Care Of Begonias: Growing Tips And Annual Begonia Care

Image by Bradley West

By Becca Badgett
(Co-author of How to Grow an EMERGENCY Garden)

Annual begonia plants have many uses in the summer garden and beyond. Annual begonia care is relatively simple when one properly learns how to grow begonias. Watering is important in the care of begonias, as is the right location.

How to Grow Begonias in the Annual Garden

Known as wax begonias or bedding begonias, annual begonia plants (Begonia semperflorens) grow quickly and easily fill in spaces in the garden that will benefit from attractive foliage and frilly flowers. They can be a focal point when planted in mass and are excellent specimens for container combinations. Annual begonia plants are also deer resistant, so keep them in mind for trouble spots in the landscape.

Plant wax begonias in a full sun to shaded location. Full sun locations during hot summer days may stress annual begonia plants, making them susceptible to disease. Therefore, in areas where summers are exceptionally hot, plant wax begonias where they will get afternoon shade.

Annual Begonia Care

Once appropriately placed in the flower bed or hanging basket, deadheading spent blooms and keeping the soil moist is the basis of annual begonia care.

Watering correctly is important in the care of begonias. Soil should remain moist, but not too wet. A well-draining soil or potting mix simplifies this task. Water wax begonias at the base to avoid leaf spot and the possibility of fungal diseases.

The most compact and healthy wax begonias result from deadheading and pinching back regularly. Annual begonia plants may be cut back before frost and used inside as a houseplant in winter. Once inside, keep the soil moist, provide humidity with a pebble tray and place in bright filtered light.

Cuttings may be propagated for additional plants. Divide in spring for more outdoor begonia plants.

Now that you’ve learned how to grow begonias each year, you can take advantage of this perky plant in the summer landscape. Foliage may be green or bronze/maroon with single or double flowers in pinks, whites and reds. This easy to grow flowering specimen will flourish in the right place in your garden.