Introduction
Imagine a plant that offers velvet-textured leaves, neon-bright blooms, and the ability to thrive where most other flowers struggle. Begonias are the chameleons of the garden world, offering everything from massive, rose-like flowers to intricate, swirling foliage that looks like it was painted by hand. Whether you want to brighten a shaded patio or add color to a sunny windowsill, finding the right source for these plants is the first step toward a successful growing season.
At Longfield Gardens, we know that the variety of begonias available can be both exciting and a bit surprising for new gardeners. You might find them at a local nursery, a large home improvement store, or through a specialty online supplier. Each source offers different benefits depending on the specific type of begonia you are looking for and how much work you want to do at the start.
This guide will help you navigate the different places to buy begonias so you can find the highest quality plants for your specific needs. We will cover the differences between buying live potted plants and dormant tubers, and how to choose a supplier you can trust. By the end of this article, you will know exactly where to look to find the perfect begonias for your home and garden.
Key Takeaway: The best place to buy begonias depends on whether you want instant color from a nursery or a wider selection of unique varieties through online tuber specialists.
Understanding What You Are Buying: Plants vs. Tubers
Before you decide where to buy, it is important to understand that begonias are sold in two primary forms: live potted plants and dormant tubers. Your choice between the two will often dictate where you shop.
Live Potted Begonias
When you walk into a local garden center in late spring, you will see rows of begonias already in bloom. These are usually wax begonias, angel wing begonias, or Rex begonias. Buying a live plant gives you "instant" results. You can see the flower color immediately and the plant is already established in a pot or tray. This is a great option for gardeners who want to fill a window box or a hanging basket right away without waiting for a bulb to sprout.
Begonia Tubers
Many of the most spectacular outdoor begonias—like the giant double-flowered or cascading types—are sold as dormant tubers. A tuber is a thickened underground stem, similar to a bulb, that holds all the energy the plant needs to grow. Buying tubers is often the best way to get large, showy flowers at a lower cost.
At Longfield Gardens, we focus on providing high-quality tubers because they allow gardeners to access a much wider variety of colors and forms than what is typically available in a local six-pack of annuals. Tubers are also much easier to ship safely across the country than delicate, leafy plants.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Choose live plants if: You are shopping in the middle of summer, you want a houseplant for your desk, or you need to fill a bare spot in a flower bed immediately.
- Choose tubers if: You want the biggest possible blooms, you enjoy the process of watching a plant grow from the start, or you are looking for specific varieties like "Picotee" or "Bouton de Rose."
Buying Begonias at Local Garden Centers
Local independent nurseries and garden centers are a traditional favorite for many gardeners. These shops often carry varieties that are known to perform well in your specific climate.
What to Expect Locally
When you shop at a local nursery, you are likely to find "bedding" begonias. These are typically smaller plants sold in plastic cell packs. They are perfect for mass planting in garden borders or as fillers in mixed containers. You may also find large, pre-planted hanging baskets of tuberous begonias that are already in full glory.
The Benefits of Shopping Local
The biggest advantage of buying locally is the ability to inspect the plant before you pay for it. You can look for sturdy stems, healthy green leaves, and a strong root system. Local nurseries also provide an opportunity to ask experts for advice on which varieties handle your local humidity or sun levels best.
Things to Keep in Mind
Local inventory is limited by shelf space. You might find "red" or "pink" wax begonias, but you are less likely to find rare foliage patterns or specific prize-winning tuberous hybrids. Additionally, local shops only carry begonias during the active growing season. If you want to get a head start on your garden in late winter or early spring, local shops may not have stock yet.
Buying Begonias at Big-Box Home Improvement Stores
Retailers like Home Depot, Lowe's, and Walmart are convenient options for many home gardeners. Because these stores buy in massive quantities, they often have the lowest prices on common begonia varieties.
Selection and Availability
Big-box stores usually stock large quantities of "Nonstop" begonias and wax begonias. These are reliable performers that appeal to a wide range of people. If you need 50 identical plants to line a long walkway, a big-box store is often the most budget-friendly place to go.
Quality Considerations
While the prices are low, the plants in these stores sometimes sit on hot asphalt or under bright lights for days without proper care. When buying from a large retailer, check the soil moisture. If the soil is pulling away from the sides of the pot or the leaves are wilting, the plant may be stressed. Look for fresh shipments that haven't been sitting on the shelf for too long.
Key Takeaway: Local and big-box stores are excellent for common varieties and instant color, but they often lack the diversity found through online specialists.
Why Many Gardeners Prefer Buying Online
Buying begonias online has become the preferred method for enthusiasts who want something beyond the basic red and green varieties. When you buy from a reputable online supplier, you gain access to a global inventory of plants and tubers.
Access to Unique Varieties
Online stores are not limited by local shelf space. This means they can offer a staggering array of choices. You can find begonias with silver-spotted leaves, ruffled petals that look like carnations, and pendulous varieties that trail three feet down from a hanging basket. We find that gardeners who shop online are often looking for these specific aesthetic features that local stores simply cannot stock.
