Do I need to dig up the tubers in winter?

Yes, in regions where the ground freezes, you must lift and store the tubers indoors.

Can I grow these in full sun?

They prefer partial shade and will likely scorch in intense, direct afternoon sun.

Plant guide

Begonia.

Begonia × tuberhybrida

Pronounced beh-GOH-nee-ah too-ber-HY-brih-dah

Also known as Begonia × tuberhybrida, begonia tuberosa hybrids, hybrid tuberous begonia, tuberous begonia

Tuberous begonias are stunning plants known for their large, showy blooms that come in a wide array of vibrant colors. They grow from underground tubers and are often treated as annuals in cooler climates. These beauties really shine in shaded garden spots or hanging baskets.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Tuberous perennial
Light: Partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 30 to 45 cm
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Late spring to first frost

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent tuber rot. Watch for powdery mildew on the leaves, which often happens if the air circulation is poor. Provide bright, filtered light to encourage the best flowering.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming throughout the season.
Repotting: Repot in fresh soil each spring when starting the tubers from dormancy.
Soil: Well draining, peat based potting mix
Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral
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 soil without soaking in.
Stunted growth during the active season.

Safety

People: The plant contains soluble calcium oxalates that cause irritation to the mouth and throat upon ingestion.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant away from small children as the leaves and tubers are toxic if chewed or swallowed.
Contact allergens: The sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There is no significant evidence of respiratory allergies associated with this plant.
Edibility: Tuberous begonias are not edible and can cause significant digestive distress if consumed.

How to identify it

Large, asymmetrical, heart shaped leaves
Showy, often double, rose like flowers
Fleshy, succulent stems
Grows from a rounded tuber

Height: 0.2 to 0.45m
Spread: 0.25 to 0.4m
Leaves: green, bronze, deciduous
Flowers: red, pink, yellow, orange, white, 5 to 15cm

Problems to watch for

Botrytis BlightCommon
Gray MoldCommon
Powdery MildewCommon
AphidsUncommon
ThripsUncommon
Tuber RotUncommon

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: tuber division, cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring
Overwintering: After the first frost kills the foliage, lift the tubers, clean off soil, and let them dry. Store them in a cool, dark, and dry place in peat moss until spring.
In containers: They thrive in containers and hanging baskets, provided the pot has excellent drainage and is at least 20 cm wide.

Tuber Division

1. Wait until the tuber has visible buds or eyes in early spring.
2. Use a sterile knife to cut the tuber into sections, ensuring each has at least one bud.
3. Let the cut surfaces callous over for a day.
4. Pot the sections in moist soil with the bud facing up.

Pair these with other shade loving plants that appreciate rich, well draining soil to create a lush display.

Grows well with

Fuchsia — They share similar requirements for shade and consistent moisture.
Impatiens — They provide a beautiful textural contrast in shaded garden beds.

Similar species

Wax Begonia — It is a popular, smaller relative often used for bedding.
Rex Begonia — It is grown primarily for its stunning, patterned foliage rather than flowers.

Science

Family: Begoniaceae
Genus: Begonia
Order: Cucurbitales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: South American Andes
Conservation: This is a cultivated hybrid and is not of conservation concern.

These plants naturally inhabit cool, moist, shaded slopes in mountainous regions.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: container gardening, hanging baskets, shaded borders

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Light: 3/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 5/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Temperature: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Do I need to dig up the tubers in winter?: Yes, in regions where the ground freezes, you must lift and store the tubers indoors.
Can I grow these in full sun?: They prefer partial shade and will likely scorch in intense, direct afternoon sun.

Where the name comes from

The genus is named after Michel Begon, a French patron of botany, while tuberhybrida refers to the tuberous root system and hybrid origin.

Good to know

Tuberous begonias grow from a thickened underground storage organ called a tuber.
They are excellent for adding vibrant color to shady spots in the garden.
The flowers are often categorized by their shape, such as roseform or camelliaform.
You can save the tubers over winter to replant them the following spring.

Also in

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