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Begoniasare perfect for a long-blooming splash of color on shady porches.
Begonias thrive in part shade and appreciate evenly moist, fertile soils.
Their roots are toxic to some animals.
The Spruce / Jayme Burrows
Learn about the many differenttypes of begoniasand how to grow them with our comprehensive care guide.
Some types, like wax begonias, will flower consistently in full sun.
Indoors, begonias appreciate a position in bright but indirect light.
The Spruce / Jayme Burrows
Too much sun can wilt the delicate petals or cause the foliage colors to fade.
Soil
Begonias thrive in porous, slightly acidic,humusy soil.
Excellent drainage is a must.
The Spruce / Jayme Burrows
Peat-based soils with plenty of organic matter, includingleaf mold, are good.
Potting mixes forAfrican violetsare a convenient option.
Water
Water your begonia thoroughly once the top inch of the soil is dry.
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While these plants appreciate even moisture to produce the best blooms, avoid overwatering begonias.
Soggy soils can lead toroot rot.
Most varieties won’t tolerate temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Being tropical plants, begonias like some humidity (typically, just under 50%).
Keep garden begonias sheltered, as high winds can damage their fragile flowers and foliage.
Indoor vs.
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Outdoor Care Differences
While shadier conditions are preferred outdoors, bright filtered light is best for indoor begonias.
The cascading clusters of flowers are usually white, red, or pink.
The polka dot begonia (Begonia maculata) is one of the most well-known and striking species.
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It features narrow, deep green leaves with silver spots and pale pink flowers.
They grow easily from seed and arepopular houseplantsand annual bedding plants.
They also handle heat and drought conditions better than some other begonia varieties.
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This large group of adaptable, cool-temperature begonias can grow outdoors all year if winters are particularly mild.
If they have striking foliage patternation, they often require higher humidity.
Unlike many other begonia varieties, they are prized for their large flowers rather than their foliage.
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They often have a trailing habit, making them idealflowers for hanging baskets.
When pruning begonias for shape, don’t cut off too much of the stem.
Otherwise, the plant will need a lot of energy to recover.
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Instead, take off only the top portion of the stem directly above a growing node or bud.
They should begin sprouting new growth in a few weeks.
Potting and Repotting
Begonias grow well in containers with good drainage, indoors and outdoors.
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To keep them thriving, they need regular repotting to give the creeping tubers or rhizomes room to grow.
Don’t go too large with your new pot.
One around 2 inches bigger in diameter should be enough.
If the pot holds too much potting soil, your begonia will struggle to take up water quickly enough.
Leaving the soil soggy for too long encourages root rot.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Generally speaking, begonias are not bothered by many pests or diseases.
Root rot can occur due to overwatering, as can stem rot or powdery mildew.
However, be careful when removing pests, as begonia foliage can be sensitive toinsecticidal soaps.
It’s always best to test on an individual leaf first.
When you are ready to remove the tubers, you want the soil to be completely dry.
you might replant the tubers in the spring.
When kept indoors, they’re capable of blooming nonstop, depending on the variety.
Be sure you’re following care instructions for the specific punch in of begonia you have.
What Do Begonia Flowers Look Like?
How to Encourage More Bloom
Using fertilizer regularly can help keep begonias blooming.
The trick is to apply with a light touch, using diluted liquid fertilizer.
Never apply fertilizer when the soil is dry.
Regular deadheading is also essential to promote maximum blooms.
Move to indirect light or partial shade.
Ensure optimum growing conditions to encourage bloom.
Begonias prefer partial to full shade, or indirect sunlight.
Too much direct sunlight can cause their flowers to wilt or fade.
The exception to this are some wax begonia cultivars, which can thrive in full sun.
Begonias are a tropical plant and will only live through the winter in a very warm climate.
The exception is the hardy begonia which can live in USDA Zones 6-9.
But some types of begonias can live year round indoors.
Generally speaking begonias don’t spread very rapidly.
The rhizomatous begonias (such as Rex begonias) will spread slightly faster than fibrous or hardy begonias.