Expert Handling and Shipping
Specialty nurseries understand how to pack delicate tubers and plants. Tubers are tough, but they still need to be kept at the right temperature and moisture level during transit. When you order from us, we ensure that your begonias are stored in climate-controlled conditions right up until they are shipped to your door.
Better Value for Large Displays
Buying tubers online is almost always more cost-effective than buying fully grown plants locally. Because tubers are compact and lightweight, shipping is efficient. This allows you to buy more plants for the same budget, which is ideal if you want to create a high-impact display on a porch or patio.
How to Choose a High-Quality Online Supplier
Not all online plant shops are created equal. Since you cannot see the product before it arrives, you need to rely on the reputation and practices of the company.
Look for a Quality Guarantee
A trustworthy supplier stands behind their products. Look for a company that offers a 100% quality guarantee. This means the items should arrive in prime condition and be true to the variety you ordered. We take pride in ensuring our tubers are healthy and ready to grow. If a customer experiences a problem during the first growing season, a good supplier will offer a replacement or credit to make it right.
Check the Source
The best begonias often come from regions with a long history of professional bulb and tuber production, such as Holland. Suppliers who work directly with trusted growers in these regions tend to have more consistent quality. At Longfield Gardens, we maintain close relationships with our growers and even have a trial garden where we evaluate plant performance ourselves. This ensures that what we sell will actually grow well in a typical American backyard.
Responsive Customer Service
If you have a question about when to plant or how to care for your begonias, you should be able to reach a real person. Avoid "fly-by-night" websites that don't list a physical address or a clear way to contact customer support. A reliable company provides practical support through articles, guides, and a responsive service team based in the United States.
Buying Specialty Foliage Begonias (Rex and Rhizomatous)
If you are looking for "foliage" begonias—those grown for their incredible leaves rather than their flowers—you will likely need to look at specialty indoor plant shops or collectors' nurseries.
Rex Begonias
Rex begonias are famous for their metallic, swirling, and multi-colored leaves. They are popular as houseplants and for shaded outdoor containers. Because they are more delicate than wax begonias, they are often sold as live potted plants rather than tubers.
Where to Find Them
While some garden centers carry a few Rex varieties, the most spectacular versions are found through online specialty nurseries. These shops often focus on tropical plants and terrarium-friendly species. When buying these online, check the weather. Most reputable shops will delay shipping live tropical plants if temperatures are too low, as begonias are very sensitive to frost.
What to do next:
- Determine if you want begonias for their flowers or their foliage.
- Decide if you prefer the convenience of a live plant or the value of a tuber.
- Look for suppliers that offer a quality guarantee and clear shipping policies.
Timing Your Purchase
Timing is everything when it comes to buying begonias. Because these are tropical plants, they cannot handle the cold.
Pre-Ordering in Winter
The best time to shop for begonia tubers online is in the late winter or early spring. This is when the selection is at its peak. Many popular varieties sell out quickly, so pre-ordering ensures you get exactly what you want. Even if you order in February, a good supplier will hold your order and ship it at the right time for planting in your specific area.
Shipping by Zone
Reliable online nurseries use the USDA plant hardiness zones to determine when it is safe to ship. At Longfield Gardens, we time our shipments to arrive about two weeks before the ideal planting time for your zone. This prevents the tubers from sitting in a cold mailbox or a freezing delivery truck for too long.
Shopping for Bedding Plants
If you are buying live plants from a local nursery, wait until the danger of frost has completely passed. In many parts of the U.S., this is mid-to-late May. Buying too early can lead to "chilled" plants that struggle to recover once the weather finally warms up.
What to Look for When Your Order Arrives
Once you have chosen where to buy and your begonias arrive, a quick inspection will ensure you are off to a great start.
Inspecting Tubers
A healthy begonia tuber should feel firm and heavy for its size, much like a potato. It is normal for them to have a bit of dry, peat-moss-like dust on them from shipping.
- Good signs: Firm texture, visible "eyes" (small bumps where growth will start), and a clean smell.
- Concerns: If a tuber feels mushy, looks shriveled like a raisin, or has significant mold, contact your supplier immediately. A little surface mold is occasionally normal and can be wiped off, but the tuber itself must be solid.
Inspecting Live Plants
If you bought live plants, check them as soon as you get them home or out of the box.
- Good signs: Bright green or richly colored leaves, moist soil, and new growth tips.
- Concerns: Yellowing leaves (usually a sign of overwatering), brown crispy edges (a sign of underwatering or sun scorch), or visible pests like aphids or spider mites.
Pricing and Value: What Should You Pay?
Begonia prices can vary wildly, and the most expensive option isn't always the "best" for every gardener.
Budget Options
Wax begonias in six-packs are the most affordable. You can often fill an entire garden border for under $30. These are treated as annuals and provide consistent, if somewhat simple, color all season.
