117 gardener saves
Begonia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
We track 47 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Begonia varieties
Of 47 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedSmooch Begonia
Begonia x tuberhybrida 'Smooch'
#2 most savedSolenia Chocolate Orange Begonia
Begonia x hybrida 'Solenia Chocolate Orange'
#3 most savedMistral Pink Begonia
Begonia begonia 'Mistral Pink'
Wildwood Purity Begonia
Begonia grandis 'Wildwood Purity'
Picotee Tuberous Begonia
Begonia x tuberhybrida 'Picotee Mix'
Heron's Pirouette Begonia
Begonia grandis 'Herons Pirouette'
Wildwood Premier Begonia
Begonia grandis 'Wildwood Premier'
Fragrant Falls Begonia
Begonia x hybrida 'Fragrant Falls'
Wolong Rose Begonia
Begonia sinensis 'Wolong Rose'
Large Leaf Begonia
Begonia grandis
Rieger Begonia
Begonia x hiemalis 'Giant Camellia Mix'
Hardy Begonia
Begonia x tuberhybrida 'Hardy Begonia'
Browse all 47 Begonia varieties →
How to grow Begonia
What the Begonia varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 40 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Begonia year
- FertilizeMay–August95% of varieties
Feed every 2-4 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer
- PlantApril and May73% of varieties
Plant tubers outdoors after all danger of frost has passed
- DeadheadMay–September48% of varieties
Remove spent blooms regularly to encourage continuous flowering
- Lift & StoreSeptember and October45% of varieties
Dig tubers after first frost, dry and store in a cool, dark place
Do
- Water regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
- Fertilize monthly during active growth
- Fertilize monthly during growing season
- Fertilize monthly during the growing season
- Apply balanced fertilizer monthly
Avoid
- Do not let soil dry out completely
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t let soil dry out completely
- Avoid direct harsh sunlight ❌
What goes wrong with Begonia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue on leaves, distorted growth | Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Mealybugs | White cottony masses on stems and leaves | Apply horticultural oil or wipe with alcohol-soaked cotton |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on leaves | Use neem oil spray |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing on leaves | Use neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Use organic fungicide and improve air circulation |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Root Rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Reduce watering and ensure proper drainage |
Making more Begonia
Cuttings
- Select healthy stem cuttings in late spring.
- Dip cuttings in rooting hormone and plant in moist potting mix.
- Maintain high humidity and mist regularly for 6 weeks.
Division
- Carefully dig up mature plant in early spring.
- Separate into smaller clumps with roots attached.
- Replant in prepared soil, water thoroughly.
- Maintain consistent moisture during establishment.
- Division can be done every 2-3 years.
Begonia questions
How many types of Begonia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 47 distinct Begonia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 117 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Begonia grow in?
Across its varieties, Begonia covers USDA Zones 6–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Begonia bloom?
Most Begonia varieties bloom in mid-summer, late spring, summer, fall, late spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Begonia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Begonia shows up in
By hardiness zone
Related genera
Design with Begonia in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
