How to Grow Begonias
Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum
Non-stop color from spring to frost with zero deadheading — the most forgiving bedding annual for shade and sun.
By the Plants by Zone Editorial Team · Reviewed June 1, 2026
About begonias
Wax begonias (also called fibrous or semperflorens begonias) bloom continuously without deadheading from transplant until hard frost, making them one of the most maintenance-free annuals in the garden. Their waxy, rounded leaves — glossy green for shadier spots, rich bronze for sunnier ones — and cheerful clusters of red, pink, or white flowers perform equally well in containers, borders, and shaded beds. Though the seed is near-microscopic and needs a very long indoor start, buying transplants makes growing them as simple as digging a hole.
When to plant and harvest begonias
Timing is relative to your frost dates. Find your USDA zone for exact dates, or browse the month-by-month calendars.
Start seeds indoors
12–14 weeks before last frost — press the dust-like seed onto the surface and mist gently
Transplant outdoors
After last frost, once nights are reliably above 50°F
Direct sow
Not practical — seed is near-microscopic and requires 12–14 weeks of controlled indoor conditions
Harvest
Self-cleaning — no deadheading needed; remove yellowed or diseased leaves as they appear
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How to grow begonias step by step
- 1
Buy nursery transplants for the easiest approach, or start seeds indoors 12–14 weeks before last frost: press the near-microscopic seed onto the surface of moist germinating mix and do not cover — it needs light to sprout.
- 2
Keep the seed tray at 70–75°F under very bright light; mist gently rather than pouring water so the tiny seedlings are not displaced.
- 3
Harden off over 7–10 days and transplant after the last frost, spacing 8–12 in apart.
- 4
Mulch shallowly to retain moisture; begonia roots are shallow and dry out quickly between waterings.
- 5
No deadheading is required — spent petals drop cleanly on their own and new buds form continuously throughout the season.
- 6
Feed every 2–3 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer to keep plants compact and prolific through summer.
Common problems growing begonias
⚠ Powdery mildew (white coating on leaves)
Common in humid weather with poor airflow — space plants well, water at the base, and choose mildew-resistant varieties; remove affected leaves promptly.
⚠ Root rot / stem collapse
From overwatering or a pot without drainage — allow the top of the soil to approach dryness before watering and never let containers sit in standing water.
⚠ Leggy stems and sparse bloom
Insufficient light — move plants to a brighter spot; bronze-leafed varieties handle more sun than green-leafed types.
⚠ Mealybugs clustering at leaf joints and stem bases
Dab with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol, or spray thoroughly with insecticidal soap; treat early before colonies spread across multiple plants.
✗ Keep away from
🧺 Harvesting begonias
Wax begonias are self-cleaning, so skip deadheading and focus instead on removing yellowed or diseased leaves to keep the plant tidy and air circulating. Feed every 2–3 weeks and keep soil evenly moist for the densest bloom. Before the first fall frost, pot up a few plants or take 3–4 in stem cuttings to root on a bright windowsill and overwinter for the following season.
Begonias: frequently asked questions
When should you plant begonias?＋
In most regions you start seeds indoors 12–14 weeks before last frost — press the dust-like seed onto the surface and mist gently, then transplant after last frost, once nights are reliably above 50°F. Timing is relative to your last frost, so find your USDA hardiness zone for the exact planting dates where you live.
Do begonias need to be deadheaded?＋
No — wax begonias are self-cleaning and drop their spent flowers on their own. This hands-free trait is one of their greatest advantages, making them among the lowest-maintenance flowering annuals you can grow.
Can begonias grow in full sun?＋
It depends on the leaf color. Bronze-leafed varieties can handle full sun in cooler climates, but green-leafed types prefer partial shade, especially in the South where afternoon sun wilts and scorches them. As a general rule, the darker the leaf, the more sun the plant will tolerate.
Sources & review
Written and maintained by the Plants by Zone Editorial Team. Planting times are based on USDA hardiness zones and NOAA frost-date normals, with care guidance drawn from Cooperative Extension sources. Last reviewed June 1, 2026.
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone MapNOAA U.S. climate normalsCooperative Extension
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