What are the sun requirements for Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum?

Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum requires Part Shade.

How much water does Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum need?

Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum has Medium water needs.

Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum (wax begonia)

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Ornamental Annuals

Begonia semperflorens-cultorum

wax begonia

Begoniaceae

Hybrid group; parent species from southern Brazil

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At a Glance

TypeAnnual

HabitMounding

FoliageDeciduous

Height6-15 inches (15-38 cm)

Width6-12 inches (15-30 cm)

Maturity1 years

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Container Friendly

Maintenancevery low

Overview

Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum (wax begonia, bedding begonia) is a mounding tender annual growing 6–15 inches (15–38 cm) tall and 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) wide. White, pink, red, or bicolor flowers 0.5–1.5 inches (12–38 mm) appear continuously from planting through first frost — the species epithet semperflorens means always flowering. Spent flowers drop without deadheading (self-cleaning). Glossy waxy rounded leaves 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) in green-leaved or bronze to dark red-leaved forms; the waxy leaf sheen gives the common name. The species belongs to Begoniaceae. Monoecious: separate male and female flowers on the same plant — male flowers have prominent yellow stamens at the center; female flowers have a winged ovary behind the petals. A hybrid group derived from Brazilian species. Bronze-leaved forms tolerate more direct sun than green-leaved forms — green-leaved types scorch in full afternoon sun. Overwatering and poor drainage cause succulent stem rot; the fleshy stems snap when bent. Tender — killed by the first frost. The continuous self-cleaning bloom from planting through frost with no deadheading required is the primary cultivation trait. Mildly toxic to dogs and cats (calcium oxalates). Deer-resistant. Part shade to full sun (bronze-leaved forms).

Native Range

Hybrid group of garden origin. Parent species native to southern Brazil.

Suggested Uses

Used as bedding, edging, mass planting, and in containers of at least 1 gallon (3.8 L), spaced 6–12 inches (15–30 cm). Continuous self-cleaning bloom from planting through frost. Bronze-leaved forms for sunnier sites. Tender annual. Mildly toxic to pets. Deer-resistant.

How to Identify

Identified by glossy waxy rounded leaves 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) in green or bronze forms, with continuous white, pink, or red flowers from planting through frost on a compact mounding plant. Monoecious — male flowers carry prominent yellow stamens at the center; female flowers have a winged ovary behind the petals. The waxy leaf sheen and compact self-cleaning continuous bloom separate wax begonias from tuberous begonias (B. × tuberhybrida, larger flowers, tuber-forming) and rex begonias (B. rex-cultorum, foliage types). In Begoniaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6" - 1'3"

Width/Spread6" - 1'

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~20 weeks

Spring Summer Fall

Continuous from planting through first frost (May–October in most zones), lasting 16–20+ weeks. White, pink, red, or bicolor single or double flowers 0.5–1.5 inches (12–38 mm). Self-cleaning — spent flowers drop without deadheading. Bee-visited.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White, pink, red, or bicolor; single or double; 0.5-1.5 inches (12-38 mm); continuous from planting through first frost; self-cleaning

Foliage Description

Glossy; waxy; rounded; 2-4 inches (5-10 cm); green-leaved or bronze to dark red-leaved forms; the waxy sheen gives the common name

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial Shade Full Sun

Requires 3-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

12-16 weeks from seed

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in part shade to full sun with 3–8 hours of direct light; bronze-leaved forms tolerate more sun than green-leaved forms, which can scorch in full afternoon sun. Well-drained soil at pH 6.0–7.0 in loam. Overwatering and poor drainage cause succulent stem rot. Tender annual — killed by first frost. Self-cleaning: no deadheading. Mildly toxic to dogs and cats (calcium oxalates). Deer-resistant.

Pruning

No pruning required. Self-cleaning — spent flowers drop without intervention. Leggy stems can be pinched to encourage bushier growth. The plant is discarded at end of season (annual).