Introduction
Finding the perfect splash of color for a shady corner of your yard is one of the most rewarding parts of spring planning. While many people think of begonias only as stars of hanging baskets or porch pots, they are actually versatile enough to take center stage in your garden beds. At Longfield Gardens, we enjoy helping gardeners discover how these tropical beauties can transform a dim walkway or a quiet border into a lush, vibrant landscape, and our Begonia Flower Bulbs for Sale collection is a great place to start.
This guide is designed for home gardeners who want to know if, when, and how to transition begonias from the nursery or the bulb bag directly into the soil. For a broader look at the family, see our All About Begonias guide. We will cover the best varieties for garden beds, the specific soil and light needs for success, and how to care for them so they bloom from early summer until the first frost.
With a few simple steps, you can successfully grow begonias in the ground to create a carpet of color that lasts all season long.
Choosing the Best Begonias for Garden Beds
The short answer is yes, you can absolutely plant begonias in the ground. However, success starts with choosing the right type of begonia for your specific garden goals. Not all begonias behave the same way when they are planted in a landscape bed versus a container.
Tuberous Begonias
Tuberous begonias are the most common choice for gardeners looking for large, dramatic blooms. These grow from a thickened, underground stem called a tuber. They are famous for their rose-like or camellia-like flowers and can grow quite large. When planted in the ground, they provide a height and texture that few other shade-loving plants can match. We focus on providing high-quality tubers because they produce stronger stems and more abundant flowers than smaller, lower-grade options, including our Non Stop Begonias.
Wax Begonias
If you are looking for a low-growing, "mounding" effect, wax begonias (Begonia semperflorens) are an excellent choice. These are often sold in flats at local garden centers. They have fleshy, succulent-like leaves that are either green or bronze. They are exceptionally hardy in the ground and are often used as edging plants or for mass plantings because they fill in gaps quickly.
Hardy Begonias
While most begonias are treated as annuals in most of the United States, Begonia grandis is a hardy perennial variety. If you live in USDA zones 6 through 9, this plant can stay in the ground year-round. For more details on winter survival, see our What Zone Do Begonias Grow In? guide. It has beautiful heart-shaped leaves and delicate pink flowers that appear later in the summer. It is a fantastic companion for hostas and ferns.
Selecting the Best Spot in Your Garden
Before you pick up a trowel, you need to find the "right place" for your plants. Begonias are often called shade plants, but their needs are a bit more nuanced than that.
Light Requirements
Most begonias thrive in filtered light or dappled shade. Imagine the light under a tall, leafy tree—this is the ideal environment. While they can handle some morning sun, the harsh, direct light of the afternoon can scorch their leaves and cause the flowers to wilt. If your garden is in deep, dark shade where even grass won't grow, begonias may grow leaves but struggle to produce flowers. For a closer look at placement, see our Are Begonias a Shade Plant? guide. Aim for a spot that gets about four hours of indirect light or very soft morning sun.
Soil and Drainage
"Drainage" refers to how fast water leaves the soil after a rain or watering. Begonias have very fleshy stems and roots that hold a lot of water. Because of this, they are prone to rotting if they sit in "wet feet" (soggy soil).
To check your drainage, dig a small hole and fill it with water. If the water is still there an hour later, your soil is likely heavy in clay and needs help. You can improve drainage by mixing in organic matter like compost or leaf mold. This loosens the soil and allows air and water to move more freely. If you are mapping out a planting site, our Where Do I Plant Begonias? Top Spots for Shade Gardens guide can help.
Space to Breathe
Begonias are susceptible to powdery mildew, a fungal issue that looks like white dust on the leaves. To prevent this, don't crowd your plants. Air needs to be able to circulate around the leaves. When planting in the ground, give each plant enough room to reach its full width without touching its neighbor immediately.
Key Takeaway: Begonias need a spot with dappled shade and soil that doesn't stay soggy. If your soil is heavy clay, planting them in a slightly raised mound can help keep the roots from getting too wet.
When to Plant Begonias Outdoors
Timing is everything with begonias. Because they are tropical in origin, they have no "antifreeze" in their system. A single night of frost can turn a healthy plant into mush.
The 60°F Rule
Wait until the soil has warmed up to at least 60°F before planting. Even if the air feels warm during the day, cold soil will stunt the growth of the tubers and may cause them to rot before they ever sprout. In most parts of the country, this means waiting until late May or early June.
Watching the Forecast
Check your local "last frost date," but use it only as a starting point. Weather varies year to year. It is much better to wait an extra week for settled, warm weather than to rush and risk losing your plants to a late-season cold snap. If you want a head start, you can begin your tubers indoors in pots about eight weeks before the last frost and then transplant the established plants into the ground once it is warm.
