Tuberous Begonia
Begonia × tuberhybrida
Tuberous Begonia blooms from June through September.
Mature size, hardiness zones, sun and the trait tags were checked against named botanical sources for this plant. The bloom months and water need on this page were not.
Growing Tuberous Begonia
Plant it in part shade. It prefers moderate water. It is hardy in USDA zones 9–11. Expect it to reach about 12 in tall and 12 in wide at maturity, in roughly 1 year.
When to plant Tuberous Begonia
Wait until all danger of frost has passed, then plant out Tuberous Begonia into warm soil; in most zones that means late spring. Planted then, it flowers from June to September.
Month-by-month timing for your zone is on the planting calendar: for the middle of its range, start with zone 9 in February.
Comes in 5 varieties across 4 colors
Same plant, same care - pick the color you are growing.
Good to know about Tuberous Begonia
Curated from university extensions, botanic gardens and other primary sources, with the source named on every note.
Safety
Toxic to dogs, cats and horses via soluble calcium oxalates, most concentrated in the tuber. Expect mouth irritation, drooling and vomiting; horses can face kidney failure. per ASPCA and NC State
Worth knowing
Water is the master lever: the same soggy soil that rots the roots and tuber also feeds gray mold and mildew. Water at the base into sharp drainage. per Penn State and NC State
Watering and feeding
Sources split: some urge frequent water and regular feeding for most bloom, but excess of either drops the flower buds. The fix is moderation, not more. per University of Florida and University of Minnesota
Lift and store the tuber
Lift the tuber after a killing frost, cure it 2 to 3 weeks cool and dry, then store at 40 to 50 F in peat or sawdust, never frozen. per Iowa State and University of Minnesota
Groom spent double blooms
Unlike wax begonias, the big double blooms are not self-cleaning. Remove spent flowers and dead leaves, or they lodge in the foliage and trigger gray mold. per University of Florida and Penn State
Deer and rabbit resistant
Deer and rabbits usually pass it by. NC State lists it deer resistant and Clemson deer and rabbit resistant, though very hungry animals may still sample it. per NC State and Clemson
Hates heat and humidity
It sulks in hot, humid summers and shines in cool ones. Clemson notes it thrives in the cooler upper Piedmont and mountains, not the hot lowcountry. per Clemson
What pairs well with Tuberous Begonia
Good companions share its growing conditions and add something it lacks: an earlier or later bloom, a lower carpet in front, or structure through winter.
Azalea
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in mid spring, before this one opens; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; taller at 3.9 ft, for the layer behind it.
Bergenia
Takes part sun to part shade and moderate water; blooms in mid spring, before this one opens; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; echoes the pink.
Camellia
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in midwinter, before this one opens; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; stands well above at 6.6 ft, a canopy to plant beneath.
Hellebore
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in late winter, before this one opens; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; echoes the pink.
Gardenia
Takes part sun to part shade and moderate to high water; opens in late spring and overlaps into this one's season; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; taller at 3.9 ft, for the layer behind it.
Solomon's Seal
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in late spring, before this one opens; a soft color beside the pink.
Christmas Fern
Takes part shade to full shade and moderate water; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter.
Northern Sea Oats
Shares part shade and moderate water; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds; taller at 3.3 ft, for the layer behind it.
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