Begonia flowers (Begonia) are beloved perennials because they come in so many different colors and varieties. These flowering plants grow well in garden beds and containers, hanging baskets, and they can make any shade garden look a lot more attractive.
There are over 2,000 different begonia varieties and you can pair them to add lots of color to your garden. Most gardeners pair begonias with other companion plants that can add more texture to your garden beds.
If you are looking for some begonia flower bed ideas, choose a few plant species to pair with begonias below and you will create a full and vivid garden design.
What to Plant with Begonias
The best way to establish a successful and low-maintenance garden is by pairing plants with similar growing conditions in the same containers or beds.
Begonias are shade-loving plants that grow well in a sheltered position with lots of indirect light. They need moist soil that drains well and won’t tolerate dryness or too much direct sunlight.
Some common types of begonias that would look amazing with companions include:
- Rex begonia
- Wax begonia
- Tuberous begonia
Let’s take a closer look at some of the best plants to add to your garden when planting begonias.
Impatiens
Impatiens and begonias can pair well together because they have similar growing requirements such as partial shades and well-draining soil.
Both plants produce lush foliage and colorful flowers therefore they complement each other visually and create a beautiful and harmonious garden bed.
The gorgeous begonia flowers offer a refined touch, while the flashy and colorful impatiens blooms add a vibrant explosion of color.
The foliage of both plants can also add interesting texture and contrast, with the impatiens’ soft, slightly serrated leaves and the begonias’ glossy, frequently asymmetrical leaves.
Fiber Optic Grass
Fiber optic grass (Isolepis cernua) is a perfect companion plant for begonia garden beds because the fountain-like grass will add lots of fine texture while its bright green leaves and silvery white flowers will look quite striking next to the dark green foliage or bronze colors of begonias.
This ornamental grass variety grows well in moist soil and it does fantastic in partial shade in USDA zones 8 – 11.
You can grow begonias right next to the fiber optic grass or add these evergreen perennials as a border plant in front of your begonias.
Black Mondo Grass
Black mondo grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus) is a terrific plant species to consider if you want to create a different or more unique-looking garden.
These plants grow shiny black leaves that resemble grass even though, technically, it isn’t a grass plant species. The black leaves will stand out amongst the dark green fronds of your begonias and is also practical for creating contrast with lighter-toned begonia species.
Black mondo grass grows well in full sunlight to deep shade. They are compatible with any soil type that is fertile and drains well. These plants are quite drought-tolerant but will also grow well if watered regularly.
Because of the grass’s flexible nature, you can easily establish it all around the base of begonias, add it as a filler plant to the garden or grow it in the front as a border plant.
Silver Nickel Vines
Silver nickel vine (Dichondra argentea) is an excellent plant to pair with begonias in hanging baskets. These plants with their silvery white leaves will trail out of the hanging garden pots to create a dramatic spiller or waterfall effect. It can also be used as a ground cover around your begonias to keep the soil moist.
Silver nickel vine is heat and drought-tolerant and requires well-drained soil. The plant can be grown in shade gardens or even indoors.
The best way to pair silver nickel vine and begonias is in a container with the vines spilling over the edge. But these ground covers can also be used all over your garden bed as a background for your bright begonia flowers.
Coleus Plants
Coleus plants (Coleus) are also excellent companion plants for begonias and many varieties have colorful foliage with bright green veins or other hues that can add lots of color and texture to your garden.
Begonia and coleus grow well in shade garden areas but they can also be positioned in a sunny area in your garden. These bushy foliage species grow their best in moist soil that is watered regularly.
You can plant coleus shrubs in a container along with begonias or use the foliage as a border in front of your begonias. There are many different varieties of coleus. Some are more vibrant while others have velvety dark leaves so you can choose to pair different shades for more contrast or similar hues to make your begonia blooms stand out more when they are in full bloom.
Wishbone Flowers
Wishbone flowers (Torenia fournieri) are terrific bushy annual plant species to pair with begonias. Their vivid green leaves will add lots of texture to the garden while the bright blooms will look like little butterflies dwindling above your garden.
These small flowers grow well in semi-shade gardens and they need to be established in nutrient-rich soil that is watered regularly, especially when it is particularly hot.
These colorful flowers will grow up to 12 inches tall which means you can easily co-plant them in the same garden bed along with your beautiful begonias.
Boston Ferns
Boston ferns (Nephrolepis exaltata) are common in shade garden designs and are great begonia companion plants because their thin green stems will add lots of texture to your garden.
