189 saves

Begonia

We track 47 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.

47 varieties1 speciesZones 6–10Shade friendly

The 24 most-saved Begonia varieties

See all 47 Begonia varieties →Search this genus →

Species of Begonia

Each one is a parent of the varieties above.

Track your Begonia in Sow

Save the Begonia you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.

How to grow Begonia

Whats common across all Begonia varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 40 most-grown of them.

The Begonia year

  • FertilizeMay–August95% of varieties

    Feed every 2-4 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer

  • PlantApril and May75% of varieties

    Plant tubers outdoors after all danger of frost has passed

  • Lift & StoreSeptember and October48% of varieties

    Dig tubers after first frost, dry and store in a cool, dark place

  • DeadheadMay–September45% of varieties

    Remove spent blooms regularly to encourage continuous flowering

Do

  • Water regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
  • Fertilize monthly during active growth
  • Fertilize monthly during growing season
  • Apply balanced fertilizer monthly
  • Provide partial shade during hot afternoons

Avoid

  • Do not let soil dry out completely
  • Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
  • Avoid over-fertilizing to prevent leaf burn
  • Avoid direct harsh sunlight ❌

What goes wrong with Begonia

ProblemWhat you'll seeWhat to do
AphidsSticky residue on leaves, distorted growthSpray with neem oil or insecticidal soap
MealybugsWhite cottony masses on stems and leavesApply horticultural oil or wipe with alcohol-soaked cotton
Spider mitesFine webbing on leavesUse neem oil spray
Powdery mildewWhite powdery coating on leavesUse organic fungicide and improve air circulation
Powdery MildewWhite powdery coating on leavesImprove air circulation and apply fungicide
Root RotWilting and yellowing leavesReduce watering and ensure proper drainage

Making more Begonia

Division

  1. Carefully dig up mature plant in early spring.
  2. Separate into smaller clumps with roots attached.
  3. Replant in prepared soil, water thoroughly.
  4. Maintain consistent moisture during establishment.
  5. Division can be done every 2-3 years.

Cuttings

  1. Select healthy stem cuttings in late spring.
  2. Dip cuttings in rooting hormone and plant in moist potting mix.
  3. Maintain high humidity and mist regularly for 6 weeks.

Begonia questions

How many types of Begonia are there?

The Sow catalog tracks 47 distinct Begonia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 189 real gardeners — 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 summer to fall, mid-summer, 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.

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