Introduction
Begonias are a favorite for many home gardeners because they offer consistent color and beautiful foliage with very little effort. Whether you are filling a shady garden bed with wax begonias or hanging a basket of cascading tuberous blooms on your porch, these plants bring a cheerful energy to any space. At Longfield Gardens, we enjoy helping people discover how versatile and rewarding these flowers can be throughout the growing season.
The question of whether begonias are annuals or perennials is one of the most common topics we hear from gardeners. The answer depends on where you live and which type of begonia you choose to grow. Understanding this distinction helps you plan your garden and decide if you want to enjoy them for a single season or keep them for years to come. You can explore the begonia collection to compare the types available for your garden.
This guide is designed for gardeners of all levels who want to clear up the confusion surrounding begonia lifespans. We will explain the botanical nature of these plants and how to manage them in different climates across the United States.
The short answer is that while begonias are botanically perennials, most gardeners in cooler climates grow them as annuals unless they take specific steps to protect them from the winter cold.
The Botanical Nature of Begonias
To understand begonias, it helps to look at where they come from. Most begonia species are native to tropical and subtropical regions in Central and South America, Africa, and Asia. In these warm, humid environments, begonias grow year-round without ever facing a frost. Because they do not naturally die off at the end of a single season, they are classified as perennials.
In the world of gardening, we often use the term "tender perennial" to describe plants like begonias. A tender perennial is a plant that lives for many years in its native tropical habitat but cannot survive freezing temperatures. When you plant them in a region that experiences winter frost, the cold will stop their growth and eventually kill the plant if it is left outdoors.
This is why many people in the United States refer to them as annuals. If you plant a begonia in May and let the first autumn frost hit it in October, it completes its life cycle in your garden in just one year. However, the plant itself has the biological potential to live much longer if the environment stays warm.
Key Takeaway Begonias are naturally perennials that can live for several years. In most parts of the U.S., they are treated as annuals because they are very sensitive to cold temperatures and frost.
How Your USDA Zone Affects Begonias
The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the best tool for determining how begonias will behave in your backyard. This map divides North America into zones based on their average annual minimum winter temperature.
Tropical Zones (Zones 9–11)
If you live in a frost-free area like southern Florida, parts of Texas, or coastal California, you can grow most begonias as true perennials. In these zones, the plants can stay in the ground year-round. They may go through a brief period of rest when the days are shorter, but they will continue to grow and bloom again as the weather warms.
Temperate and Cold Zones (Zones 3–8)
For the majority of gardeners in the United States, winters are far too cold for begonias to survive outside. In these regions, you have two choices. You can treat them as annuals, which means you enjoy them for the summer and replace them next spring. Or, you can treat them as "tender perennials" by bringing them indoors before the first frost arrives.
Shipping and Timing
When you order from us, we make sure your plants arrive at the right time for your specific area. We coordinate our shipping schedule with the USDA hardiness zones so your bulbs or plants arrive about two weeks before the ideal planting time in your region. This ensures you aren't stuck holding onto plants while the ground is still too cold or frozen. See our shipping information for more details.
The Three Main Types of Begonias
Not all begonias are the same, and their growth habits often dictate how you care for them. There are thousands of varieties, but most home gardeners interact with three primary groups.
Tuberous Begonias
Tuberous begonias grow from a thick, potato-like underground stem called a tuber. These are famous for their large, spectacular flowers that can look like roses or camellias. Varieties like the "Non-Stop" series or "Picotee" are beloved for their vibrant colors and ability to brighten up shady corners.
Because they grow from a tuber, these plants have a built-in storage system. This makes them the easiest type of begonia to "save" for next year. They naturally want to go dormant when the weather cools, allowing you to store the tuber in a dry, dark place until spring.
Wax Begonias (Fibrous)
Wax begonias are the classic bedding plants often seen in parks and front walkways. They have fleshy, succulent-like stems and glossy leaves that can be green or bronze. Their roots are fibrous and thin, rather than thick tubers.
Wax begonias are incredibly tough and can handle a bit more sun than other types. While they are perennials, they do not have a dormant "bulb" phase. If you want to keep these for more than one year, you must bring the entire living plant indoors and grow it as a houseplant during the winter.
Rex and Rhizomatous Begonias
These begonias are grown primarily for their stunning foliage. Their leaves come in swirls of silver, purple, pink, and deep green. They grow from rhizomes, which are thick stems that creep along the surface of the soil.
Rex begonias are almost always treated as houseplants in cooler climates. They love the stable temperatures and humidity found inside a home. If you move them outside for the summer, they must come back in long before the thermometer hits 50°F.
The Exception: The Hardy Begonia
While almost all begonias are tropical, there is one notable exception: Begonia grandis, commonly known as the Hardy Begonia. This is a unique species that has adapted to survive much colder temperatures than its tropical cousins.