The Boston fern plant grows well in part shade and requires well-drained soil and regular watering.
It is usually best to pair Boston ferns with colorful varieties of begonias. Ferns are excellent background plants because they will enhance the colors of your begonias a lot more when these flowers are in full bloom.
Creeping Jenny
Creeping jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) is another good plant to use in begonia garden pots because it will keep the soil moist and the vine plant will act as a spiller that peeks over the edge of your pots.
Many gardeners use creeping jennies around the base of begonias because the yellow foliage is great for creating lots of contrast underneath the plant so varieties like red begonias or dragon wing begonias can stand out even more.
This vine plant grows well in filtered shade and will tolerate slightly dry conditions but it does prefer regular watering or heavy rainfall areas with consistently moist soil.
You can establish the vines in any shady spot in your garden underneath your begonias and they will quickly spread all over the garden bed.
John’s Wort
John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a great plant to consider if you want to create a light or yellow-toned color scheme in your garden. The vivid yellow flowers and bright green leaves of this shrub look striking next to begonia varieties with lighter leaves or the ‘Nonstop Yellow’ begonia.
These perennials are quite hardy because they can be planted in any soil type including rocky soil that is fertile and drains well. These plants flourish in semi-shade or full-sun conditions and need to be watered regularly.
John’s wort is quite tall with a height of up to 4 feet tall. As such, it is best to establish them in the center with lower yellow begonia species in a border around them.
What NOT to Grow With Begonias
Begonias grow well alongside a great many plant species but not all plant varieties will grow well when planted next to them.
If you establish sun-loving plants like peonies, coneflowers, or African daisies next to begonias, their growth will likely be stunted and they won’t produce any flowers.
It is also best to avoid drought-tolerant plant species like cosmos flowers, black-eyed susans, or sage next to begonias because they will only develop root rot in these moist conditions.
Final Thoughts
You can pair begonia flowers with a great many ornamental plant species. They grow just fine alongside ferns, john’s wort, creeping vine jenny, wishbone florals, coleus varieties, silver nickel vine plants, and even grass varieties like black mondo grass or fiber optic grass.
We hope that our guide made it easier to find great companions to pair in your garden pots or beds.
And if you are also growing other plant species in your garden then you should have a look at some of our other guides where we discuss other terrific combinations to create a more striking landscape.
Also learn more about begonia flower meaning to see why people love this flower.
Have you seen these?
FAQs
What are good companion plants for begonias? ›
Companion Planting and Design
Tuberous begonias look great planted in small groups or singly in a container. They also look good planted with cascading annuals, such as alyssum and lobelia. In a shade garden, pair them with hostas and bergenia.
Typically, you can fit 3-5 begonia tubers in a 10-12” diameter planter, depending on how full you want the planter to look. If you want to combine the begonia tubers with some green, white and gold foliage plant with Candidum Caladium and Color Festival Hosta for a fresh appearance.
Can I plant impatiens and begonias together? ›Begonias are a great companion plant for New Guinea impatiens since they can grow great in full sun or full shade. There are many benefits to growing begonias in your garden. Some popular begonia series that grow great with New Guinea impatiens include: Dragon Wing Begonais.
What can I plant with begonias in hanging baskets? ›If you place 3 Begonia, you might also add some ivy, other foliage plants, or other flowering plants suited to similar conditions.
Can you plant begonias in a flower bed? ›Begonias can also be planted in flower beds and borders. Their blooms are a welcome sign of summer--and they continue flowering until frost in the fall. Because of their long flower season and full foliage, begonias shine as container plants. Begonia plants fill and even spill over containers.
Which begonias tolerate full sun? ›Which begonias can grow in full sun? Many begonias will do just fine in full sun. The bedding plant fibrous begonias, Dragon Wing Begonias and Bonfire Begonias handle full sun best.
Do begonias like to be crowded? ›Begonias like their roots crowded and well-drained. For small plants, only move them up in 1 inch increments until you get to about 6 inch size.
What are the easiest begonias to grow? ›Cane begonias are among the easiest to grow. Showy hanging clusters of red, pink or white flowers open in spring and summer. Some cane-stemmed begonias flower all year long. These begonias have handsome foliage as well as attractive flowers.
Do begonias spread out? ›They grow best with rich, moist soils in partial shade. The hardy begonia reaches 2 to 3 feet in height. This begonia will form a large mass in the landscape; therefore, be sure to give it plenty of space as it will spread. Small, pink flowers bloom in drooping clusters above the leaves in late summer.
Can I plant begonias with hostas? ›Begonia (Begonia)
The neat mounding habit complements hostas, whether grown in containers, borders or mass plantings.
How do you multiply begonias? ›
Simply cut a rhizome into pieces about 1” to 1 ½” long, and press them gently into moistened potting soil, or a moistened mix of perlite and vermiculite. As with the leaf cuttings, give them high humidity and keep them in a warm, well-lit spot out of direct sunlight until roots begin to form.
Do begonias like hanging baskets? ›Tuberous Begonia
Unlike other begonias, these beauties prefer cooler temperatures and like a little shade in the afternoon. They're an absolutely lovely idea for hanging baskets.
A guideline for planting quantities:
5 tubers for a 14″ basket / pot. 7 tubers for a 16″ basket / pot.
When planting up hanging baskets, allow 3 tubers for each 12” basket. Immediately after potting, water well and then grow them on in bright, frost-free conditions, watering only when the compost gets quite dry.
How long do hanging begonias last? ›Most begonias are annuals (last only one season). You can save tubers from tuberous begonias to replant the next year or bring annual begonias in as houseplants in winter.
Where is the best place to put begonias? ›To help Begonia tubers warm up from their winter dormancy, place in a warm location (about 70°F) with indirect sunlight, preferably an east, west, or south facing window. If you don't have good natural light, grow lamps can provide the necessary light for growth.
Do begonias like morning or afternoon sun? ›They do best in situations with shade or morning sun/afternoon shade. Most varieties have flowers that hang down a little, making tuberous begonias ideal for hanging baskets and window boxes rather than garden beds and borders. No matter where you grow them, make sure they have good drainage to prevent rot.
What is the most popular begonia? ›Tuberous begonia (Begonia × tuberhybrida) are a group of hybrids of different species of begonias. They are among the most popular begonias and include thirteen groups.
Which begonias are the hardiest? ›The hardiest begonia, by far, is the tuberous Begonia grandis (USDA zones 6-10; Sunset zones 3-24) from China and Japan. Several clones are now in cultivation. The typical form has large round leaves with a pale green reverse, or with red veins, and pale pink or white flowers.
What are the biggest begonias? ›The species, which they named Begonia giganticaulis, is described in the journal PhytoKeys. One of the largest begonia specimens the group found was 3.6 meters (11.8 feet) tall and close to 12 centimeters (4.7 inches) in diameter.
Should you water begonias every day? ›
A good rule of thumb is to water every two to four days. When it's hot and dry you'll need to water more often than when the air cools down and the soil holds more moisture. Begonia plants in full sun will also require more water than plants in shady locations.
How do I make my begonias happy? ›Solutions include hosting your begonias in a humid spot in the house, such as a bathroom. You could also run a humidifier or use a pebble tray. But if you aren't suffering from chapped lips or dry skin, your begonias will likely be fine.
How do you keep begonias bushy? ›- Pruning and deadheading begonia is recommended to promote a bushier plant with more flowers. ...
- Cut back the growing tips on begonias branches every 2 to 4 weeks or if your plants become leggy. ...
- Tuberous begonias die back every year.
Fibrous begonias are prized for their charming year-round flowers. Angel wings and cane begonias are the most well-known for indoor use, and wax begonias (semperflorens) are indispensable for the summer garden.
How long do begonias live? ›Many plants from tropical areas, such as most begonias, can live for years, but are often treated as annuals because they won't survive freezing winters outdoors. However, if you brought frost-tender begonias indoors, they would continue to grow so they aren't technically annuals.
Are there any hardy begonias? ›Less widely known, but quite lovely, is the hardy begonia (Begonia grandis), a perennial species that will survive winters in Brooklyn and throughout USDA Zones 6–9.
What month do you plant begonias? ›Only plant begonias outside in May, when no more frosts are forecast. Water regularly and feed weekly with a high potash fertiliser like tomato feed. In autumn, dig up tuberous begonias and store the tubers in a cool, frost-free spot for winter.
What is the best mulch for begonias? ›SOIL PREPARATION:Tuberous begonias can survive in many types of soils. The most important factor to be considered in preparing any soil for begonia is PERFECT DRAINAGE. A good potting mixture would consist of four parts well decayed mulch (leaf mold or forest humus), one part garden loam, and one part coarse sand.
How often should you water begonias? ›Too much water at once can also cause the plant to uproot itself, as soil washes away easier when the plant doesn't have a solid root structure in place. Plan on watering your begonias seedlings every few days, or even daily.
