11 Varieties of Begonias for Gardens and Containers

There are many different types of begonias in the Begonia genus, a group of more than 2,000 species, all native to tropical or subtropical regions. The six-pack of wax begonias you'll find at every nursery barely begins to scratch the surface, but most are similar in their easygoing nature and low maintenance care needs, as well as the ability to easily propagate them with cuttings.

Begonias are perennial plants in hot climates including zones 10 and 11, but they are grown in the spring as annual flowers in most regions. You'll find some hardy varieties, and, depending on the type of begonia, they may be more commonly grown indoor or out. Begonia are beloved by gardeners thanks to their ability to produce spectacular flowers in shady conditions where few flowering plants thrive, and they bloom continuously from summer through first frost.

Below, discover different types of begonias with pictures to plant in garden beds, containers, hanging baskets, and more.

Begonia Categories

There are four main categories of begonias including fibrous, tuberous, hardy, and rhizomatous.

• Fibrous-rooted: Includes plants described as wax begonias, cane begonias, dragon-wing
  (angel-wing) begonias, and other types, all of which have standard root balls with thin roots. The leaves tend to be round, waxy, and relatively small. The flowers are also fairly small, about 1 1/2 inches.
• Tuberous: Blooms midsummer through fall with large flowers in neon-like shades of pink, yellow, orange, red, or white. This variety has a fleshy, round tuberous root like a potato and is popular both for garden planting and for containers.
• Hardy begonias: Belongs to the species Begonia grandis. This variety is hardy in zones 6-7 and is commonly grown as a perennial in southern gardens. They have foliage similar to tuberous begonias but produce rather small pink or white flowers.
• Rhizomatous: Has fleshy roots and stems creeping along the surface of the soil. This variety is grown mostly for its interesting foliage and is more often used as houseplants than garden plants. Blooms can cover the entire plant.

Types of Begonias 

'Bedding' Begonia

Most variegated plants have white markings on green leaves, but the 'Bedding' variety of begonia (Begonia semperflorens) has vivid yellow splotches on bright green leaves, giving it a psychedelic effect. This plant falls into the category of wax begonias that have fibrous roots.

This begonia is suited to use as the focal point for flowering containers because it is relatively short but spreads out nicely (as much as 18 to 24 inches). Variegated begonias need partial exposure to the sun to maintain the color development on their foliage.

• Native Area: NA; this is a hybrid plant
• USDA Growing Zones: 9 to 11; generally grown as an annual
• Height: 6 to 12 inches
• Light Needs: Part shade

Solenia 'Dusty Rose' Begonia

This is a beautiful tuberous begonia hybrid developed as a trademarked variety. Solenia 'Dusty Rose' begonia (Begonia × tuberhybrida) has frilly rose-colored flowers that bloom at the end of stems from midspring to midfall and a shrub-like shape. The leaves are succulent and heart-shaped, remaining green throughout the year.

You can save the tubers at the end of the growing season for blossoms next year. Dig them in the fall, dry them for 10 days, and store them in a cool and dark place for replanting the following spring. This variety requires more sun than other varieties.

• Native Area: NA; this is a hybrid plant
• USDA Growing Zones: 9 to 11; generally grown as an annual
• Height: 8 to 12 inches
• Light Needs: Full sun to part sun

'Richmond' Begonia

The bronzy-green foliage of the 'Richmond' begonia (Begonia semperflorens), also called the sun begonia (Begonia 'Richmondensis') seems to color-shift in different light conditions. The underside of the leaves has a reddish tone which gives them special appeal in hanging baskets. This variety, a fibrous-rooted type, needs some light sun to grow properly. It is a larger begonia that assumes a shrubby shape and blooms constantly.

• Native Area: NA; this is a hybrid plant
• USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 11; generally grown as an annual
• Height: 18 to 24 inches
• Light Needs: Light shade to part sun

Nonstop 'Mocca Yellow' Begonia

The trademarked Nonstop series (Begonia × tuberhybrida) from Proven Winners is the preferred tuberous begonia for regions with hot summers. Most tuberous begonias like moderation in all things, including light, water, and fertilizer, but this series is heat tolerant.

• Native Area: NA; this is a hybrid plant
• USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 11; generally grown as an annual
• Height: 8 to 12 inches
• Light Needs: Part shade to shade

Nonstop 'Rose' Begonia

This is another offering from the trademarked Nonstop series of tuberous begonias. 'Nonstop Rose' (Begonia × tuberhybrida) comes in several shades, including 'Rose Petticoat', 'Rose Pink', and 'Deep Rose', and these begonias take on a shrub-like shape.

If you deadhead the plants, or remove the spent blossoms, on 'Nonstop' begonias and allow the plant to put its energy into more blossoms instead of seed production, you can achieve the mass of flowers shown in this photo. Place the plants in an area sheltered from the wind to prevent bud drop.

• Native Area: NA; this is a hybrid plant
• USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 11; generally grown as an annual
• Height: 8 to 12 inches
• Light Needs: Part shade to shade

Ambassador Series Begonias

The thick, fleshy leaves of fibrous-rooted wax begonias make them a good choice for beginning gardeners, as the plants have good tolerance of drought and pests. The compact plants of the 'Ambassador' (Begonia semperflorens) series are an excellent garden bed plant that grow large flowers in shades of red, white, and pink.

• Native Area: NA; this is a hybrid plant
• USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 11; generally grown as an annual
• Height: 8 to 12 inches
• Light Needs: Full to partial sun

Cocktail Series Begonia

Dark-leafed begonias can take the sun’s heat better than green-leafed varieties. They can be planted in partial or full sun locations. This tidy bedding plant, categorized as a fibrous-rooted wax begonia, will not overstep its boundaries, so tucking it between green-leafed garden plants will highlight its bronze foliage and fill in landscape gaps. The cocktail series (Begonia semperflorens) offers white, light pink, and red flowers.

• Native Area: NA; this is a hybrid plant
• USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 11; generally grown as an annual
• Height: 6 to 8 inches
• Light Needs: Full to partial sun

'Double Up White' Begonia

The fully double white flower blossoms of the 'Doublet' (Begonia semperflorens) begonia series are barely the size of your thumbnail but will outshine the rest of the plant's foliage throughout the growing season. This fibrous-rooted wax begonia variety does not produce seeds and therefore needs no pinching or deadheading.

This plant should be grown in a location that is shaded from the hot afternoon sun. Other offerings in the 'Doublet' series include various shades of white, soft pink, hot pink, and red.

• Native Area: NA; this is a hybrid plant
• USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 11; generally grown as an annual
• Height: up to 12 inches
• Light Needs: Part shade

'Torch Pink' Begonia

This variety falls into a subcategory of fibrous-root begonias, the angel-wing begonias, which have distinctively shaped leaves. Angel wing begonias are also classified as cane-like begonias because of their long stems that look like bamboo canes.

You can pinch back these plants during the growing season to promote bushier growth. This type of begonia can tolerate somewhat more sun than the wax begonias; so grow 'Torch Pink' (Begonia aconitifolia × Begonia coccinea) in bright filtered sunlight to prevent it from becoming lanky. It needs bright filtered light to grow properly indoors.

• Native Area: NA; this is a hybrid plant
• USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 11; generally grown as an annual
• Height: Up to 18 inches
• Light Needs: Part shade outdoors; indoors, give it bright filtered light

Rex Begonias

The rex begonias (Begonia rex var.) are a vast subcategory of rhizomatous begonias, and they are most commonly grown as houseplants rather than garden plants. Their main appeal is the interesting foliage rather than the flowers, which is why they're often called painted begonias. The foliage delivers a trifecta of beauty, with outstanding colors, foliage, and textures that thrive in ordinary windowsill conditions.

Varieties such as 'Fairy' and 'Silver Queen' sport metallic leaves accented with green, purple, or splashes of red. 'Pink Charming' and 'Duarten' suggest a stained glass effect that comes from rich veining and stippling. The moody 'Red Kiss' could stand in for roses as a romantic gift, and its lusty colors are much more enduring than any cut flower arrangement.

The small stature of Rex begonias makes them ideal as terrarium plants and maintaining them this way reduces watering chores.

• Native Area: NA; this is a hybrid plant
• USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 11; generally grown as an indoor houseplant
• Height: 6 to 24 inches, depending on the variety
• Light Needs: Bright filtered light (when grown indoors); part shade outdoors

Polka Dot Begonia

Polka dot begonia (Begonia maculata) grows in a cane-like shape and is immediately recognizable thanks to its spotted — or polka dot — leaves. It's a tropical perennial that's often grown as a houseplant since it does best in temperatures between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

The foliage has dark green leaves with light polka dots that are grey or silver in color. Meanwhile, underside of the leaves are a surprising burnt orange color, adding to its visual appeal. Its charming hanging clusters of flowers are pink, white, or coral.

• Native Area: Asia, Africa, Central America, North America
  
• USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 12; generally grown as an indoor houseplant
• Height: 24-36 in. tall, 12-18 in. wide
  
• Light Needs: Full sun to partial sun