Hardy begonias are generally reliable perennials in USDA zones 6 through 9. Some gardeners in zone 5 find success with them if they provide a thick layer of mulch for protection. These plants go completely dormant in the winter, disappearing below the soil line, and then emerge in late spring when the ground has warmed up.
If you want the look of a begonia but don't want the task of bringing plants inside every year, the hardy begonia is an excellent choice. It features delicate pink or white flowers and beautiful heart-shaped leaves with red veining on the undersides.
Growing Begonias as Annuals: The "Simple" Choice
Many people prefer to grow begonias as annuals. This approach is straightforward and takes the pressure off during the busy autumn months.
- Ease of Care: You don't have to worry about finding space indoors for pots or managing dormant tubers in your basement.
- Fresh Design: Growing them as annuals allows you to change your garden’s color palette every year. One year you might want the fiery oranges of a "Double Hanging Basket" mix, and the next you might prefer the soft pastels of "Double Delight Blush Rose."
- Disease Prevention: Starting with fresh plants or tubers each year reduces the risk of carrying over pests or diseases that can sometimes accumulate on older plants.
If you choose this route, your only job is to provide the right environment during the summer. Once the frost blackens the leaves in the fall, you simply pull the plants up, add them to your compost pile, and look forward to choosing new varieties from our selection the following spring.
Transitioning to Perennials: How to Overwinter Tuberous Begonias
If you have a favorite tuberous begonia that performed exceptionally well, you may want to keep it. Transitioning these plants from a summer annual to a perennial requires a process called overwintering.
Step 1: Let the Frost Assist
Tuberous begonias need a signal that it is time to sleep. In late autumn, stop fertilizing and reduce watering. Let the first light frost touch the plant. This will turn the foliage yellow or black, which tells the plant to move all its energy down into the tuber.
Step 2: Lifting the Tubers
Once the top growth has died back, carefully dig the tubers out of the soil. Be gentle, as you don't want to nick or bruise the "flesh" of the tuber. Gently brush off the excess soil.
Step 3: Curing
Place the tubers in a warm, dry, and shaded spot for about a week. This "curing" process allows the outer skin to toughen up and prevents rotting during storage. After a few days, the remaining stems should fall off easily. If they don't, give them a little more time.
Step 4: Storage
Store your cured tubers in a breathable container, such as a cardboard box or a paper bag. To keep them from drying out too much, nestle them in dry peat moss, sawdust, or vermiculite. Keep the box in a cool, dark place (between 40°F and 50°F) where they won't freeze. A basement or a cool closet usually works perfectly.
What to do next
- Check your stored tubers once a month during winter.
- If you see any soft spots or mold, remove those tubers immediately.
- If they look extremely shriveled, a very light mist of water can help.
- In early spring, move them to a warm spot to wake them up.
Bringing Wax and Rex Begonias Indoors
Since wax and Rex begonias don't have a dormant tuber, you can't just stick them in a box in the basement. To keep them as perennials, you have to bring the whole plant inside.
The Transition Process
Plants can experience "shock" when moved from a humid garden to a dry, climate-controlled house. To make it easier, bring them inside before you turn on the heater for the season. Inspect the plants thoroughly for any insects. It is a good idea to give them a gentle rinse or use an organic insecticidal soap to ensure you aren't bringing "hitchhikers" into your home.
Light and Water
Inside the house, your begonias will need bright, indirect light. A window facing east or west is often the best spot. Remember that indoor air is much drier than outdoor air. You can increase humidity by placing the pots on a tray filled with pebbles and a bit of water.
Watering is the most important part of indoor begonia care. "Drainage" is a term gardeners use to describe how fast water leaves the soil. Begonias hate sitting in soggy dirt. Use a pot with holes in the bottom and only water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Right Plant, Right Place: The Secret to Begonia Success
Whether you treat your begonias as annuals or perennials, they will only look their best if you meet their basic needs. Success starts with matching the plant to the right spot in your yard.
Light Requirements
Most begonias are famous for loving the shade, but "shade" can mean many things.
- Filtered Light: Most tuberous begonias thrive in "dappled" sunlight, like the light that filters through the leaves of a large tree.
- Morning Sun: They generally enjoy the soft light of the morning but need protection from the harsh, hot afternoon sun, which can scorch their delicate leaves.
- Darker Leaves: As a general rule, begonias with bronze or dark foliage can handle more direct sunlight than those with bright green leaves.
For more guidance, see this guide to growing begonias in full shade.
Soil and Drainage
Begonias have very fine, sensitive roots. They need soil that is rich in organic matter but still light and "fluffy." If your garden soil is heavy clay, the water won't drain away, and the roots or tubers may rot.
If you have heavy soil, we recommend planting begonias in raised beds or containers. This gives you total control over the growing medium. A high-quality, peat-based potting mix is usually the perfect choice for keeping begonias happy.
Water Habits
The goal for begonia watering is "consistent moisture." You want the soil to feel like a wrung-out sponge. If you let the soil get bone-dry, the plant will wilt and lose its flowers. However, if you water every single day without checking the soil, you run the risk of overwatering. Always poke your finger into the soil first. If it feels wet, wait another day.
Using Begonias in Your Landscape
Because begonias come in so many shapes and sizes, they are incredibly useful for solving landscape problems.
- Hanging Baskets: Tuberous varieties with cascading stems are perfect for porches. One or two large tubers can fill an entire basket with a waterfall of color. Explore Hanging Begonias for trailing options.
- Edging: Wax begonias grow in neat, mounded shapes. This makes them ideal for lining a walkway or the front of a flower bed. They stay compact and won't flop over onto the path.
- Containers: Rex begonias act as a "thriller" in pot arrangements. Their bold colors and patterns provide visual interest even when other plants aren't blooming.
- Brightening Dark Corners: Because they tolerate low light, begonias are the go-to choice for those north-facing areas of the house where nothing else seems to grow.
Longfield Gardens offers a variety of begonia types that fit these different roles. We maintain a trial garden to evaluate how these plants perform in real-world conditions, so we only offer varieties that we know will provide consistent results for home gardeners.
Caring for Your Begonias Throughout the Season
Once your begonias are planted, they are relatively low-maintenance, but a little extra attention goes a long way toward keeping them vibrant until the first frost.
Feeding Your Plants
Begonias are "heavy feeders," meaning they use a lot of nutrients to produce those constant blooms. We suggest using a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer about once a month. This provides the energy the plant needs to keep pushing out new flower buds.
Deadheading and Grooming
"Deadheading" is the process of removing old, faded flowers. Many modern begonia varieties, like the wax begonias, are "self-cleaning," which means the old flowers fall off on their own. However, tuberous begonias benefit from a quick tidy-up. Removing spent blooms prevents the plant from putting energy into seed production and encourages it to make more flowers.
Monitoring for Pests
Keep an eye out for common garden visitors like aphids or mealybugs. If you catch them early, a quick blast of water from the hose or a spray of neem oil is usually enough to handle the situation. Remember, a healthy plant is much better at resisting pests than a stressed one. By getting the light and water right, you solve most problems before they even start.
Conclusion
Whether you choose to treat begonias as a one-season splash of color or a long-term perennial investment, they are one of the most rewarding plants you can grow. Their ability to thrive in the shade and provide "non-stop" blooms makes them an essential part of any beautiful yard.
At Longfield Gardens, we take pride in providing high-quality tubers and plants that are true to variety and ready to thrive. Remember that gardening is about enjoying the process. If you decide to let the frost take your begonias this year and start fresh next spring, that is a perfectly fine way to garden. If you decide to lift your tubers and save them, enjoy the satisfaction of seeing that same plant return year after year.
- Know your zone: Check if you are in a tropical area (Zones 9–11) where they stay outside.
- Pick your type: Choose tuberous for big blooms or wax for easy bedding.
- Manage the cold: Bring them in or lift tubers before the first frost hits.
- Watch the water: Ensure good drainage to keep roots healthy and strong.
"Begonias bridge the gap between indoor beauty and outdoor vibrancy, making them one of the most versatile tools in a gardener's kit."
Ready to start your begonia journey? Explore our selection of premium begonia tubers and find the perfect colors for your shade garden today.
FAQ
Can I leave my begonias in the ground over winter?
You can only leave begonias in the ground if you live in USDA zones 9, 10, or 11, where temperatures rarely drop below freezing. In any other zone, the frost will kill the plants unless they are "Hardy Begonias" (Begonia grandis), which can survive down to zone 6. Review this hardiness and climate guide for more information.
How do I know if my begonia is tuberous or fibrous?
Check the base of the plant. Tuberous begonias grow from a brown, rounded, potato-like structure just below the soil. Fibrous begonias (like wax begonias) have a mass of thin, hair-like roots and no central bulb or tuber.
Do begonias need a lot of sun to bloom?
Most begonias prefer filtered light or partial shade. While wax begonias can handle a fair amount of sun, especially in cooler northern climates, most varieties will experience leaf scorch if they are exposed to the intense heat of the afternoon sun. This shade-growing guide explains how to choose the right light conditions.
Why did my stored begonia tubers rot during the winter?
Rot is usually caused by too much moisture or poor air circulation. Ensure your tubers are completely dry (cured) before storing them, and use a breathable container like a cardboard box rather than plastic. Avoid storing them in a damp basement; a cool, dry area is best.
