Begonia Tuberosa
Begonia × tuberhybrida
📖 About this plant
The queen of flowering bulbs for shade, producing massive, showy, camellia-like double blooms up to 15 cm across in nearly every color except true blue. The lush, asymmetrical, often burgundy-tinted foliage is attractive in its own right. Ideal for hanging baskets, containers, and shaded garden beds. Tubers can be lifted and stored over winter in cold climates.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
Partial shade (3-5 hrs)
Every 2-3 days
Moderate to high (50-70%)
15-25°C
Well-draining, organically rich, slightly acidic potting mix or garden soil with peat and perlite; avoid heavy, wet soils
Balanced liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks during the growing season; switch to high-potassium feed when buds form
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Hybrid of South American Begonia species; developed by European breeders in the 19th century
- 📏 Max height
- 20-45 cm
- 📐 Spread
- 20-30 cm
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Summer - Fall
- 🎨 Bloom color
- Pink, Red, Yellow, Orange
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Green
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Perennial
- 📈 Growth rate
- Moderate
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Mildly toxic — contains soluble oxalates; roots and tubers are most toxic; ingestion causes burning of mouth, nausea, vomiting; keep away from pets
- 🌱 Propagation
- Stem cuttings in spring; division of tubers in early spring before sprouting; seed sowing (tiny, dust-like seeds)
🛡️ Health & Safety
Mildly toxic — contains soluble oxalates; roots and tubers are most toxic; ingestion causes burning of mouth, nausea, vomiting; keep away from pets
Common issues
- Botrytis gray mold in high humidity, Stem rot from overwatering, Tuber rot in storage
💡 Care tips
- Produces massive double flowers resembling camellias or roses,Start tubers indoors in late winter for earlier summer blooms,Stake stems to support the weight of the enormous blooms,Lift tubers before frost and store in dry peat moss over winter