What to Do Next
- Check your USDA Hardiness Zone to understand your local climate.
- Monitor your garden's light patterns for a few days before planting.
- Buy a simple soil thermometer to check the ground temperature.
- Prepare your soil by mixing in a few inches of compost.
How to Plant Begonias in the Ground: Step-by-Step
Once the weather is right and your spot is picked, planting is a straightforward process. Whether you are planting a tuber you bought from us or a transplant from a nursery, follow these steps.
Step 1: Loosen the Soil
Dig the area where you want to plant, loosening the soil to a depth of about six to eight inches. This makes it easier for the new roots to spread out and find nutrients.
Step 2: Determine "Up" for Tubers
If you are planting dormant tubers, look for the side with a slight depression or "bowl" shape. This hollow side should face upward. The rounded, smooth side is the bottom. If the tuber has already started to sprout, you will see small pink or white "eyes" in the hollow part—these are the new stems.
Step 3: Dig the Hole
For a tuber, dig a shallow hole. Place the tuber in the hole and cover it with no more than one inch of soil. Planting too deep is a common mistake that can prevent the sprouts from reaching the surface. For a pre-started plant, dig a hole as deep as the container it is currently in.
Step 4: Spacing
- Tuberous Begonias: Space these about 10 to 12 inches apart. They need room for their large leaves to expand.
- Wax Begonias: These can be planted closer together, about 6 to 8 inches apart, if you want them to form a solid border quickly.
Step 5: Initial Watering
After planting, water the area lightly. You want the soil to be moist so it settles around the roots or tuber, but you do not want it to be soaking wet.
Action List for Planting:
- Clear the area of weeds and debris.
- Add a handful of compost to each planting hole.
- Place tubers hollow-side up.
- Cover with 1 inch of soil.
- Water once to settle the soil, then wait for sprouts before watering again.
Water and Fertilizer: The "Goldilocks" Approach
Begonias prefer things to be "just right"—not too wet, not too dry, and not too much or too little food.
Watering Techniques
The best way to water begonias in the ground is to aim for the base of the plant. Avoid getting water on the leaves and flowers, as this can encourage fungal diseases or cause the heavy blooms of tuberous varieties to break.
Use the "finger test": stick your finger an inch into the soil. If it feels dry, it is time to water. If it feels damp, wait a day. Begonias in the ground usually need less frequent watering than those in pots because the ground stays cool and retains moisture longer. However, during a mid-summer heatwave, you may need to check them more often.
Feeding for Better Blooms
Begonias are "heavy feeders," meaning they need a steady supply of nutrients to keep producing those spectacular flowers. When you first plant them, a balanced, slow-release fertilizer mixed into the soil is a great start.
Once the plants are established and you see flower buds forming, you can use a liquid fertilizer every two weeks. Look for one designed for flowering plants (often labeled as "bloom boosters"). This will help the plant put its energy into flower production rather than just growing more leaves.
Routine Maintenance for a Tidy Garden
Begonias are relatively low-maintenance, but a little bit of attention goes a long way in keeping the garden looking its best.
Deadheading
"Deadheading" is simply the practice of removing faded or dead flowers. On tuberous begonias, the flowers will eventually turn brown and may fall off on their own, but snipping them off early keeps the plant looking neat. It also prevents the plant from trying to produce seeds, which encourages it to grow more flowers instead.
Managing Growth
Tuberous begonias can sometimes become "top-heavy" because their flowers are so large and their stems are quite brittle. If you notice a plant leaning or sagging, you can use a small bamboo stake and a loose tie to give it some support. Be very gentle, as the stems snap easily.
Mulching
A thin layer of mulch (about one inch) around your begonias can help keep the soil temperature consistent and prevent weeds from popping up. Use something light, like shredded bark or cocoa hulls. Keep the mulch an inch or two away from the main stem of the plant to prevent rot.
Realistic Expectations for Your Begonia Garden
Gardening is a partnership with nature, and results can vary based on your local conditions. It is important to remember that begonias grow at their own pace.
Patience is Rewarded
Tuberous begonias can be slow to start. It may take two to four weeks for the first green shoots to peek through the soil. This is completely normal! Once the weather stays consistently warm, the plants will hit a growth spurt and fill out quickly.
Weather Sensitivity
If you have a particularly rainy summer, your begonias in the ground might struggle more than usual. Because they are in the ground, you can't move them under a porch like you could with a pot. If the soil stays saturated for too long, you might lose a few plants to rot. On the flip side, in a very hot, dry summer, they may require more frequent deep watering to stay hydrated.
