Begonia (Semperflorens-Cultorum Group)
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Begonia semperflorens-cultorum
- Begonia x tuberhybrida
- Phonetic Spelling
- beh-GO-nee-ah sem-pur-FLOR-enz kul-TOR-um
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Wax begonias are a very popular member of the Begoniaceae (begonia) family, often used as an annual bedding plant or as a tender, herbaceous perennial grown in containers and brought indoors for the winter. Wax begonias are of the Semperflorens-Cultorum hybrid group and are derived from a closely related group of South American species that have shown some cold hardiness in USDA zones 8-10.
Begoniaceae is a large, flowering plant family, the name of which honors Michael Begon (1638-1710), Governor of French Canada, and includes about 1500 different species and hundreds of hybrids. Mature begonia plants range in size from a few inches high to over 12 inches high, and the flowers, foliage colors, and sizes are very diverse.
Wax begonia is a compact, mounded, succulent, and fibrous-rooted plant with fleshy stems and green to bronze leaves. Loose clusters of cymes in leaf axils, single or double and in various colors, bloom from spring to frost. Generally requiring little maintenance, plants mature in size to around 6 to 12 inches high with a similar spread. Once established, wax begonias adapt to a wide range of light conditions, though they do require moderately humus rich, well-drained moist soils. Bronze-leaved varieties tend to do better in sunnier locations. Mulch well in the summer to protect roots, and water well. This plant resists browsing by deer and rabbits and is tolerant of hot summer temperatures, some mild drought, and heavy shade.
To propagate, sow seeds in January in gentle heat and do not cover with compost, or take leaf or stem cuttings. Container plants may be cut back in fall and overwintered indoors in a cool location with reduced watering.
Use wax begonia in patio containers, in window boxes, planted along walkways or woodland edges, or in shady locations. These plants are also a good addition to pollinator and drought-resistant gardens, in containers and window boxes, and massed in borders.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:
Susceptible to mealy bugs and thrips, rot, and fungal diseases. Some cultivars have shown excellent resistance to pythium root rot. See Phytophthora Root and Crown Rot in the Landscape.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Containers at Pitt County Arboretum
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Barbara Rogers'
Clumping nearly five feet tall, large white flowers all season, USDA zones 7-9. - 'Cocktail Whiskey'
Excellent resistance to Pythium root rot. - 'Emperor Red'
- 'Monza'
- 'Party Pink'
Pink flowers bronze leaves - 'Prelude White'
White flowers - 'Senator Red'
Red flowers - 'Whopper Rose Bronze Leaf'
- 'Barbara Rogers'
- 'Barbara Rogers', 'Cocktail Whiskey', 'Emperor Red', 'Monza', 'Party Pink', 'Prelude White', 'Senator Red', 'Whopper Rose Bronze Leaf'
- Tags:




- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Barbara Rogers'
Clumping nearly five feet tall, large white flowers all season, USDA zones 7-9. - 'Cocktail Whiskey'
Excellent resistance to Pythium root rot. - 'Emperor Red'
- 'Monza'
- 'Party Pink'
Pink flowers bronze leaves - 'Prelude White'
White flowers - 'Senator Red'
Red flowers - 'Whopper Rose Bronze Leaf'
- 'Barbara Rogers'
- 'Barbara Rogers', 'Cocktail Whiskey', 'Emperor Red', 'Monza', 'Party Pink', 'Prelude White', 'Senator Red', 'Whopper Rose Bronze Leaf'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Begonia
- Family:
- Begoniaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Leaf Cutting
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern United States
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer resistant. Some cultivars resistant to pythium root rot.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Dense
- Mounding
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Winged capsule.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- Loose clusters of cymes in leaf axils single or double in various colors bloom from spring to frost. Four-parted, with two small and twp large petal-like parts and many stamens. Female flowers have 4 to 5 subequal petals bearing an inferior swollen ovary with wings. Male flowers have 4 unequal petals, two lateral petals very narrow, othe pair broad obovate; stamens numerous, clustered, exerted with prominent yellow stamens.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Glossy
- Waxy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Orbicular
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Asymmetrical/oblique, waxy green to bronze leaves, broad with toothed margins. Leaf length to width ratio is near 1. Bronze-leaved varieties are more tolerant of full sun.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Branched, clumping, fleshy, glabrous. Branches erect, contorted near base, yellow, and resemble an erect horseshoe
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heavy Shade
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses