N
The Global Insight

Where should I plant begonias bedding

Author

Ava White

Updated on April 14, 2026

Where to Plant Begonias. Wax begonias do best in part shade, particularly during the summer months, but will do well in full sun when planted over the winter as a perennial. Use these compact plants in borders and/or to mass plant in a flower bed. For best results plant begonias in rich, moist, well-drained soil.

Where is the best place to put begonias?

Where to Plant Begonias. Wax begonias do best in part shade, particularly during the summer months, but will do well in full sun when planted over the winter as a perennial. Use these compact plants in borders and/or to mass plant in a flower bed. For best results plant begonias in rich, moist, well-drained soil.

Do bedding begonias like full sun?

Begonias grow well in dappled or partial shade – avoid south-facing spots as the foliage can burn in direct sunlight. If you’re growing begonias in a greenhouse, shading may be required. Tuberous begonias are ideal for growing in pots and hanging baskets.

Where should I plant begonias in my garden?

Tuberous begonias can be grown in the ground under trees or in shady parts of your garden, or in containers placed in shady areas of your porch, patio, or yard. Staking: Trailing varieties of tuberous begonias are meant to creep, so they do not need staking.

Is begonia an outdoor plant?

Often grown in containers indoors, begonias also can be grown outdoors during the frost-free months. If you live in a region that doesn’t experience freezing winter temperatures or frosts, keep the begonia tubers in the ground year-round. Select a planting site for your begonias in partial shade.

How far apart should I plant begonias?

Plant wax begonia transplants 6 to 8 inches apart and others according to their mature size. Tubers can be started indoors by placing the tubers, hollow side up, 1 inch apart in a shallow tray with moist potting mix.

Do begonias need a trellis?

Even though the plant stems appear thick and strong, it is very necessary to provide some additional support for those stems so that the weight of the blooms and gravity don’t cause the stems to topple and snap away from the tuber. I provide each plant with a sturdy stake or sometimes two.

How long do begonias last outside?

In zones 8a and cooler, begonias are annual plants. If you live in a cooler zone, plant them out once nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50ºF and enjoy your plants until the first fall frost hits. If you happen to live in a zone 8b to 11, your begonias should be able to last outside all year round.

Do begonias spread out?

Sometimes called fibrous begonia, these deer-resistant, non-invasive plants form small clumps that grow anywhere from 6 to 18 inches tall and spread 6 to 12 inches.

Are begonias annuals or perennials?

They are grown as bedding plants in spring, similar to marigolds, impatiens and petunias. Although they are perennial in a warmer climate, most gardeners treat them as annual flowers. Tuberous begonias are probably the second-most popular outdoor begonia for gardeners.

Article first time published on

Do you have to deadhead begonias?

Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 6 through 11, depending on the cultivar, begonias (Begonia spp.) do not require deadheading to thrive. Rather they self-clean by dropping spent flowers on their own, says the University of Illinois Extension.

What month do begonias flower?

Begonias grow in moist, shady gardens where they have well-drained soil, wind protection and filtered or indirect sunlight. A typical blooming season starts in June and ends with the first frost. They are so easy to grow that a broken stem or leaf stalk stuck in soil often roots as a new plant.

Do begonias come back every year UK?

Although often sold as half-hardy annuals, most Begonias varieties are actually perennials. However, they are not at all frost hardy. The following article will give you advice on bedding begonias over-winter within the UK. … Tuberous rooted begonias are prone to attack by Vine Weevil grub during the Summer.

How do you care for begonias outside?

Outdoors, rex begonias like part- to deep shade, ordinary potting soil, and water when the top inch or so of the soil is dry. Give them a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month, or add granular timed-release fertilizer to the potting soil at planting time. Avoid misting the leaves; alkaline water just desiccates them.

How many begonias are in a hanging basket?

When planting up hanging baskets, allow 3 tubers for each 12” basket. Immediately after potting, water well and then grow them on in bright, frost-free conditions, watering only when the compost gets quite dry.

What do you do with begonias in the winter?