Bloom Cycles
Begonias are fantastic because they don't usually have an "off" season. Once they start blooming, they generally continue until the first frost. However, the size and number of blooms might fluctuate slightly depending on how much fertilizer they receive and how hot the nights are.
Handling Pests and Common Issues
The best defense against pests is a healthy plant, but occasionally, you may run into a few visitors.
Deer and Rabbits
While no plant is 100% "deer-proof," begonias are generally not a favorite snack for deer or rabbits. However, if animals are hungry enough, they may nibble on the tender stems. If you have a high population of wildlife in your yard, consider using a safe, scent-based repellent around the perimeter of your garden bed.
Insects
Slug and snail damage is the most common issue for begonias in the ground. They love the fleshy leaves and can leave ragged holes. If you notice slime trails or holes in the leaves, you can use a pet-safe slug bait or even a shallow dish of beer buried at soil level to manage them. Aphids or mealybugs are less common in the ground than they are on houseplants, but they can be rinsed off with a gentle spray from a hose.
Disease Prevention
As mentioned earlier, powdery mildew is the main disease to watch for. If you see white spots on the leaves, try to improve air circulation. You can also find organic fungicidal sprays at your local garden center. Always follow the label instructions carefully and apply these products in the cool of the evening to avoid leaf burn.
What to Do When the Season Ends
In most of the United States, begonias cannot survive the winter in the ground. As the temperatures drop in autumn, you have two choices: treat them as annuals or save the tubers for next year.
Treating as Annuals
Many gardeners choose to simply let the frost take the plants and then clear them away to the compost pile. This is a stress-free way to garden and allows you to try new varieties every spring.
Saving the Tubers
If you have a favorite variety, saving the tubers is a fun way to keep the plant going. Longfield Gardens stands behind that kind of success with its 100% Quality Guarantee.
- After the first light frost turns the foliage black, carefully dig up the tubers.
- Leave the stems attached and let the tubers dry in a cool, protected area (like a garage or shed) for a week or two.
- Once the stems are dry and brittle, they should pull away easily from the tuber.
- Brush off the loose soil and wrap each tuber in newspaper or store them in a box of dry peat moss or sand.
- Keep them in a cool (about 50°F), dark, and dry place until next spring.
Key Takeaway: You don't have to say goodbye to your begonias forever. Saving tubers is a simple way to build your garden collection year after year.
Conclusion
Planting begonias in the ground is an easy and effective way to bring high-impact color to the shaded areas of your landscape. By choosing the right location, waiting for the soil to warm, and providing steady water and food, you can enjoy a stunning display that lasts all summer long. At Longfield Gardens, we take pride in providing the quality plants and practical advice you need to feel confident in your garden. For shipping details, see our Shipping Information page.
Whether you are edging a walkway with wax begonias or creating a focal point with massive tuberous blooms, the results are well worth the effort.
- Select a shaded spot with excellent drainage.
- Wait until soil temperatures reach 60°F before planting.
- Plant tubers 1 inch deep with the hollow side facing up.
- Enjoy continuous blooms from summer through fall.
"Gardening is about finding the joy in the process. When you get the basics of soil and timing right, plants like begonias do most of the hard work for you, rewarding your patience with a spectacular show of color."
We look forward to helping you grow a more beautiful garden this season.
FAQ
Can I plant tuberous begonias in full sun if they are in the ground?
Most tuberous begonias will scorch and wilt in full sun, especially in the afternoon. However, some modern varieties are bred to be more heat-tolerant. If your spot is sunny, look specifically for "sun-tolerant" wax begonias or ensure the plants receive plenty of water and some relief during the hottest part of the day.
How deep should I dig the hole for begonia tubers?
You should only dig deep enough so that the top of the tuber is covered by about one inch of soil. Begonia tubers need to be near the surface to sprout successfully. If you are planting a begonia that has already started growing in a pot, dig the hole just deep enough to match the depth of the nursery container.
Why are my begonias in the ground not blooming?
The most common reasons for a lack of blooms are too much shade or a lack of nutrients. While begonias love shade, they still need bright, indirect light to produce flowers. Additionally, ensure you are using a phosphorus-rich fertilizer ("bloom booster") every few weeks once the plants are established to encourage flower production.
Will begonias come back every year if I leave them in the ground?
In most parts of the U.S. (zones 3-8), begonias are tropical and will die if left in the ground during a freeze. Only the Begonia grandis variety is truly hardy in cooler zones. For other types, you must either dig up the tubers and store them indoors for the winter or replant new ones the following spring. For more on their long-term habit, see our Are Begonias a Perennial Plant?.
