Can I grow these in full sun?

Yes, they handle full sun well if they have enough moisture.

Do I need to deadhead them?

No, they are self cleaning and will drop their old flowers.

Plant guide

Wax Begonia.

Begonia semperflorens

Pronounced beh-GOH-nee-uh sem-per-FLOR-enz

Wax begonias are cheerful, reliable plants that bring constant color to your garden or home. They are loved for their waxy leaves and clusters of small, vibrant flowers. You will find them very easy to grow as long as they get enough light.

Another photo of Wax Begonia — Photo by Jon Sullivan (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Annual or tender perennial
Light: Partial shade to full sun
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 12 inches
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 11
Bloom time: Spring to autumn

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root rot. Watch for drooping leaves, which often signal that the plant needs a drink. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage the plant to keep producing new flowers throughout the season.

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: Trim back leggy stems to maintain a bushy shape and remove faded flowers.
Repotting: Repot only if the plant becomes root bound or the soil loses its structure.
Soil: Well draining potting mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 10 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 60%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, often grown as an annual
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in

Safety

People: The plant contains insoluble calcium oxalates which can cause irritation if ingested.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested, potentially causing irritation or vomiting.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of small children as the leaves and stems can be irritating if chewed.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no significant airborne allergy risks associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is not intended for consumption and may cause digestive distress.

How to identify it

Succulent, waxy, rounded leaves
Small clusters of white, pink, or red flowers
Compact, bushy growth habit
Stems are fleshy and translucent

Height: 0.15 to 0.3m
Spread: 0.15 to 0.3m
Leaves: green, bronze, evergreen
Flowers: white, pink, red, 2 to 4cm

Problems to watch for

Powdery mildew · A white fungal growth appears on leaves due to poor air circulation.
Botrytis blight · Gray mold develops on stems and flowers in cool, damp conditions.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your wax begonia from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring
Overwintering: Bring containers indoors before the first frost and place them in a bright, cool spot. Reduce watering significantly during the winter months.
In containers: They are excellent in containers, provided the pot has good drainage holes.

Stem Cuttings

1. Snip a 4 inch stem just below a leaf node.
2. Remove the lower leaves.
3. Place the cutting in moist potting mix.
4. Keep it in bright, indirect light until rooted.

Pair these with plants that have contrasting foliage textures to make their waxy leaves pop.

Grows well with

Coleus · They share similar light and water requirements for a colorful display.
Impatiens · They both thrive in similar shaded garden beds.

Similar species

Tuberous Begonia · These have much larger, showier flowers but require more shade.

Science

Family: Begoniaceae
Genus: Begonia
Order: Cucurbitales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Brazil
Conservation: This plant is widely cultivated and not of conservation concern.

It thrives in tropical understories where it benefits from dappled light and consistent moisture.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees
Uses: bedding plant, container plant, hanging baskets

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

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

Can I grow these in full sun?: Yes, they handle full sun well if they have enough moisture.
Do I need to deadhead them?: No, they are self cleaning and will drop their old flowers.

Where the name comes from

The genus honors Michel Begon, a French patron of botany, while the species name refers to its continuous blooming habit.

Good to know

Wax begonias are technically perennials but are usually grown as annuals.
They are incredibly resilient in both sun and shade.
The leaves have a waxy coating that helps them retain moisture.
They were first introduced to Europe from Brazil in the 1820s.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

Keep your wax begonia growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

Get the app

This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.