Does it need full sun?

It prefers partial shade but can handle more sun in cooler climates.

How do I overwinter it?

Bring the tubers indoors before the first frost and store them in a cool, dry place.

Plant guide

Tuberous Begonia.

Begonia boliviensis

Pronounced beh-GOH-nee-uh boh-liv-ee-EN-sis

Also known as Bolivian begonia, tuberous begonia

tuberous begonia — Photo by Rosario Douglas (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This beautiful plant is famous for its cascading habit and vibrant, bell shaped flowers. It grows from a tuber and loves a spot with filtered light. You will find it makes a stunning addition to hanging baskets.

Another photo of Tuberous Begonia — Photo by Nicolas Olejnik (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Tuberous perennial
Light: Partial shade to bright indirect light
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 12 to 18 inches
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 11
Bloom time: Late spring to early autumn

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent tuber rot. Watch for yellowing leaves which often signal overwatering or poor drainage. Provide plenty of air circulation to keep fungal issues at bay.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.
Pruning: Pinch back spent blooms and leggy stems to encourage a bushier shape.
Repotting: Repot in the spring just as new growth begins to emerge from the tuber.
Soil: Well draining, peat based potting mix
Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5
Temperature: 10 to 28°C
Humidity: 50 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years with proper tuber care.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
Stunted growth during the active season.

Safety

People: The plant contains insoluble calcium oxalates, most concentrated in the tubers, that can cause mouth and throat irritation if eaten.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant away from small children as the leaves and stems can cause discomfort if chewed.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no notable airborne allergen risks associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is not intended for consumption and may cause irritation if ingested.

How to identify it

Long, pointed, serrated green leaves
Bright orange or red bell shaped flowers
Cascading stems with a trailing habit
Grows from a thickened underground tuber

Height: 0.3 to 0.45m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.45m
Leaves: green, bronze, deciduous
Flowers: red, orange, 3 to 5cm

Problems to watch for

Botrytis BlightCommon
Gray MoldCommon
Powdery MildewCommon
AphidsUncommon
MealybugsUncommon
Root RotUncommon
Slugs and SnailsUncommon
Tuber RotUncommon

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring
Overwintering: Lift the tubers from the soil after the foliage dies back in autumn. Clean them, let them dry for a few days, and store in peat moss in a cool, dark, frost free location until spring.
In containers: It is excellent for containers, requiring at least a 25 cm wide pot for a single plant.

Stem Cuttings

1. Take a 10 cm cutting from a healthy stem.
2. Remove the lower leaves.
3. Place in moist potting mix or water until roots form.

Pair this begonia with plants that enjoy consistent moisture to simplify your watering routine.

Grows well with

Coleus · They share similar light and moisture requirements for shade containers.
Impatiens · These plants provide a lovely color contrast in shaded garden beds.

Similar species

Tuberous Begonia · These hybrids share the same tuberous growth habit and flower structure.

Science

Family: Begoniaceae
Genus: Begonia
Order: Cucurbitales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Bolivia and Argentina
Conservation: It is not currently considered threatened in its native habitat.

It grows on rocky, shaded cliffs in the Andes where it benefits from high humidity and well drained soil.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, hummingbirds
Uses: hanging baskets, container gardens, bedding plants

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 5/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full sun?: It prefers partial shade but can handle more sun in cooler climates.
How do I overwinter it?: Bring the tubers indoors before the first frost and store them in a cool, dry place.

Where the name comes from

The genus honors Michel Begon, a French patron of botany, while the species epithet refers to its native Bolivia.

Good to know

It was discovered in the Bolivian Andes in 1864.
The plant has a naturally cascading habit that makes it perfect for elevated planters.
It is much more heat tolerant than many other tuberous begonia varieties.

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.