Tuberous Begonias Begonia
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- beh-GO-nee-ah
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Begoniaceae is a large flowering plant family with about 1500 different species and hundreds of hybrids. Mature begonia plants range in size from a few inches high to over 12 feet high and the flowers, foliage colors and sizes are very diverse. Most have fleshy stems. Some produce underground tubers or rhizomes. The American Begonia Society divides begonias into 7 informal groups by growth habit: cane-like, rex-cultorum, rhizomatous, semperflorens, tuberous, trailing or scandent, thick-stemmed and shrub-like.
The Rex-cultorum Group, commonly called Rex begonias, are usually rhizomatous and can vary in size and habit. They are grown primarily for their showy foliage. The leaves come in every color, pattern and shade, and every size and shape. Rex begonias are typically planted outdoors in mild climates as an annual summer bulb; alternatively, they can be grown as perennials in containers and brought indoors during the winter. Technically, Begonia spp. is an organ called an enlarged hypocotyl and it has hardiness of Tender III- injured below 25 degrees F (2 degrees C). Rex begonia needs morning sun to partial shade and, while it will tolerate full sun, it prefers sun dappled part shade and a good mulch in hot summer climates. It will tolerate considerable shade, but the result will be a more open form and fewer blooms. When grown outdoors, set plants out after last frost and space the plants 9 to 12 inches (22-30 cm) apart. When grown in containers and placed indoors, plants may be cut back in fall and overwintered in a cool location with reduced watering..
This plant needs bright indirect light year-round and humid conditions (though direct misting of the foliage encourages powdery mildew). They need consistent water, but do not tolerate overwatering. Allow soils to dry between watering. They can tolerate less light than other begonias and will do well under fluorescents. It propagates easily by division through its knobby rhizomatous roots.
Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:
Susceptible to bacterial leaf spot, powdery mildew, botrytis, and stem rot, especially in humid conditions with poor air circulation. Watch for mealybugs and thrips.
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 landscapes:
- Garden "Bed" Border Landscape Pinewild County Club, Moore County Coastal Shady Garden Border Landscape Pinewild County Club, Moore County Garden "Bed" Border Landscape Pinewild County Club, Moore County Garden "Bed" Border Landscape Pinewild County Club, Moore County Pond Garden Coastal Shady Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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'Argenteo-guttata'
- Belgian begonias
- 'On Top Sun Glow'
1st Place Container Plant in the 2019 NC State Annual Color Trials - Rex begonias
Dark green serrated leaves with silver veins - Belgian begonias
- 'Argenteo-guttata', Belgian begonias, 'On Top Sun Glow', Rex begonias
- Tags:


















- Cultivars / Varieties:
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'Argenteo-guttata'
- Belgian begonias
- 'On Top Sun Glow'
1st Place Container Plant in the 2019 NC State Annual Color Trials - Rex begonias
Dark green serrated leaves with silver veins - Belgian begonias
- 'Argenteo-guttata', Belgian begonias, 'On Top Sun Glow', Rex begonias
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Begonia
- Family:
- Begoniaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Root Cutting
- Stem Cutting
- Bulb Storage:
- Harvest enlarged hypocotyls in fall, dry, store in dry peat at 35-41 degrees F (2-5 degrees C)
- Edibility:
- The flowers are citrus flavored with a slightly bitter aftertaste. They can be eaten raw, or cooked in sauces.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Bulb
- Houseplant
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10b, 10a, 11b, 11a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Winged capsule, seeds numerous and small.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Long Bloom Season
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Showy blooms range in color from pink, red, yellow, white, or bicolors and can be found in doubles.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Variegated
- White
- Leaf Feel:
- Waxy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Orbicular
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Lobed
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Showy leaves can be 6 inches long, asymmetrical with tapered ends and toothed edges.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- Erect, with rhizomes or tubers, generally fleshy.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses