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Begonia – Wax Types is often confused with:
Begonia – Tuberous Types large, double pink flower
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Catharanthus roseus close up of 2 pink, pinwheel flowers with dark pink eyes.
Dianthus chinensis Dianthus chinensis
Petunia x hybrida Petunia x hybrida
Begonia – Wax Types has some common insect problems:
Mealybugs
Thrips Found on Flowers and Foliage

Wax Begonia Begonia – Wax Types

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Begonia Semperflorens Types
Phonetic Spelling
beh-GO-nee-ah
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

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 also known Semperflorens begonias, as they are a group of hybrids derived from Begonia cucullata (syn. B. semperflorens) and other closely related South American species that have shown some cold hardiness in USDA zones 8-10. 

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 the 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 mealybugs 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. 

More information on Begonia.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Pitt County Arboretum Containers
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Ambassador' Group
    drought and pest tolerant, fleshy green leaves, flowers in shades of red, white, and pink
  • Bada Boom® Mix
    green and bronze leaf varieties, early flowering
  • 'Bedding'
    variegated, yellow splotches on bright green leaves
  • Begonia cucullata var. cucullata (Wax Begonia)
    compact, mounded, succulent, fleshy stems, cordate-shaped leaves, white to pink blooms
  • 'Cocktail' Group
    dark leaves more sun tolerant, flowers white, pink, and red
  • "Double Up' Group
    double blossoms in shades of white, sofl pink, hot pink, and red
  • 'Emperor' Group
    early flowering, blooms found in shades red, pink, rose, white and mixed
  • 'Harmony Scarlet'
    compact, mounding, hybrid, dark bronze leaves, and red flowers
  • 'Prelude White'
    White flowers
  • 'Senator Deep Rose'
    compact, rounded with dark, bronze leaves and pink flowers
'Ambassador' Group, Bada Boom® Mix, 'Bedding', Begonia cucullata var. cucullata (Wax Begonia), 'Cocktail' Group, "Double Up' Group, 'Emperor' Group, 'Harmony Scarlet', 'Prelude White', 'Senator Deep Rose'
Tags:
#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#small spaces#houseplant#drought tolerant#bronze#white flowers#pink flowers#red flowers#shade garden#interiorscape#waxy#low maintenance#fall interest#rabbit resistant#mass planting#window boxes#mounding#edging#summer flowers#deer resistant#border planting#ccp#spring interest#fantz#flowers late spring#flowers midsummer#flowers early summer#flowers late summer#shade border#compact habit#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#flowers early fall#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#problem for horses#heavy shade tolerant#annual#hs111#hs303
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Ambassador' Group
    drought and pest tolerant, fleshy green leaves, flowers in shades of red, white, and pink
  • Bada Boom® Mix
    green and bronze leaf varieties, early flowering
  • 'Bedding'
    variegated, yellow splotches on bright green leaves
  • Begonia cucullata var. cucullata (Wax Begonia)
    compact, mounded, succulent, fleshy stems, cordate-shaped leaves, white to pink blooms
  • 'Cocktail' Group
    dark leaves more sun tolerant, flowers white, pink, and red
  • "Double Up' Group
    double blossoms in shades of white, sofl pink, hot pink, and red
  • 'Emperor' Group
    early flowering, blooms found in shades red, pink, rose, white and mixed
  • 'Harmony Scarlet'
    compact, mounding, hybrid, dark bronze leaves, and red flowers
  • 'Prelude White'
    White flowers
  • 'Senator Deep Rose'
    compact, rounded with dark, bronze leaves and pink flowers
'Ambassador' Group, Bada Boom® Mix, 'Bedding', Begonia cucullata var. cucullata (Wax Begonia), 'Cocktail' Group, "Double Up' Group, 'Emperor' Group, 'Harmony Scarlet', 'Prelude White', 'Senator Deep Rose'
Tags:
#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#small spaces#houseplant#drought tolerant#bronze#white flowers#pink flowers#red flowers#shade garden#interiorscape#waxy#low maintenance#fall interest#rabbit resistant#mass planting#window boxes#mounding#edging#summer flowers#deer resistant#border planting#ccp#spring interest#fantz#flowers late spring#flowers midsummer#flowers early summer#flowers late summer#shade border#compact habit#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#flowers early fall#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#problem for horses#heavy shade tolerant#annual#hs111#hs303
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Begonia
    Family:
    Begoniaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Leaf Cutting
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Bolivia to Brazil and Northern Argentina
    Distribution:
    Native: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Introduced: Bangladesh, Borneo, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Haiti, Korea, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and the United States--AL, FL, GA and HI.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Deer resistant. Some cultivars are resistant to pythium root rot.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Dense
    Mounding
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Winged capsule.
  • 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 two 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, and othe pair of broad obovate; stamens numerous, clustered, and exerted with prominent yellow stamens.
  • 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. The leaf length to width ratio is near 1. Bronze-leaved varieties are more tolerant of full sun.
  • 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
  • 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:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Burning of mouth, throat, lips, and tongue, swelling, difficulty with speech and swallowing; possibly nausea and vomiting, kidney failure.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Soluble calcium oxalates
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Roots
    Sap/Juice