Can I use Miracle Grow on my hostas? ›Hostas crave a steady nutrient supply throughout the growing season. A month after planting, feed them with Miracle-Gro® Shake 'n Feed® All Purpose Plant Food, making sure to follow the directions on the label. This will keep your hostas fed for up to three months.
Should you remove flowers from hosta? ›
The American Hosta Society recommends cutting off each scape after three-fourths of the flower buds have opened; this keeps the plants from diverting energy into setting seeds for the next year so instead they'll grow more roots and leaves.
How do you arrange hostas in a flower bed? ›- Plant Hostas in Containers. ...
- Combine With Other Woodland Plants. ...
- Group Potted Hostas on a Patio. ...
- Create a Focal Point with a Large Hosta. ...
- Plant a Row of Hostas as a Bold Background. ...
- Brighten Deep Shade with Variegated or Gold Types. ...
- Edge a Path or Border. ...
- Contrast Foliage Colors in Planters.
Once begonias begin flowering, they bloom continuously from summer to frost. There are several different types of begonias. Wax begonias and angel-wing begonias are usually grown as outdoor annuals or indoor houseplants. Both grow from a clump of roots and are winter hardy in growing zones 9-11.
How big do begonias spread? ›| Genus Name | Begonia |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 to 18 inches |
| Width | 6 to 12 inches |
| Flower Color | Orange, Pink, Red, White, Yellow |
| Foliage Color | Blue/Green |
They may be receiving too much or too little sunshine. Move them to another location and see if they begin producing new buds in a couple of weeks. If you haven't been regularly fertilizing your begonias, it's time to start. If they have become leggy, prune them back.
Do coffee grounds help begonias? ›Begonias benefit from an acidic soil, which the peat moss gives it. Adding some used coffee grounds to the soil will work wonders for begonias.
Can begonias tolerate high heat? ›Yes, you can grow tuberous begonias where it is hotter and drier but it will be much more difficult. Inland areas should use the more heat tolerant non-stop begonias, buy them as early in the spring as possible and plant lots of ferns, baby tears and other plants to increase humidity. It helps to mist during the heat.
Do begonias get bigger? ›Cane begonias:
Their size varies with growing conditions, from 6- to 12-inch houseplants to bushy plants up to 5 feet.
Begonias need small and preferably ceramic pots that are only 3-4 cm in diameter larger than the plant's root system. The container you plan on planting your begonia into makes all the difference. Make sure, make sure, make sure, it has drainage holes in the bottom.
How far apart do you plant bedding begonias? ›Space begonias about 4-6 inches apart.
How far apart to plant non stop begonias? ›
Plant your Begonias in spring after the last threat of night frost, approximately 5 in. apart (12 cm) and slightly below the soil line (they rot easily when planted too deep). Many people start up begonias indoors 4 - 6 weeks before planting them outdoors to get a "jump" on the season and produce earlier blooms.
What can I plant with begonias? ›Companion Planting and Design
Tuberous begonias look great planted in small groups or singly in a container. They also look good planted with cascading annuals, such as alyssum and lobelia. In a shade garden, pair them with hostas and bergenia.
Most begonias don't need deadheading but look better if you snap off old flower stems. Don't deadhead sunflowers because the seeds are important food sources for birds.
What temperature kills begonias? ›Most species of begonias can be damaged by temperatures lower than 45 or 50 degrees.
Where should I plant begonias in my garden? ›Begonias grow well in dappled or partial shade – avoid south-facing spots as the foliage can burn in direct sunlight. If you're growing begonias in a greenhouse, shading may be required. Tuberous begonias are ideal for growing in pots and hanging baskets.
How long do begonias last in garden? ›They bloom best with short days and cool temperatures, and will often bloom for up to six months.
What is the easiest begonia to grow? ›Cane begonias are among the easiest to grow. Showy hanging clusters of red, pink or white flowers open in spring and summer. Some cane-stemmed begonias flower all year long. These begonias have handsome foliage as well as attractive flowers.
How often do you water begonias? ›Begonias thrive in soil that is neither dry nor saturated. Your goal is to find a moisture level and watering schedule that is justttt right. A good rule of thumb is to water every two to four days. When it's hot and dry you'll need to water more often than when the air cools down and the soil holds more moisture.
How long do potted begonias last? ›No begonia has a long life span. Most only live for 2 to 3 years, even with good care.