Tuberous begonias should be dug up and stored indoors during winter until the return of warmer weather in spring. Begonias can be dug up in fall once foliage has faded or just after the first light frost. Spread begonia clumps on newspaper and leave them in a sunny area until thoroughly dry — about a week.

Do begonias multiply?

Begonia tubers can be forced to propagate by dividing stem and tuber cuttings and will propagate on their own by seeding and by naturalization in the landscape. … Even under the best circumstances, begonias can be finicky to propagate and the failure rate can be quite high.

Do begonias do well in hanging baskets?

Most varieties of begonias grow great in sun or shade, making them a great choice for a hanging basket. Begonias are great for providing a full, drooping effect to your hanging basket.

How do you keep begonias blooming?

Select a location receiving more direct morning or evening sunlight than mid day sun. Early morning / late day sunlight is much cooler with less intense rays. By keeping begonias out of the mid-day direct sun, the plants have less stress, and will produce more blooms.

Can I plant begonias close together?

Wax begonias grow their best and fullest when the soil is moist and fertile and in partial sunlight. … Thus, in sandy soil you may choose to space wax begonias slightly closer together to create a denser display, such as 6 to 10 inches apart.

How do I make my begonia Bushy?

General Pruning Pinch the stems back to the first or second healthy bud from the tip. You can repeat this process two or three times at about four week intervals to encourage maximum bushiness. Pinching forces the begonia to branch at the pinch point, resulting in more stems, leaves and flowers.

What do begonias symbolize?

Begonias are traditionally symbolic of uniqueness, harmony, gratitude, or caution. In addition, begonias of different colors come with their own importance. These subtropical flowers can be given on an anniversary, as a congratulatory gift, or as a way to say “thank you” to someone.

Can I leave begonias in the ground over winter?

Leaving Begonias In The Ground As long as the type of begonia you have is hardy in your climate, then you can overwinter them right in the ground. If they have tubers, then they’ll survive as long it stays above 50° F. During the winter, the foliage on tuberous varieties may die back if the bulb goes dormant.

Are begonias poisonous to dogs?

Begonia. Although its most toxic parts are underground, it’s still best to keep begonias out of reach of your pets. They cause vomiting in dogs and cats and can be even more dangerous for horses and grazing animals.

Are begonias Hardy?

Begonias exist in hundreds of forms and have long been popular with gardeners. Less widely known, but quite lovely, is the hardy begonia (Begonia grandis), a perennial species that will survive winters in Brooklyn and throughout USDA Zones 6–9. …

Can begonias handle wind?

Shrub-like begonias are tolerant of sun and wind and reach 18″-30″ in height.

Do begonias make good houseplants?

Generally, fibrous and rhizomatous begonias make excellent houseplants while tuberous begonias can be grown as houseplants but have a harder time surviving due to the need for higher humidity and light than the other two kinds. … Begonias grown indoors are especially susceptible to root rot and overwatering.

How do you fertilize begonias?

Feeding for Blooms For healthy plants and abundant blooms, apply 10-10-10 liquid fertilizer (view example on Amazon) diluted at a ratio of three parts water to one part fertilizer when you first plant (or transplant) your begonias and approximately every 3 weeks thereafter.

Why are my begonia petals turning brown?

Begonia plants do not like very wet soil, and too much soil moisture can cause the plants’ roots to rot. … Either may lead to wilting and browning of the plant. Decrease watering so the begonias’ soil dries out between watering sessions.

Do slugs eat begonias?

Compared to many other plants, begonias are relatively slug resistant. Many gardeners have said that they have had fewer problems with slugs when growing begonias than other kinds of bedding plants. That being said, begonias will still be eaten by slugs if the slugs are hungry enough.

Can you use Miracle Grow on begonias?

Once a week apply half strength (1/2 T Miracle Grow or other soluble plant food per gallon) fertilizer solution in place of regular watering, being sure to give the basket enough so that liquid seeps from the bottom of the pot. Tuberous begonias are not heavy feeders, so don’t overdo it.