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The Daily Insight

Will begonias come back year after year

Author

Rachel Hickman

Published Mar 08, 2026

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.

Will my begonias come back next year?

CORVALLIS – Many people enjoy the lush blossoms of tuberous begonias in pots on patios and as outdoor hanging plants. 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.

Can you keep begonias year to year?

Begonia semperflorens, also known as wax begonias, make great summer bedding plants and are usually grown as annuals. Most people don’t try to overwinter them, but discard them after the first frosts and replace them every year with new plants.

How do you make begonias come back every year?

Fibrous Begonia Winter Care Put them in a place where they get bright, indirect sunlight. Keep the soil consistently moist, but take care not to overwater them or the roots will rot. Make sure they stay away from any heat sources, as they prefer indoor temps between 65-75 ° F.

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. 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 all begonias perennials?

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. These grow from underground tubers into upright or trailing plants with stunning clusters of flowers.

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 can you tell if begonia is tuberous?

Begonias with tuberous roots are a large group of complex hybrids involving many species and years of breeding and development. 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.

Do non stop begonias come back?

Non-stop begonias will grow from seeds and cuttings, but divisions from their tuberous roots work best for propagating them at home. North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension Service recommends starting the tubers indoors in late winter roughly two to three months before the last spring frost.

Do you cut back begonias in the winter?

In warm, frost free climates, begonias can grow outdoors as perennials and certain types may even bloom all year. … In cool climates, they can be dug up. The begonia foliage should be trimmed back, and the tubers can be dried and stored in a cool, dry location through winter, just as canna or dahlia bulbs are stored.

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Do begonias go dormant?

They do not go dormant, so never allow them to dry out. They are very sensitive to dry roots and quickly decline if not cared for. However their electrifying foliage makes them one of the most desirable plants for both containers outdoors and inside.

When should I start my begonia bulbs?

Start Begonia Tubers 8 to 12 Weeks Before The Last Frost Use your growing zone to find the proper date for starting the tubers indoors.

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 geraniums come back every year?

All of these things are a testament to how tough geraniums actually are, but they are an annual, not a perennial, so they do not die back and begin new growth each year, they continue growing from the same plant structure.

Can I 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 grow begonia bulbs?

Plant the tubers 1” deep in moist growing mix and water sparingly. When the plants have one or two leaves, transplant them into individual 8” pots or combine several in a larger container. If you are planting directly into the garden, position the sprouted tubers about 5” apart and cover them with 1” of 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.

What is the difference between begonias and non-stop begonias?

GROWERS HINTS: ► Here’s the difference between Non-stop and the regular giant tuberous begonias! Non-stops have more but smaller flowers and leaves. They are more heat tolerant for inland growers and more sun tolerant along the coast.

How do you care for non-stop begonias?

For best results keep plants well watered, and feed fortnightly with a high-potash fertiliser to prolong flowering. Lift tubers in autumn, before the first frosts, and store in barely moist soil or sand in a frost-free shed. Water the tubers occasionally to stop them drying up.

How long does it take begonia tubers to sprout?

Begonia tubers take 6-8 weeks from planting to sprout, which is another reason that starting them inside during the colder months of the year is a good idea.

Do you dead head 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.

Can I cut back a begonia?

Cutting back large, overgrown begonias may be necessary to restore them to their usual shape. Use clean, sharp shears or a knife to cut the stems back to a leaf node. Begonias can be cut back to within 3 inches of the soil to revitalize them, if necessary, but pinching and pruning is not the end of the story.

Is Epsom salt good for begonias?

While many gardeners attest to using Epsom salt on their plants to enhance their pH levels or add magnesium, it may not be ideal for begonias specifically. If your plants lack magnesium sulfate, it’s better to find fertilizers sufficient in this mineral.

Can I overwinter dragon wing begonias?

Bedding and Cane Begonias (Angel Wing, Dragon Wing) can be saved over the winter but need a lot of light. … Keep the soil slightly moist and feed very lightly during the winter. These plants do not go dormant so do not allow them to dry out.

How do you wake up begonia tubers?

If you simply brought last year’s tubers indoors in their pot and the pot is stored somewhere dark and cool at the moment, just bring it into a warm, moderately lit spot and start watering. Gentle heat, about 70 to 75˚F (21 to 24 ° C), will help wake them up.

How do I start begonia tubers?

  1. Start tubers into growth in March or April at 18°C (64°F)
  2. Fill a seed tray 7.5cm (3in) deep with moist sandy potting compost.
  3. Place tubers on the surface of the compost, hollow side uppermost, 2cm (¾in) apart and 2.5cm (1in) deep.

Do begonia tubers need light to sprout?

The tubers need bright light, but it shouldn’t be direct light or they will get overheated. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy for the next month or so. The tubers should sprout within two to four weeks, and they’re ready to plant when the last frost has passed. Keep the temperature in the room at 70 degrees or higher.

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.

Are begonias good house plants?

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. … Begonias grown indoors are especially susceptible to root rot and overwatering.

How do I look after begonias UK?

Grow begonias in peat-free, multi-purpose compost in dappled sunshine to partial shade. Plant tubers of tuberous begonias in spring. 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.