How to Care for Begonias: Essential Tips

Growing Begonias in Your Garden

Begonias are a popular choice for home gardeners and add bright color and a tropical look to patios, entrances and porches with their showy, often ruffled, flowers and lush foliage. Ideal for containers, hanging baskets and window boxes, these easy-care plants grow best in the shade or partial shade, though some varieties may tolerate some sun. Begonias can also be planted in flower beds and borders. Their blooms are a welcome sign of summer—and they continue flowering until frost in the fall. While your garden visitors will admire their flowers and leaves, deer tend to pass them by. Learn more about how to grow begonias.

Where to Plant Begonias

Begonias are tropical plants that'll grow in zones 3-10 (lift bulbs in the fall in zones 3-7). Though many begonias prefer indirect light, they can often handle some early morning sun or dappled light. An ideal spot in the landscape is somewhere the plants will get some sunshine in the morning and shade in the afternoon.

Wax begonias, sometimes called bedding begonias, are common in flower beds and known for their red, pink or white flowers. They tolerate extended periods of direct sunlight better than other types. The tuberous begonia, which likes more shade and less heat, is prized for its larger flowers, bright colors and foliage. Some are even fragrant.

When to Plant Begonias

For best results, plant begonia tubers in the spring after the last frost. Since begonias are tropical plants, do not set them outdoors until the weather warms and nighttime temperatures are above 60 degrees. If you are planting begonia tubers in the garden, consider planting them indoors and transplanting them to the garden once the weather warms. This way you can make the most of their flowers and foliage.

How to Plant Begonias

Plant begonia tubers about 1 to 2 inches deep and about 10 to 12 inches apart. When choosing a location, ensure it's a spot with partial shade to protect the begonias from harsh sunlight, which can damage their delicate foliage. Before planting, it's beneficial to amend the soil with organic matter to improve drainage and provide essential nutrients. Regular watering is crucial during the growing season, but be cautious not to overwater, as begonias are susceptible to root rot. Adding a layer of mulch can help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds, creating an ideal environment for your begonias to thrive.

Do Begonias Like Sun

While most begonias don't like direct sun, most begonias will tolerate a bit of morning sun or filtered sunlight.

How to Care for Begonias

Begonia foliage emerges weeks after planting—and then come the flowers. Your begonia plant requires regular watering. Keep the soil moist, but don't overwater your begonia plant. You'll always want to fertilize your begonia plant during the growing season.

While begonias look spectacular in hanging baskets, make sure you place your begonia plant where it will be protected from the wind and harsh afternoon sun.

When the weather cools in the fall, begonia plants can be brought indoors as houseplants. You can also lift and store the tubers in a frost-free location in the fall and replant the tubers in the spring.

What are the Signs of Overwatering Begonias?

Indicators of excessive watering in begonias include leaves turning yellow and mushy, which might fall off, wilting despite damp soil, root rot (roots that are slimy and have an unpleasant odor), and persistently wet soil that remains heavy. This occurs as roots are deprived of oxygen in saturated soil, causing decay and preventing water uptake, which results in drooping leaves or edges turning brown and crispy as the issue worsens.

Do You Deadhead Begonias?

Deadheading begonias is recommended to maintain their neat appearance, promote additional blooming, and prevent decay. Although begonias can still bloom without this practice, removing faded flowers by pinching them off at the stem encourages fuller growth and more blossoms.

How to Grow Begonias in Pots

Because of their long flower season and full foliage, begonias shine as container plants. Begonia plants fill and even spill over containers. Begonias prefer growing in light, rich soil with a good concentration of humus, similar to the makeup of potting soil. So it's no surprise the plants tend to thrive in containers. Begonias planted in a pot can be spaced 4-6 inches apart and with the tubers buried hollow-side up. To prevent the soil from drying out, begonias in containers need to be watered more frequently than those planted in the ground. It's important to keep the soil moist but not soggy, otherwise root rot can occur and kill the plants.

How Long do Begonias Last in Pots?

Potted begonias have the potential to thrive for many years, sometimes reaching a decade or longer with proper care. However, numerous popular varieties typically last 2-3 years before becoming leggy, necessitating pruning or replacement. Essential care practices such as annual soil renewal, repotting, and providing winter protection by moving them indoors can greatly extend their lifespan.

How Much Water Do Begonias Need?

When it comes to watering begonias, it is important to always keep the soil moist. It is best to water your begonias every few days or when the soil begins to dry out. Keep in mind that begonias are susceptible to rotting if the soil conditions are too wet or if the plant is overwatered. To prevent water from pooling in the tuber, it is recommended to water around the tuber as opposed to directly atop of it.

What Is the Best Soil for Begonias?

Begonias prefer well-drained soil and will tolerate acidic, sandy, and clay soil, as long as it's well-drained. Because Begonias are highly susceptible to stem and root rotting, it's important that your begonias have a proper drainage system. You can ensure that your begonias aren't exposed to overly wet soil by choosing a lighter potting soil that has extra perlite or by creating your own soil mix of peat moss, perlite, and potting soil. Be sure to use equal parts of each soil type.

Tips for Selecting Begonias

Today's gardeners have many begonia choices, including hanging basket and hardy begonias. Begonia flowers come in a range of bright colors, including red, yellow, pink, orange and white. Some have ruffled flowers and picotee edging. Flowers can be single or double and up to 8 inches across. Begonia leaves are often green, but some varieties have darker leaves. The foliage is often large and sometimes serrated.

Many begonia plants grow up to 12 inches tall, but some begonias grow larger. When selecting begonias, make sure to note their height and spread. This helps you determine what containers to plant them in or how many you'll need for window boxes or flower beds.

Some gardeners will plant a single begonia tuber in a decorative container, while others fill window boxes with several begonias.

If you are planning to plant begonias in hanging baskets or window boxes, or desire a begonia that spills over the container's edge, choose one of our hanging basket begonia varieties.

Want super large flower blooms? Try growing one of our dinnerplate begonias. The flowers are up to 8 inches across.

Like dark leaves and brilliant red flowers? Switzerland Begonia makes a dramatic impact in the garden.

Whichever begonia variety you choose, it's sure to add cheer and color to your summer.

Popular Begonia Types

Wax Begonias

Rex Begonias

Cane Begonias

Tuberous Begonias

Rhizomatous Begonias

Common Begonia Diseases and Pests

Poor drainage or very wet conditions are very harmful to begonias since these conditions cause rotting of begonia stems. Botrytis rot, or bud rot, is a fungal disease that affects the necessary water and nutrient delivery to begonias, often resulting in death. Powdery mildew is another type of fungal disease that cripples the growth of begonias, turning them yellow, and causing them to drop prematurely. Finally, mealybugs and white flies tend to attack indoor begonias but these annoying pests can be stopped by spraying an insecticidal soap and by using a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol to dab the mealybugs.

Planting Video for Begonias