To ensure gorgeous, showy flowers all summer long, follow these tips for planting and growing begonias.
However, there are a few secrets to getting the most out of these big-blooming plants.
Read on for our best begonia care tips and tricks.
Credit:Justin Hancock
Begonias are toxic to pets.
Justin Hancock
Where to Plant Begonias
Begonias are versatile in their light requirements.
Generally, most varieties do well in partial shade, since begonias are naturally a forest understory plant.
Credit: Justin Hancock
But newer wax varieties tolerate full sun, especially those with bronze leaves.
Green-leaved varieties usually need a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade to avoid leaf scorch.
Since they produce lots of seeds, wax begonias spread easily and are considered invasive in Florida.
Credit: Justin Hancock
Space begonias about 12 inches apart in flowerbeds (and a bit closer in containers).
The optimalsoil pH is 5.5 to 6.5.
Be patient after planting, since these beauties take some time to mature.
Credit: Rob Cardillo
You usually won’t see a burst of growth until after the summer heat kicks in.
Light
Most begonia varieties prosper in partial shade.
Wax begonias toleratefull sun, especially those with bronze foliage.
Credit: Jay Wilde
Direct sunlight puts some varieties, such as cane and tuberous begonias, at risk of leaf scorch.
If your garden soil is too heavy, add compost or sand to improve drainage.
When it comes to watering, balance is the key to healthy begonias.
Credit: Justin Hancock
Early morning is the ideal time to give these annuals a drink.
Avoid watering during times of day with intense sunlight, as this often leads to leaf scorch.
Using a soaker hose and watering at the base of your begonias reduces the risk of fungal diseases.
Credit: Denny Schrock
Temperature and Humidity
Most varieties grow best in warm temperatures and humid conditions.
Wax begonias are cold-tender so it’s essential to plant them after the last frost.
Unlike wax begonias, these types won’t thrive in hot, humid conditions, preferring cooler temperatures.
Credit: Justin Hancock
Similarly, rhizomatous begonias like milder climates.
Fertilizer
Begonias need regular fertilization to fuel their barrage of blooms.
After planting, use a fertilizer with equal partsnitrogen, phosphorous, and potassiumdiluted to half-strength.
Credit: Justin Hancock
However, if pretty foliage is your priority, stick with a balanced fertilizer.
Using a granular controlled-release fertilizer will reduce the odds of burning your begonias.
(Rex begonias are particularly prone to this.)
Credit: Graham Jimerson
Then begin using a balanced or low-nitrogen formula.
However, periodically prune the plants, especially if they become leggy.
Simply pinch the stems back to the first or second healthy bud.
Credit: Justin Hancock
Fresh growth will occur at this pinch point, yielding a burst of new flowers and foliage.
Pests and Problems
Begonias are generally tough, but prone to a few insects and diseases.
Remember that caring for begonias properly goes a long way toward preventing problems from occurring in the first place.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Pests
Pests aren’t a major problem for begonias.
However, they attractmealybugs, spider mites, thrips, scale insects,slugs, and snails.
This fungus usually spreads via splashing, so keep the leaves dry when you water an infected plant.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Pythium root and stem rot, resulting from a fungus-like organism, may also affect begonias.
In mature plants, the stems nearest the soil may become darker colored and waterlogged, eventually collapsing.
This is also linked to overwatering.
Credit: Cynthia Haynes
Here are two methodsfromstem cuttingsandfrom seeds.
Check the plant tag, nursery catalog, or seed packet before propagating.
Their flowers may be single or double, and come in multiple shades on the white-to-red spectrum.
Credit:Better Homes and Gardens
They either grow upright or as a trailing plant.
Rieger begonias are a cross between wax and tuberous varieties, producing large, eye-catching blossoms atop green leaves.
Expect pretty groupings of dangling flowers with wing-shaped leaves, earning this variety the name angel wing begonias.
Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
These are often grown as houseplants.
This double-flowering shade plant has pendulous apricot flowers, perfect for hanging baskets.
This variety reaches 14 inches tall and 2 feet wide.
This series also includes delightful blush and bright pink varieties.
It grows 18 inches tall and 12 inches wide.
Another favorite from this series is ‘Big Red with Green Leaf.’
It’s especially well-suited to containers.
It grows 7 inches tall and wide.
Dark green foliage creates gorgeous contrast.
If you’d like more color, try ‘Doublet Rose’ from the same series.
‘Mandalay Pearl’
‘Mandalay Pearl’ is derived from the tuberous begoniaBegonia boliviensis.
It produces airy white blossoms all summer longno matter how hot it getsand thrives in full sun.
This sprawling plant grows 12 inches tall and 30 inches wide.
‘Sprint Scarlet’
Begonia semperflorens’Spring Scarlet' offers large red flowers that stand out against medium-green leaves.
This compact plant grows 8 inches tall and wide.
It grows 8 inches tall and wide.
It tolerates both sun and shade, making it well-suited to almost any landscape.
These aptly named plants tower at 24 to 30 inches.
Impatiens
Impatiensare a reliable addition to annual shade gardens, promising eye-popping color all season long.
Lobelia
Few hues can compete with the intense blues oflobelia.
Or recruit the cascading variety to add a sapphire waterfall to your window boxes or pots.
Wishbone Flower
Wishbone floweralso goes by “clown flower” since its blossoms resemble a cartoonish face.
Wishbone flower thrives in shade and blooms nonstop until frost.
This garden plan requires four angel wing begonias.
Shade-loving perennials anchor this garden design, while four wax begonias add interest around the rocks.
But you might be able to overwinter them indoors and replant them in the spring.
A begonia that comes back for a second year is a perennial.
This is rather rare, as the life cycle of most begonias ends with the first fall frosts.
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