Are Begonias Annuals Or Perennials?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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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.

Do begonias come back up every year?

This results in at least four months of blooms a year and

if looked after properly, they will come back year after year

so one purchase will give years of enjoyment in your garden. Begonias are extremely versatile and can be used in different ways.

Which begonias are perennial?


There are no perennial begonias

. There are forms that make great houseplants and will grow year-round indoors, but outdoors the plants are all unable to tolerate frost.

How do I keep begonias over winter?


Store begonia tubers individually in paper bags or line them in a single layer atop newspaper. Place these in a cardboard box in a cool, dark, dry location

. You should also be overwintering a begonia grown outdoors in containers. Pot-grown begonia plants can be stored in their containers as long as they remain dry.

Will begonias grow back after winter?

There’s no need to throw them away when cold weather hits and the tops die.

The tubers can be saved over the winter and planted again the next spring for another year of showy color

. Take the following steps to save your potted tuberous begonia tubers: Remove plant from pot before hard frosts occur.

Do begonias like sun or shade?


They do best in situations with shade or morning sun/afternoon shade

. Most varieties have flowers that hang down a little, making tuberous begonias ideal for hanging baskets and window boxes rather than garden beds and borders. No matter where you grow them, make sure they have good drainage to prevent rot.

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.

Are you supposed 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.

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 live year round?

Tip.

Some begonias are evergreen and grow year-round, but only in zones 9 to 11, depending on the type

. Most begonias, whatever their hardiness zone, are grown as annuals.

When should I bring my begonias inside?

Timing Is Important: Bring your begonias inside

before the first frost

, or they may be lost for good. Also, to reduce temperature and humidity shock, take advantage of that wonderful early fall season (when neither the heat nor air conditioning is running nonstop) to get your plants acclimated to the indoors.

Can a begonia be planted outside?

Begonias are very sensitive to frost, cold, and wet weather, so

don’t hurry to plant them outdoors

; they can’t survive temperatures below 45°F. Begonias can be planted directly in the garden, or in hanging baskets or window boxes.

How cold can begonias tolerate?

Most species of begonias can be damaged by temperatures lower than

45 or 50 degrees

.

Can you keep potted begonias over winter?

If your begonias are in a container,

you can overwinter them right in the pot

. Just make sure to bring them indoors before the temperature drops below 60°F. Fibrous varieties like rex, angel wing, and wax, can be kept alive as a houseplant through the winter.

Where is the best place to put begonias?

Where to Plant: Tuberous begonias require bright light, but not direct sunlight. They grow well in full to partial shade, but may not flower in areas with dense shade and low light. Begonias are ideal container plants for

shady gardens, patios, porches and patios

.

What month do begonias flower?

A tuberous begonia tuber sprouting in a container. In late winter or early spring, purchase tubers or start those you have stored.

Tubers started in February should begin to bloom in June; those started in March or early April should bloom in July

. Plant the tubers in a flat of peat moss or vermiculite.

What pairs well with begonias?

  • Coleus.
  • Impatiens.
  • Black Mondo Grass.
  • Torenia.
  • Silver Nickel Vine.
  • Caladium.
  • Fiber optic grass.
  • ‘Brigadoon’ St. John’s wort.

Can you take cuttings from begonias?


All begonias can be propagated by rooting stem cuttings

, sometimes called tip cuttings. The basic idea is that a plant will clone itself by sprouting roots on a piece of stem that is in a moist growing medium. Many begonias root easily, and one can use the similar technique of rooting them in water.

How do you keep begonias blooming?

The best way to keep begonias blooming as long as possible is to

provide partial shade and well-drained soil

. Additionally, increase the begonia blooming period by fertilizing your begonias every 2–3 weeks. As the blooming season progresses, deadhead old blooms to promote new flower growth.

How do I tell what kind of begonia I have?

Is Miracle Grow good for begonias?


Miracle-Gro is a great fertilizer to use on begonias

. The brand also has several different formulas that you can use for these plants. It can be applied to both young and older plants.

Are coffee grounds good for begonias?

(soil free is best) Outdoors, growing begonias means adding lots of organic matter to the soil. Begonias benefit from an acidic soil, which the peat moss gives it.

Adding some used coffee grounds to the soil will work wonders for begonias

.

Can you put begonias in a hanging basket?


Hang trailing begonias in baskets either side of your front door for a colourful welcome home, or dot them around the patio to provide a lush colour pop

. They provide an excellent display in full sun or partial shade, flowering profusely throughout summer.

Can you put potted begonias outside?

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 do you keep begonias alive outside?

And here’s the best part: Unlike their tuberous cousins, annual begonias don’t require a lot of light. These are shade-loving plants outdoors; so

any somewhat-sunny windowsill

will keep them alive and flowering—just make sure it’s well insulated so they don’t get too cold at night.

How do you care for potted 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.

Can begonias survive indoors?

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. Care of begonias indoors starts with the proper location.

Can a begonia be a houseplant?


Begonias growing indoors should be moved to a partly sunny location outdoors during the summer

. Some begonias do not tolerate direct sunlight and should be placed in the shade. More information on moving indoor plants is available in HGIC 1454, Indoor Plants – Moving Plants Indoors & Outdoors.

Which begonias bloom all year?

Then, you have the

shrub begonias

. The shrub begonias are also an evergreen variety, so you can expect them to bloom around the course of the year as well. They are also incredibly easy to care for, and give off gorgeous flowers and foliage.

What do you do with potted begonias in the winter?

The stems of hardy begonias, will die back naturally if you’re leaving them outside for winter under a mulch. If you’re bringing hardy begonias inside to overwinter,

cut the stems back to three or four inches above the tuber before bringing them into a frost-free space

.

Is begonia indoor or outdoor plant?

Begonias are popular as annual bedding plants outdoors and as houseplants indoors. There are about 1500 different begonia species native to tropical regions worldwide, including Central and South America, Asia, and Africa.

Are begonias good in pots?


Begonias make excellent container plants

. They prefer to be slightly root bound rather than given room for their roots to sprawl. Let the soil dry out between watering and add a balanced liquid fertilizer every few weeks during the growing season.

Are potted begonias perennials?


Begonias are tropical perennials

that thrive in warmth and, typically, partial light. Because begonias do best in warmer temperatures that don’t fall below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, they are often used as houseplants and in shaded summer beds.

How do I keep my begonias for next year?

How long will begonias last?

No begonia has a long life span. Most only live for

2 to 3 years

, even with good care. Cane begonias such as angel wings go dormant if the temperature gets too cool.

Ahmed Ali
Author
Ahmed Ali
Ahmed Ali is a financial analyst with over 15 years of experience in the finance industry. He has worked for major banks and investment firms, and has a wealth of knowledge on investing, real estate, and tax planning. Ahmed is also an advocate for financial literacy and education.