Begonia Varieties

There are many types of begonias all flowering plants in the family Begoniaceae. They are found from Arunachal Pradesh to southeast China, and has been introduced to Bangladesh, Cuba, and Hispaniola. There are over 500 cultivars in the Begonia Group of houseplants.

These plants are grown almost exclusively for their foliage—their blooms tend to be small and less showy and many growers pinch off blooms to maintain breathtaking leaf displays. If planting outdoors, do so in May after frosts, but plant anytime indoors. With a moderate growth rate, begonias may grow to less than 12 inches in a year.

Begonias like bright, indirect light year-round. Because they are not aggressive bloomers, they can tolerate less light than other garden bed begonias and will thrive under fluorescent lights.

Let the soil surface become dry to the touch before watering. But don’t let the soil become overly dry or the plant will begin to wither. The soil should be watered to feel slightly, but evenly moist.