Begonias are a lovely addition to any garden, and they can be grown easily from seed with little care.
There are numerous types of begonias, but the most common are double begonias.
Begonias with double flowers are the same type as begonias with single flowers.
However, double begonias are begonias that have flowers with two sets of flower petals. Wax begonia and bedding begonia are two other common double begonias.
These plants are valued for their large, brightly colored blooms that last for several weeks and attract butterflies.
Read more to learn what double begonias are and how to care for them.
Table of Contents
What are Double Begonias?
Begonia is a flowering plant with beautiful blooms and foliage.
So, what is a double begonia?
However, double begonias are cultivated varieties of begonias with flowers that have two sets of flower petals instead of one.
Wax begonia and bedding begonia are two other common double begonias.
Double begonias are considered begonia semperflorens (another common name is bedding begonia).
Begonia semperflorens are tuberous begonias with single or double sets of flower patterns that come in many shapes and colors.
Begonias have bold blooms, and sometimes even double flowers bloom all summer and into early fall.
The begonia blooms in the summer, and its blooms are long-lasting with showy, brilliant flower colors such as red, orange, yellow, pink, salmon, or white.
Begonia flower petals can have a small swatch of another color.
Double begonias are easy to take care of and bloom in the warm months of the year.
Its green leaves can turn to color, the dark bronze leaves that turn red.
Begonia plants come in many sizes and colors and thrive in shady outdoor spots with the sun, where few other flowering plants thrive.
Where to Plant Tuberous Begonias?
Plant double begonias in garden beds in a shady corner of your yard.
Alternatively, they can be planted in container plants like window boxes and patio planters.
A double begonia can thrive in a pot on a porch or covered patio.
They can even be planted in a hanging basket.
Begonias are low, growing at 6-20 inches tall and 6-20 inches wide.
They do not tolerate direct, hot afternoon sun, as it affects the flower quality, and grow best when planted in the shade inside a pot or as a hanging plant.
When to Plant Double Begonias?
Plant double begonias in late winter or early spring.
Double begonias, like other tuberous begonias, can be purchased as tubers (similar to bulbs) and grown in the springtime for blooming by mid-summer.
Because they are only hardy to zone 8, those in colder climates must remove the tubers in the autumn before winter arrives.
Begonias need to grow on the dry side and will rot if their soil is too moist.
Partial shade and well-drained containers or a pot are the best environments for a double begonia plant to grow.
Plant the tuber in peat moss and keep it moist as new growth forms.
Tubers can have root rot easily if they are too wet, so pay careful attention to the moistness of the soil and water when the soil begins to dry.
How to Care for Double Begonias
Begonias are a popular garden flower because they are simple to grow and come in a wide range of colors.
There are many different types of begonias, but the most common is the double begonia. These plants are low-maintenance and can be enjoyed for months.
Read on to learn more about the best temperature, soil, and other information you need to know on how to care for double begonias.
Temperature and Climate
Double Begonia thrives in temperatures ranging from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit and in humid conditions.
Begonias cannot grow in cold soil, and therefore do not grow well in cold climates.
Plus, they are very sensitive to frost, and temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit can hurt or kill the plant, so keep them out of the cold.
Hence, it would be best to transplant them indoors before the temperatures drop.
Plants need to be kept indoors in potting soil until it is time for the growing season and there is no more risk of cold temperatures or frost outdoors.
At this stage, the plants should be indoors in a well-lit location to grow strong stems.
Double begonias are part of the tender perennial group and are native to warmer climates and originated in southern Africa and tropical South America.
However, begonias are considered annuals and only grow during the warmer parts of the year.
The USDA hardiness zones where begonias can grow are zones 8, 9, 10, and 11.
These are the only zones that are warm enough in the winter to house begonias outdoors.
In USDA hardiness zones 3 to 7, the plants are grown as annuals, as it is not possible to grow them outside in the winter months.
Further, the location you choose to plant your double begonia plants should be sheltered from the wind.
Light
Double Begonia thrives in both partial sun and shade. A location with morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal in general.
You should keep your Double Begonia out of the direct mid-day sun, otherwise, the leaves may get burnt.
The best location would be a window facing north or east. If your indoor plant is getting sunburned, move it away from the window.
To diffuse direct sunlight, choose a location beneath a tree or a covered patio. If you keep this flowering Begonia in a densely shaded location, it will produce more leaves than blooms.
If you don’t have enough light, especially in the winter, for your double begonia, grow lights are a great alternative for natural sunlight.
Watering
You should water double begonias until the soil is completely saturated and the water drains through to the bottom and out of the drainage holes in the pot.
In addition, the soil should be easily drained, so the roots do not rot.
But, before each watering, make sure the soil is slightly dry. This is a good indication that the plant has absorbed most of the water in the soil.
Keeping the leaves dry will aid in preventing leaf spot and other fungal diseases that will grow when there is excess moisture.
To make sure that the Double Begonia grows well, you need to water it regularly and often.
Double begonias do very well in hanging baskets because they drain from the bottom, especially if the bottoms of the hanging plants are lined with moss.
Repotting a Double Begonia
You should repot a Double Begonia when the tuber has grown to be about an inch tall in your soil or moss.
Use a soilless growing medium that contains equal parts vermiculite, perlite, and peat moss to ensure that your plants get enough nutrients.
To assist in controlling humidity, add a couple of teaspoons of ground limestone to the medium before adding the plants.
Combine all of the ingredients thoroughly and wet them with water.
As soon as you can, remove the begonia from its pot and move it into the new medium as quickly as possible.
As for timing, repotting can be done at any time of year, but springtime is the most appropriate time because the plant is entering its growth season.
Propagating Double Begonias
Double begonias grow from tubers, similar to potatoes. However, unlike potatoes, you cannot cut up the tuber to plant and produce more begonias.
It is technically possible to divide a tuber to propagate, but it needs to be done during growth, which is more complicated.
The easiest way for a homeowner to propagate a begonia is to use root cuttings. This means planting a stem with a root into the new soil.
Basically cut a rhizome into portions that are an inch to an inch and a half long and gently press them into wet potting soil, or a damp mixture of perlite and vermiculite, to establish a healthy plant.
Maintain high humidity levels and place them in a warm, well-lit location away from sunlight till roots start to form.
Once the roots start to sprout, you can replant them into their own pots to grow.
FAQ
Can double begonias take full sun?
Yes, Double Begonias can take full sun, but a part-shaded environment (four to eight hours of full morning sun each day) or filtered sunlight is ideal for most begonia varieties to thrive (for example, shade provided by trees). As an aside, most begonias will endure full shade (almost no direct or filtered sunlight), but they will not be as thick and will have fewer flowers than those that do not.
Are double begonias annuals or perennials?
Double begonias are tender perennials, but they are known as annuals because they are sensitive to colder zones, frost, and winter temperatures. Begonias can only survive outdoors in the winter in hardiness zones 8 to 11. To survive the cold and frost in hardiness zones 3-7, they must be moved from the outdoor garden and stored indoors or in a greenhouse.
When should I plant double begonias?
Double Begonia tubers can be planted early in the year in early spring. If starting with tubers, the planting needs to begin earlier a tad earlier in late winter. Store tubers indoors until the growing season has started or right after the season’s last frost. After the final frost, planting can begin outdoors in containers or garden beds.
Conclusion
Double begonias are beautiful plants with flowering blooms that can add color to the shady area of your yard or porch.
They can give you large, beautiful flowers all summer and into early fall if cared for.
Double begonias are not difficult to care for, but there are a few things to bear in mind when doing so.
It is important to water them on a regular basis and to provide them with enough sunlight.
Double begonias should be fertilized once every two weeks with a balanced fertilizer, and they should be pruned as necessary.
Sit back and enjoy the beautiful blooms in the summertime.
Other Types of Begonias to Consider
There are many types of begonias to think about when choosing a plant for your home or garden.
For example, cane begonias have tall, tuberous begonias are small, compact plants used for bedding or fibrous begonia for their flashy blooms.
Read further to find out about various types of Begonias to grow in your garden.
References
Lindsey Hyland grew up in Arizona where she studied at the University of Arizona’s Controlled Environment Agriculture Center. She continued her gardening education by working on organic farms in both rural and urban settings. She started UrbanOrganicYield.com to share gardening tips and tactics. She’s happy to talk about succulents and houseplants or vegetables and herbs – or just about anything in a backyard garden or hydroponics garden.