PlantFiles: Fibrous Rooted Begonia, Wax Begonia
Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum

The most common of all begonias; sold as bedding plants in all areas. Some of the many strains of begonia have colored foliage but flower colors are generally white, pink and red. They require a moist, well-drained, fertile soil. They grow in sun or shade, but diseases may be more of a problem in shade. Begonias with green foliage do better in the sun than bronze varieties.

One interesting detail, not mentioned about the Wax Begonia is that some of them also bloom a bright beautiful salmon color. I gave one to a friend. He loves it....it is constantly in bloom for him.

I live in Southwestern Ontario Canada and these little beauties seem to thrive in my clay based flower beds. They have been in bloom since mid April and last until well after the first frost here, mid October most years.

I received a begonia as a gift last year; its flowers are salmon-colored, and bloomed consistently for almost a year. Such happiness it's given me! It is in a terra cotta pot in a bright part of my house, although no direct sunlight. I've transplated it once as the plant grew. I find it is a very delicate plant, losing its tubers if overwatered, so care has to be taken not to water too much, and certainly not at the tubers! I'm now having trouble with what looks like yellow and white mushroom-like growths.

Tough, easy to grow little plant. Usually used as an annual, but does come back at times in my zone if in a sheltered spot.

I purchased this plant at a local nursery for outdoor use in a pot. Just to experiment, I brought the pot in over the winter (Western New York State). The plant withered some over the winter, but came back 10 fold when I put it back outside in early summer this year. It literally exploded. Very happy with my success up here, and will be bringing it in again this winter. I kept it a little drier over winter and kept it in a south window.