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Begonia Tuberosa Hybrids (Begonia x tuberhybrida), whole plant
  • Begonia Tuberosa Hybrids — close-up of leaves and flowers
  • Begonia Tuberosa Hybrids — seasonal appearance
  • Begonia Tuberosa Hybrids in a garden setting

Begonia Tuberosa Hybrids

Begonia x tuberhybrida

Medium · Some experience

About Begonia Tuberosa Hybrids

Tuberous Begonia is a shade-loving summer bulb bearing large camellia- or rose-like blooms in white, pink, orange, red, and yellow. Grown from tubers planted in spring after frost, it flourishes in cool, moist, partially-shaded sites—particularly excellent in Pacific Northwest and New England summers. Plants reach 8–18 inches with fleshy stems and asymmetric leaves. Tubers are dug and stored indoors for winter in cold zones, then replanted each spring for repeat bloom.

  • Shade-tolerant
  • Container-friendly
WATER
Regular
Top inch dry
LIGHT
Part shade
2–4 hrs direct
WARMTH
60–80°F
16–27°C

How to care for Begonia Tuberosa Hybrids

Watering

  • Springevery 3 days
  • Summerevery 2 days
  • Fallevery 5 days
  • Winterpause watering

Soil · Well-draining

  • Main mixLoam + coarse sand 3:175%
  • DrainageGravel25%

Sharp drainage matters most — bulbs rot in wet soil while dormant.

FERTILIZER

Balanced Feed 14-14-14

An even feed covers all three needs at once, keeping leaves, roots and blooms moving together with nothing pushed out of balance.

N33%P33%K33%
  • Nitrogen · Leaves
  • Phosphorus · Roots + Blooms
  • Potassium · Strength
  • Springevery 14 days
  • Summerevery 14 days
  • Fallevery 30 days
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At a Glance

  • NativeSouth America
  • Height0.8–1.5 ft (0.2–0.5 m)
  • Spread0.8–1.5 ft (0.2–0.5 m)
  • Flower colorWhite, Cream, Yellow, Orange
  • Foliage colorGreen, Bronze
  • SoilLoamy, Well-drained, Rich
  • LocationsYard · Balcony · Indoor

Bloom time

BLOOM CYCLE

Peak bloom

Jun–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Rose-like flowers summer through early fall

Fragrance

NO FRAGRANCE

Most cultivars unscented; a few have faint rose fragrance.

Toxicity

Humans Slight · Pets Moderate

soluble calcium oxalates

Slight

  • All
  • Ingestion

EXPOSURE Eating any part of the plant.

EFFECT Oxalate crystals: mild oral irritation, GI upset.

NOTE Documented concern for humans: Oxalate crystals: mild oral irritation, GI upset.

Moderate

  • Tuber
  • All
  • Ingestion

EXPOSURE Eating tubers and any part of the plant.

EFFECT Oral irritation, vomiting, drooling and tuber is the most toxic part.

NOTE ASPCA lists Begonia as toxic to dogs and cats.

Moderate

  • Tuber
  • All
  • Ingestion

EXPOSURE Eating tubers and any part of the plant.

EFFECT Same as dogs.

NOTE ASPCA lists Begonia as toxic to dogs and cats.

Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.

DISTRIBUTION

Begonia Tuberosa Hybrids · Native
  • Native
  • South America

History

Illustrated historical scene for Begonia Tuberosa Hybrids

Begonia x tuberhybrida is a complex hybrid group developed from multiple tuberous Begonia species native to the Andes Mountains of South America. The foundational breeding work was done by John Seden, chief hybridizer at the James Veitch and Sons Nursery of Chelsea, London, beginning in 1868 — crossing the recently-introduced Andean species Begonia boliviensis (1864), B. veitchii (1867), B. pearcei (1865), B. clarkei (1867), and later B. davisii. Seden's first hybrid B. x sedenii was exhibited in 1870 and set off a decades-long breeding program at Veitch and other English nurseries that produced the modern tuberous begonia hybrids. Modern cultivars produce spectacular large flowers — up to 15-20 cm across in the "Non-Stop" and "Fortune" large-flowered bedding series, reaching 20-25 cm in exhibition "Picotee" and "Rose Form" show cultivars — in the entire warm color range (white, cream, yellow, gold, apricot, orange, salmon, pink, red, and bicolored picoteed forms).

Flower forms include single, double (camellia-like), rose-form (scrolled rose-like petals), carnation-form, ruffled, picoteed (with contrasting color edges), and pendulous hanging-basket forms. The plants grow from rounded underground tubers, die down in winter, and are typically lifted and stored dry in cool frost-free conditions for replanting the following spring in cold climates. Shade-loving and heat-intolerant, they perform best in cool mild summer conditions — particularly prized in the Pacific Northwest, British Isles, and New Zealand where cool moist summers suit their Andean native heritage.

Developed in the late 19th century by European breeders crossing several Andean Begonia species. The Portland, Oregon area hosts one of the largest US tuberous begonia shows each August.

Symbolism & meaning

What It Symbolizes

The Tuberous Begonia carries the begonia's traditional meaning of deep thoughts — a Victorian flower for moments of reflection and gentle warning. Sent in nineteenth-century bouquets as a token of gratitude, it was the polite way to say thank you when words felt too plain. Its layered, rose-form blooms still suit the same purpose: a thoughtful gift for someone who has been quietly kind.

  • Deep thoughts — traditional begonia symbolism of reflection
  • Gratitude — given as a thank-you flower in Victorian times

Where the Name Comes From

Genus honors Michel Bégon (1638–1710), French governor of Saint-Domingue; 'tuberhybrida' refers to its tuberous hybrid origin.

Uses & Fun Facts

  • Camellia-like blooms fill shaded patio pots and hanging baskets
  • Cool-summer shade bedding plant for moist Pacific Northwest gardens

Related plants

More Begonia plants

Plants with similar care

Frequently asked questions

How often should I water Begonia Tuberosa Hybrids?

Water about every 3 days during the growing season, and always let excess water drain away.

How much light does Begonia Tuberosa Hybrids need?

Part shade: 2–4 hrs direct. Watch the leaves — scorching or stretching means the light needs adjusting.

Is Begonia Tuberosa Hybrids toxic to cats or dogs?

Pets Moderate (Dogs Moderate · Cats Moderate) Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.

Is Begonia Tuberosa Hybrids easy to grow?

It is moderately demanding: a good choice once you have a little experience.

Can Begonia Tuberosa Hybrids be grown indoors?

Yes, it adapts well to indoor growing given the right light.

When does Begonia Tuberosa Hybrids bloom?

It typically blooms Jun–Sep in the Northern Hemisphere.

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