Wax Begonia
Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum
📖 About this plant
A remarkably versatile and reliable flowering annual, wax begonias produce continuous masses of small flowers in pink, red, or white above compact, rounded bronze or green leaves. Equally at home in full sun or partial shade, they bloom prolifically from spring through the first frost without requiring deadheading. Their neat, mounding habit and glossy foliage make them indispensable for borders, containers, and mass plantings.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
Partial shade to bright indirect (4-6 hrs)
Every 2-3 days
Moderate (50-60%)
18-25°C
Well-draining, moisture-retentive potting mix with peat, perlite, and compost; moderate fertility preferred
Balanced liquid fertilizer (10-10-10) every 2-3 weeks during the growing season for continuous bloom
🌐 Common Names
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Brazil — hybrid derived from South American begonia species; developed extensively in European horticulture
- 📏 Max height
- 15-30 cm
- 📐 Spread
- 15-30 cm
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Spring - Fall
- 🎨 Bloom color
- Pink, Red, White
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Green, Bronze
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Annual
- 📈 Growth rate
- Moderate
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Toxic to cats and dogs — contains soluble calcium oxalates; causes vomiting, excessive drooling, and difficulty swallowing
- 🌱 Propagation
- Stem cuttings (root easily in water or moist medium in 2-3 weeks), or seed sowing indoors 12-16 weeks before last frost (seeds are dust-fine)
🛡️ Health & Safety
Toxic to cats and dogs — contains soluble calcium oxalates; causes vomiting, excessive drooling, and difficulty swallowing
Common issues
- Powdery mildew
- Stem rot from overwatering
- Botrytis in humid conditions
💡 Care tips
- Blooms continuously from spring through fall
- Both flowers and foliage come in striking colors
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
- Grow as annual outdoors or houseplant indoors
