If you’ve looked around your local garden center recently, you’ll find that there are so many new varieties of begonias to choose from. In addition to the little wax begonias that do so well as bedding plants, there are also the lovely dragon-wing begonias, trailing begonias, angel wing begonias, showy tuberous begonias, begonia rex, and the list goes on.
You can find them being used in window boxes, hanging baskets, garden beds, and even container gardens. Bringing this beautiful plant with green foliage and near nonstop blooming flowers (in its growing season) can be done by any homeowner. Here’s what you need to know about growing different types of begonias.
Begonia Care Basics
Begonias are tropical perennials, which means that in frost-free climates, they can live (and sometimes bloom) all year-round. They like the conditions that appeal to many tropical plants.
Begonias tend to prefer a bright spot with a little sun protection. Morning sun (and a little afternoon shade) is perfect. Wax begonias can tolerate more sun than other types, and the ones with bronze-colored leaves are the most sun-tolerant of all. Tuberous begonias prefer more shade and less heat, so we often see them on display in late summer.
You should use light, rich, humusy soil. Begonias are great for containers because they love the light texture of potting mix. As bedding plants, they’ll appreciate some compost mixed into the soil. These plants like to be moist, but they’ll rot if kept too soggy.
Give your begonias a light feeding about once a month using a balanced organic fertilizer. Begonias will die if exposed to cold temperatures, so bring them indoors when temperatures start dropping into the 50s F overnight. Also, pinch back leggy stems and deadhead spent flowers to keep your begonias in top shape.
Different Types of Begonias
If you think you know what begonias look like, think again. There are many types of begonias, with different leaf shapes, colors, and growth habits. Some look more like trailing ivy than a begonia, and others will wow you with spectacularly patterned leaves or huge, rose-like blossoms. Begonias are categorized both by their growth habit and their root systems.
Various types of begonias are commonly described using terms including: cane-line, fibrous,hardy, rhizomatous, semperflorens, shrublike, thick-stemmed, and trailing.
How to Grow Different Types of Begonias
There aren’t many differences in growing begonias as a perennial versus an annual. If you want to grow begonias as an annual (planted in the spring and taken out in the fall). Some varieties are more sun-tolerant than others, but for the most part you can simply pick the one you like best. Give them bright light, a little sun protection in the heat of the day, and regular water, and enjoy.
The differences in what type of begonia you choose become important if you decide to grow them year-round. It’s quite easy to keep begonias over the winter, but different types need a little different attention.
These include the semperflorens (or wax begonias), cane-like begonias, dragon-wings, and other varieties. These plants have a root ball with thin, stringy roots. Most begonias will keep growing and blooming all year if you bring them inside before the first frost and in a bright window. After bringing them in, be sure to keep them wet, and keep fertilizing them.
If you look at the soil surface, you’ll see the fleshy stems and roots creeping along and peeking out of the soil of rhizomatous begonias. Like fibrous-rooted begonias, these types are easy to keep as houseplants. They’re mostly grown for their foliage, but some varieties will even bloom in the winter.
These varieties are the showiest of all begonias. They are usually rhizomatous and will continue growing indoors in the winter, but they need more humidity, moisture, and fertilizer than other varieties.
Tuberous begonias have a fleshy, round tuberous root — similar to a potato — and bloom in late summer and fall. Tuberous begonias go dormant in the winter, so they won’t stay green as houseplants. Instead, in early fall (before the first frost), dig up the tubers and store them in a cool, dry place for the winter. Next spring, after all danger of frost has passed, replant them in pots or outdoors. For more information about overwintering tuberous begonias, check out our article on how to store tender bulbs over the winter.
This variety of tuberous begonia is hardy to zone six and is commonly grown as a perennial in southern gardens. You’ll sometimes find hardy begonias at garden centers, but more commonly they’re passed from gardener to gardener. If you have this sweet, pink flower in your garden, all you have to do is watch it grow big and make new sprouts for all your friends. You might want to check out other shade-tolerant flowers you can plant.
How to Identify Different Types of Begonias
If you don’t know what kind of begonia you have, here’s how to find out. Bring your begonia indoors in early fall, and see what happens (tuberous begonias will start dying back as the days get shorter).
You can also gently dig up your begonia and look at the roots. Fibrous-rooted begonias will look stringy; rhizomatous will have creeping surface stems and roots; and tuberous begonias have a round, flattened brown tuber. Once you know what type you have, either repot them or store the tubers.
Growing Begonias: Final Thoughts
Begonias can look drastically different, and taking care of various types can at first seem daunting.
Growing begonias can be beginner-friendly, however, so no need to fear. They prefer the came conditions as tropical plants do. Homeowners and renters alike often keep tropical plants as houseplants, so a begonia can fit right into your plant care regiment.
Begonias prefer direct light, being mindful to give them some shade during the hottest parts of the day. Use a light soil and be sure to keep it moist. Fertilize your begonias about once a month and they should grow and bloom happily for you.
FAQs About Growing Different Varieties of Begonia
Are Begonias Perennials or Annuals?
Begonias can be either perennials or annuals, depending on the species and the climate where they are grown. Most are naturally perennial plants, but are typically grown as annuals or houseplants in colder climates. For example, tuberous begonias are often treated as annuals, but their tubers can be stored over winter. Wax begonias can be perennial in warm climates but annual in colder climates, and rex begonias are grown as houseplants or annuals.
Can begonias take full sun?
Most prefer partial shade, but a few begonia varieties can tolerate full sun, including wax begonias and dragon-wing begonias. Cultivars that need partial sun to full shade include rex begonias, tuberous begonias, and most rhizomatous begonias.
That said, morning sun and afternoon shade are ideal for many begonias. It’s important to remember that begonias in sunnier spots will need more frequent watering than those in spots with more shade. And, even sun-tolerant begonias may struggle in fierce, direct sunlight, especially in hot climates. Observe your plants and adjust their placement if they show signs of stress.
What are some care tips for begonias?
Relatively low-maintenance, begonia plants can be beginner-friendly. Most prefer bright, indirect light, or partial shade, but some varieties can tolerate more sun, especially in cooler climates. Water your begonia when the top inch of soil feels dry, and be sure to use a well-drained soil.
Most begonias like higher humidity, and you can mist their leaves or use a pebble tray or indoor begonia. Fertilize every 2–4 weeks during the growing season, but stop fertilizing in the winter. Other begonia care includes pruning (removing dead or yellowing leaves), and repotting annually or when the roots become crowded. You should also watch for pests like aphids, and properly care for your plant in the winter by either storing the tubes or drastically reducing watering.
