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
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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 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.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Pitt County Arboretum Containers
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- '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
- '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:
- 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
- '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:
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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:
- 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.
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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 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.
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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. The 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:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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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