Mid-Range Options
Individual tuberous begonia tubers usually cost between $3 and $7 each, depending on the variety and size. When you consider that one tuber can grow into a lush plant with dozens of large flowers, this is an excellent value. Many gardeners find that buying 3-pack or 5-pack bundles provides the best balance of variety and price.
Premium Options
Rare Rex hybrids or large, "specimen" hanging baskets can cost $40 to $75 or more. These are investments in a specific look. If you are a collector or want a "showstopper" piece for your front porch, these premium prices can be worth it for the unique genetics and the time the grower spent maturing the plant.
Supporting the "Buy Local" and "Buy Quality" Balance
Many successful gardeners use a hybrid approach. They might buy their basic "filler" plants locally to support their community nurseries, while ordering their "thriller" plants—the unique, high-performing tuberous begonias—from specialists like us.
By buying your tubers from a dedicated supplier, you ensure that the core of your garden display is built on high-quality genetics. Then, you can visit your local nursery in May to pick up some potting soil, fertilizer, and a few companion plants like lobelia or bacopa to finish the look.
Key Takeaway: Combining the value of online tubers with the convenience of local accessories is often the most successful strategy for home gardeners.
Shipping Logistics: Getting Your Plants Safely
When buying online, it is helpful to know how the "behind the scenes" logistics work. We ship from our facility in Lakewood, New Jersey, using trusted carriers like UPS and FedEx.
Tracking and Delivery
When your order leaves our warehouse, you should receive a tracking number. This is your best tool for ensuring your plants don't sit outside in the sun or cold for too long after delivery. While a "label created" notice means the process has started, the true shipping confirmation happens once the carrier picks up the package.
Geographic Restrictions
Keep in mind that some states have agricultural restrictions. For example, while it doesn't usually apply to begonias, certain allium bulbs cannot be shipped to parts of Idaho. Most reputable begonia sellers only ship within the 48 contiguous United States to ensure that the plants arrive quickly and stay healthy during transit.
Preparing for Success After You Buy
Where you buy your plants is the first step, but how you handle them after they arrive determines your success. Begonias are remarkably easy to grow if you remember a few simple rules.
Soil and Drainage
Whether you bought a live plant or a tuber, begonias hate "wet feet." This means they need soil that drains water quickly. If you are planting in containers, use a high-quality potting mix. If you are planting in the ground, ensure the area doesn't hold standing water after a rainstorm.
Light Requirements
Most begonias are famous for loving shade, but "shade" doesn't mean total darkness. They love filtered light, such as the dappled sunlight under a tree or the morning sun on a porch. Too much hot afternoon sun will scorch their leaves, while too little light will result in fewer flowers.
Patience is Key
If you bought tubers, don't be worried if they take a few weeks to sprout. Begonias are slow starters. They need warmth to "wake up." Once the soil temperature stays consistently warm, they will take off and grow rapidly. This wait is always worthwhile when those first massive blooms appear in mid-summer.
Conclusion
Finding where to buy begonia plants is an exciting part of the gardening process. Whether you prefer the instant gratification of a local nursery or the incredible variety and value of online tubers, there is a source out there that fits your style. At Longfield Gardens, we are committed to helping you succeed by providing premium tubers and the practical advice you need to grow them beautifully.
- Determine your goals: Do you want massive outdoor blooms or decorative indoor foliage?
- Choose your source: Use local stores for common bedding plants and online specialists for unique tubers and varieties.
- Check for quality: Look for firm tubers, healthy foliage, and a strong company guarantee.
- Time it right: Order early to get the best selection, but only plant outside when the weather is warm.
"Gardening should be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. By starting with high-quality plants and tubers from a source you trust, you are setting yourself up for a season full of color and success."
Ready to start your begonia journey? Explore the Non Stop Begonias collection and find the perfect match for your home today.
FAQ
Can I buy begonias in the winter?
You can often pre-order begonia tubers online during the winter months, which is the best time to find the widest selection of unique varieties. However, live potted begonias are typically only available in local stores during the spring and summer. If you order online in winter, the company will usually hold your shipment until it is safe to plant in your specific climate zone.
Is it cheaper to buy begonia plants or tubers?
Buying tubers is almost always more cost-effective, especially if you are looking for large-flowered tuberous varieties. Tubers are less expensive to produce and ship than live plants. While you have to wait a little longer for a tuber to grow and bloom, the final plant is often larger and more vigorous than a small bedding plant from a nursery.
What should I do if my begonias arrive damaged?
If you receive a shipment of begonias that appears damaged, shriveled, or mushy, you should contact the supplier immediately. Reputable companies like us offer a quality guarantee and will work with you to provide a replacement or credit. Taking a quick photo of the damaged items as soon as they arrive can help the customer service team resolve the issue faster.
Are begonias safe to have around pets?
It is important to note that begonias are considered toxic to cats and dogs if ingested. The most toxic part of the plant is the tuber or the roots. If you have pets that like to dig or chew on plants, it is best to keep your begonias in hanging baskets or high containers out of their reach. Always consult with a veterinarian if you suspect your pet has eaten any part of a begonia plant.
