Does Begonia need full sun
Emma Valentine
Published Mar 24, 2026
Most begonias grow best in part shade (4 to 6 hours of direct morning sun a day), or filtered sun (as through trees). Most will tolerate full shade (no direct or filtered sun), but won’t be as dense and usually have fewer flowers. A few grow in full sun. They prefer moist, but not soggy, soils.
Do begonias grow well in 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.
How much sun and water do begonias need?
Begonias are easy-care plants that thrive in sun or shade, with moderate watering and fertilizer needs. Begonias have been growing in popularity over the years. They are often grown as houseplants (grown year-round as a perennial) or outside in containers or flower beds (grown for one growing season as an annual).
Where is the best place to put begonias?
Where to Plant Begonias. Wax begonias do best in part shade, particularly during the summer months, but will do well in full sun when planted over the winter as a perennial. Use these compact plants in borders and/or to mass plant in a flower bed. For best results plant begonias in rich, moist, well-drained soil.Do begonias need lots of water?
Like other indoor plants, begonias enter a dormancy period in the colder months. During this time, you’ll want to water only once every three to four weeks to avoid similar situations with the plant drowning in water. Once growth begins in the spring, you can resume the regular watering schedule.
Is begonia an outdoor plant?
Unlike most flowering plants, which require at least a half day of full sun, begonias actually prefer growing in the shade. … Wax begonias and angel-wing begonias are usually grown as outdoor annuals or indoor houseplants. Both grow from a clump of roots and are winter hardy in growing zones 9-11.
Do begonias come back?
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. … Begonias are particularly well suited to growing in pots.
What month do begonias flower?
Begonias grow in moist, shady gardens where they have well-drained soil, wind protection and filtered or indirect sunlight. A typical blooming season starts in June and ends with the first frost. They are so easy to grow that a broken stem or leaf stalk stuck in soil often roots as a new plant.How do you take care of a begonia?
- 1) Plant begonia in pot that allows about 2 inches of space all the way around the roots. …
- 2) Begonias like to sit in locations that have daily full to partial morning sunlight.
- 3) Put the plant on a regular watering schedule. …
- 4) Feed the plant a balanced houseplant fertilizer once a month.
Overwatering and underwatering are the most common causes of a begonia wilting. Begonias wilt quickly once their soil dries out, but maintaining excessively wet soil can also result in dramatic wilting due to root rot. Temperature stress, transplant shock, pests, and disease can also cause drooping.
Article first time published onHow do you keep begonias blooming?
Select a location receiving more direct morning or evening sunlight than mid day sun. Early morning / late day sunlight is much cooler with less intense rays. By keeping begonias out of the mid-day direct sun, the plants have less stress, and will produce more blooms.
Are begonias an 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.
Do you have 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.
Why are my begonia petals turning brown?
Begonia plants do not like very wet soil, and too much soil moisture can cause the plants’ roots to rot. … Either may lead to wilting and browning of the plant. Decrease watering so the begonias’ soil dries out between watering sessions.
Are begonias good for hanging baskets?
Most varieties of begonias grow great in sun or shade, making them a great choice for a hanging basket. Begonias are great for providing a full, drooping effect to your hanging basket.
Can you leave begonias in their pots over winter?
Tuberous begonias should be dug up and stored indoors during winter until the return of warmer weather in spring. Begonias can be dug up in fall once foliage has faded or just after the first light frost. … Pot-grown begonia plants can be stored in their containers as long as they remain dry.
Are begonias indoor plants?
Begonias are a popular houseplant. Some varieties of begonia houseplants are grown for their flowers while others are grown for their striking foliage. Growing begonias as houseplants only requires a little bit of knowledge in order to keep them looking their very best indoors.
Can you plant begonias in the ground?
Tuberous begonias can be grown in the ground under trees or in shady parts of your garden, or in containers placed in shady areas of your porch, patio, or yard. … Watering: Begonias need moist soil, but are very susceptible to rotting under wet conditions. Water slightly every few days, or when the soil dries out.
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.
When can I put potted begonias outside?
Only plant begonias outside in May, when no more frosts are forecast. Water regularly and feed weekly with a high potash fertiliser like tomato feed. In autumn, dig up tuberous begonias and store the tubers in a cool, frost-free spot for winter.
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.
Do begonias do well in pots?
Begonias prefer growing in light, rich soil with a good concentration of humus, similar to the makeup of potting soil. So it’s no surprise the plants tend to thrive in containers. Begonias planted in a pot should be spaced 4-6″ apart and with the tubers buried hollow-side up.
Are begonias hard to care for?
It’s time for a begonia. Begonias are some of the most beautiful, visually interesting plants you can grow indoors. However, they can be a bit picky about light and water, though not overly delicate, making them a great intermediate-level plant project.
How long do begonias live for?
As the water evaporates, it will create a zone of humidity around your plant. 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.
What do I feed begonias?
“Begonias are heavy feeders, and for best bloom production should be fed every two weeks,” Roberts said. He recommends a high nitrogen plant food with a 10-10-5 formula early in the season.
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 come back every year UK?
Although often sold as half-hardy annuals, most Begonias varieties are actually perennials. However, they are not at all frost hardy. The following article will give you advice on bedding begonias over-winter within the UK. … Tuberous rooted begonias are prone to attack by Vine Weevil grub during the Summer.
Why are my begonia leaves turning black?
Watering. The most common cause of brown leaf edges is that your Begonia is incredibly dry. Your Begonia likes consistent moisture. … Begonias do not like soggy soil or to sit in water, so be sure to discard any water that has accumulated in the saucer after watering.
Why do begonia leaves turn yellow?
Most likely, yellow leaves appearing on your Begonia is caused by overwatering, allowing soil to stay soggy, or letting the plant sit in water. This is an easy fix, going forward. … Allow the soil to dry about halfway, or 2-4 inches down before watering again. If the soil is kept too wet for too long, the roots may rot.
Do begonias need watering every day?
The main rule of thumb for watering begonias is to not let the soil dry out completely. Stick your finger into the soil, and if it dry to your first knuckle, it’s time to water. … Water your plants only about once a month during this time.
Why is my begonia dropping leaves?
Water. The most common reason begonia leaves rot is too frequent watering. Begonias are succulent plants with stems that are mostly water, which makes them very sensitive to moisture and fungus. … Eventually, those leaves rot and then fall off.