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Begonia
Tuberous Begonia
Cultivar hybrids; parent species native to Andean South America
Growing Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones
9 - 11These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →Frost Tolerancetender
Key Features
Maintenancemoderate
Overview
Begonia x tuberhybrida is a herbaceous tuberous perennial reaching 8-18 inches (20-45 cm) tall and 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) wide depending on cultivar group. Habit upright (stake-supported large-flowered types), pendulous (hanging-basket types), or compact mounding (multiflora types). Foliage asymmetrically heart-shaped, 3-6 inches (7.5-15 cm) long, mid-green to dark green with reddish undersides; leaf surfaces fleshy and somewhat brittle. Flowers double, semi-double, or single, 1-6 inches (2.5-15 cm) across depending on form (rose, camellia, picotee, ruffled, frilled), in white, yellow, orange, red, pink, salmon, and bicolors. Plants are monoecious; large male flowers and smaller female flowers form on the same plant. Male flowers carry the doubled petal counts that define cultivar groups; female flowers are simpler with 5 petals. Bloom from early summer through first hard frost. Tubers go dormant in autumn and require 50-55°F (10-13°C) frost-free storage at 60-70% humidity. Powdery mildew develops in poor air circulation and high humidity, with white patches on foliage that may extend to flowers. Stem rot develops in poorly-drained soils and overwatered containers.
Native Range
B. x tuberhybrida is a hybrid complex with no wild origin; the hybrid group was developed in Belgium and France from the 1860s onward by crossing 7-8 South American Begonia species, primarily B. boliviensis, B. veitchii, and B. pearcei from the Andes. No naturalized populations exist; the hybrids are propagated commercially via tubers and tissue culture. Cultivated worldwide as bedding, hanging-basket, and container plants.Suggested Uses
Massed in shaded annual bedding at 8-12 inch (20-30 cm) spacing or in hanging baskets in zones 4-11 (grown as annuals where tubers do not overwinter outside). Container culture is workable in pots of 6-12 inch (15-30 cm) diameter; 2-3 tubers per 12 inch (30 cm) container. Pendula types are grown in 10-12 inch (25-30 cm) hanging baskets with 1 tuber per basket.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 1'6"
Width/Spread8" - 1'
Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years
Bloom Information
June through October in zones 7-9, with continuous bloom over 16-20 weeks. Individual flowers last 7-10 days; sequential bud production maintains the floral display through the season. First hard frost ends bloom and damages above-ground growth. Bloom can begin in May in zones 9-10 with adequate winter chilling on overwintered tubers.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
White, yellow, orange, red, pink, salmon, bicolors (cultivar-dependent)Foliage Description
Mid- to dark green with reddish undersidesGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-5 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Water deeply when the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) of soil is dry; tuberous begonias need consistent moisture but are damaged by waterlogged soils. Apply a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer at half-strength every 2-3 weeks from May through August; reduce feeding in late August to permit tuber maturation before dormancy. Powdery mildew develops in stagnant humid conditions; spacing plants for air movement and watering at the base reduces incidence. Mealybugs and thrips may infest growth tips; insecticidal soap reduces populations within 7-10 days. After first hard frost, lift tubers, cut stems to 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm), let dry for 2 weeks in a well-ventilated location, then store in dry peat or vermiculite at 50-55°F (10-13°C) until late winter. Repot in fresh medium 6-8 weeks before last expected frost.Pruning
Pinch growing tips to 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) in late spring to encourage branching and denser bloom. Remove yellowing leaves and spent flowers at the base of the petiole; deadheading is largely cosmetic since female flowers self-drop. Stake upright large-flowered types at 12-15 inches (30-38 cm) tall to prevent stem breakage under heavy bloom. Cut all stems to 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) after first hard frost in autumn before lifting tubers.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late springfall
Maintenance Level
moderateContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons