stems to dry and fall off naturally, then brush soil from tubers and cure in a warm, dry place for one to two weeks. Store in dry peat moss or vermiculite at 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit through winter. Check periodically for rot and discard affected tubers. Wax begonias can be potted up before frost and grown as houseplants on a bright windowsill through winter, returning them outdoors the following spring.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Leaf scorch from direct afternoon sun is the most common problem, causing brown, crispy leaf edges. Move affected plants to a shadier location or provide afternoon shade. Overwatering causes stem rot and is more common than underwatering as a cause of plant death. Leggy, sparse wax begonias result from too much shade, while tuberous types become lanky without adequate pinching. Begonias are sensitive to cold and should not be planted outdoors until temperatures are reliably warm.

Growing Tips

1. Always plant tuberous begonia tubers with the concave or hollow side facing up, as this is where the growth buds emerge. Place them just below the soil surface in moist peat-based compost and keep warm until shoots appear.
2. Avoid overhead watering begonias, as wet foliage is highly susceptible to powdery mildew and botrytis blight. Water at the base of the plant in the morning so any splashed moisture can dry before evening.
3. Provide bright indirect light or dappled shade for most begonia varieties. Direct afternoon sun will scorch the leaves, but too little light causes leggy, sparse growth with reduced flowering.
4. Use a well-draining potting mix composed of equal parts peat moss, perlite, and quality potting soil. Begonias are extremely sensitive to waterlogged conditions, which quickly leads to root rot and stem collapse.
5. Pinch out the small single female flowers that appear alongside the larger double male blooms on tuberous begonias. This redirects the plant's energy into producing fewer but much larger and more impressive display flowers.
6. Maintain humidity levels between 50-70% for indoor begonias by grouping plants together, using pebble trays filled with water, or running a cool-mist humidifier nearby. Avoid misting the leaves directly.
7. Propagate wax and angel-wing begonias from stem cuttings taken in spring or early summer. Cut 8-10 cm sections with at least two nodes, remove the lower leaves, and root in moist perlite or a glass of water.
8. Rex begonias can be propagated from individual leaf cuttings by scoring the main veins on the underside of a mature leaf, pinning it flat on moist propagation mix, and covering with a clear dome to maintain humidity until plantlets emerge.
9. Stake tall angel-wing and cane-type begonias early in the season using bamboo stakes or small trellises. Their brittle stems snap easily under the weight of foliage and flowers, especially after watering or during wind.
10. Fertilize begonias every two weeks during the active growing season with a water-soluble balanced fertilizer diluted to half strength. Switch to a higher-phosphorus formula once flower buds begin forming to encourage abundant blooms.