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The Daily Insight

How large do begonias grow

Author

Rachel Hickman

Published Apr 02, 2026

Begonia plants are typically under 1 foot tall, with loads of colorful flowers up to 4 inches wide. Begonias are generally hardy in zones 9 & 10, and in colder zones (2 – 8), they can be grown as annuals and overwintered indoors to grow year after year.

How much space do begonias need?

When weather permits, begonias can be transplanted to the garden bed, spacing about 10 to 18 inches (25-46 cm.) apart. Likewise, they can be placed in containers spaced approximately 3 to 4 inches (8-10 cm.) apart.

Do begonias spread?

Native to Brazil, Begonia semperflorens can be winter hardy in zones 10-11, but they are grown as annuals in most of the United States. Sometimes called fibrous begonia, these deer-resistant, non-invasive plants form small clumps that grow anywhere from 6 to 18 inches tall and spread 6 to 12 inches.

Do begonias come back each year?

Are begonias a perennial plant or an annual flower? 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 wide do begonias get?

They grow 12 to 18 inches tall and wide and thrive in part shade to full shade locations. They’ll bloom from early summer until frost with clusters of slightly fragrant, light pink flowers, and they have large heart-shaped medium green leaves.

How do you make begonias bushy?

General Pruning Pinch the stems back to the first or second healthy bud from the tip. You can repeat this process two or three times at about four week intervals to encourage maximum bushiness. Pinching forces the begonia to branch at the pinch point, resulting in more stems, leaves and flowers.

How many begonias are in a hanging basket?

When planting up hanging baskets, allow 3 tubers for each 12” basket. Immediately after potting, water well and then grow them on in bright, frost-free conditions, watering only when the compost gets quite dry.

Can I leave my begonias in pots over winter?

Tuberous begonias should be dug up and stored indoors during winter until the return of warmer weather in spring. … Pot-grown begonia plants can be stored in their containers as long as they remain dry. They should also be relocated to a protected area that’s cool, dark, and dry.

Can you leave begonias in the ground over winter?

Leaving Begonias In The Ground As long as the type of begonia you have is hardy in your climate, then you can overwinter them right in the ground. If they have tubers, then they’ll survive as long it stays above 50° F. During the winter, the foliage on tuberous varieties may die back if the bulb goes dormant.

What does a tuberous begonia look like?

A begonia tuber is shaped like a little brown bowl. Sprouts emerge from inside the cupped area and roots form on all sides of the tuber. For best results, encourage the tubers to sprout before planting them in pots or in the garden. Put them in a warm (70°F) area with indirect light.

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Do you 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.

Do begonias need 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.

Can I plant begonias in full sun?

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 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.

What are large begonias called?

Tuberous Begonia Tuberous Begonias have large, bright flowers; one popular series is called Non-Stop due to the consistent blooming. Boliviensis begonias are also tuberous and have very different look, with long narrow leaves and long blooms. These begonias do best in containers where it is easier to control watering.

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.

How many begonias are in a 14 inch hanging basket?

For a 14” hanging basket (not including any side panels) 7-8 plants. For a 16” hanging basket (not including any side panels) 8-9 plants.

Is begonia a hanging plant?

These flowering plants climb or hang to any length, from three inches to three feet or more. … Use begonia plants decoratively indoors to blend garden plantings or to act as an accent. Display them in window flower baskets or wall brackets.

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.

What to do with begonias when they get leggy?

Pinching back your begonias is the first step to correct legginess. For small plants on windowsills, or seedlings for the garden, pinching out the tiny new leaves on the growing tips of the begonias will force new growth along the stem and encourage dense, compact plants.

How 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.

Should you trim begonias?

If you’re growing your begonias as a perennial, they need more pruning. You should cut them back up to 1/3 of the plant after flowering. Throughout the year, prune your begonias to shape their growth. If you have winter-flowering begonias, cut them back in the spring after they have finished flowering.

Can begonias survive 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.

When can you plant 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.

When can I cut back my begonias?

Cut back begonia stems to three or four inches above the tuber in fall as you prepare to overwinter them. Do this for tuberous begonias when you bring them into a frost-free space for winter. The stems of hardy begonias, will die back naturally if you’re leaving them outside for winter under a mulch.

What is the difference between tuberous begonias and wax begonias?

Wax begonias can tolerate more sun than other types, and the ones with bronze-colored leaves are the most sun-tolerant of all. Tuberous begonias prefer more shade and less heat, so we often see them on display in late summer. Soil: Light, rich, humusy soil.

What is the lowest temperature begonias can tolerate?

The American Begonia Society considers 55 degrees Fahrenheit the lower end of begonias’ comfort zone, though some hybrids may be more cold-tolerant. In any case, when your forecast calls for temperatures in the 40s, it’s time to give your begonias some protection.

How do I know what type of begonia I have?

They can often be identified by their prominent flowers, which can be single, double, ruffled, scented or multicolored, and range in size from 1/2-inch diameter to the size of a dinner plate.

What is a trailing begonia?

For a truly spectacular display, trailing begonia plants have it all. Perfect for hanging baskets, flower pouches and window boxes; trailing begonia plug plants offer outstanding performance no matter what the weather throws at them. …

Can you split begonias?

Begonia tubers increase in size each year and after three years or so, the flower display will begin to deteriorate. It’s best to divide the tubers in the early spring, after the buds have begun to swell. Use a sharp knife and divide into as many pieces as you like, as long as each piece has at least one bud on it.

How often should begonias be watered?

A good rule of thumb is to water every two to four days. When it’s hot and dry you’ll need to water more often than when the air cools down and the soil holds more moisture. Begonia plants in full sun will also require more water than plants in shady locations.