Tuberous Begonias, also known as its botanical Name Begonia x tuberhybrida (bay-GO-nee-a tu-ber-HY-brid-a), are popular and beautiful summer flowering bulbs belonging to the genus Begonia and a member of the family Begoniaceae.
They are a large and diverse group of hybrid Begonia species and cultivars, comprising 13 different types of tender, summer-flowering plants.
The genus name Begonia came from Michael Begon, a Governor of French Canada and an amateur French botanist. In contrast, the group name Tuberous Begonias references the tuberous nature of these hybrid begonias.
In addition, the “X” in the botanical name indicates a cross or hybrid between two species from different species.
Begonia x tuberhybrida was initially developed during Victorian times in the 1850s. Still, much of hybridizing and cultivating of these hybrid begonias were done in North America and Europe in the 20th century.
This tender tuberous perennial is native to South America and southern Africa and can commonly grow in these regions’ mountains.
Tuberous Begonias are best known for their showy flowers that come in either single or double-petaled forms with oval or ear-shaped green ornamental leaves that may be spotted or streaked.
Some of the common household names of Tuberous Begonia are:
- Begonia tuberhybrida
- Begonia (Tuberosa Group)
- Hybrid tuberous begonia
- Tuberous Rooted Begonia
Here are some of the well-known varieties of tuberous begonias:
- ‘Go Go Yellow’ – big yellow flowers with green foliage; grow about 1′ foot tall.
- ‘Nonstop Bright Rose’ – rose-pink flowers with green foliage; grows 10″ inches tall and wide.
- ‘Nonstop Deep Red’ – rich red flowers with green foliage’ grows 10″ inches tall and wide.
- ‘Nonstop Mocca White’ – pure-white flowers with chocolate-brown foliage; grows 12″ inches tall and wide.
- ‘Nonstop Fire’ – vibrant blending shades of red, orange, yellow, and gold with deep green foliage; grows 10″ inches tall and wide.
- ‘Nonstop Deep Rose’ – rose-pink flowers with green foliage; grows 10″ inches tall and wide.
Quick Facts On Tuberous Begonias
- Family: Begoniaceae
- Light: Filtered light; light or dappled shade
- Temperature: 68° to 75° degrees Fahrenheit
- Water: Regular watering; well-drained soil
- Fertilizer: Dilute balanced fertilizer or 5-1-1 fish emulsion
- Propagation: Cuttings, division, or seeds
- Common Problems: Botrytis blight, powdery mildew, stem rot, tuber rot, mealy bugs, spider mites, thrips
Tuberous Begonias Care
How Big Does Begonia x Tuberhybrida Grow?
Most tuberous begonias are herbaceous plants with upright growth habits, but some may be cascading or pendulous types.
They typically grow 12″ to 18″ inches tall and wide when grown as houseplants, but some varieties may reach 1′ to 3′ feet tall and 12″ to 18″ inches wide when planted outdoors.
As their name tuberous begonias imply, they grow from a large tuber or the stem tissue, a rootlike storage organ.
When Does Begonia x Tuberhybrida Flower? Are The Flowers Fragrant?
Tuberous begonias are well-known for their notable characteristics, featuring brightly-colored single or double waxy-petaled flowers that are mostly 2″ to 8″ inches wide.
They offer a rich color palette, including red, white, pink, orange, yellow, gold, apricot, purple, or bicolor.
Both female and male flowers of tuberous begonias bloom in the same plant.
Although the female flowers appear first, displaying single petals with exposed flower parts. After that, the showy male double flowers begin to appear, with the hidden flower parts.
The flowers that are occasionally with fringed petals are atop the rich foliage of ornamental leaves that come in various asymmetric sizes and shapes, including ear or oval-shaped.
They are also typically green, blue, purple, or burgundy and may be spotted or streaked, growing up to 8″ long.
You may witness the stunning display of colorful blooms of tuberous begonias in summer to early fall, and they may bloom with a delicate fragrance all season long.
In addition, tuberous begonia groups are also based on the growth habit or flower type of these plants.
The 13 identified groups are the following:
- Single — large single flowers with four flat tepals
- Frilled, Crispa — large single flowers with ruffled or frilled margins on tepals
- Cristata, Crested — large single flowers with tufted or frilled tepal centers
- Narcissiflora, Daffodil-flowered — large double flowers with trumpet-shaped central tepals
- Camellia, Camelliflora — large camellia-like double flowers that are unruffled
- Ruffled Camellia — camellia flowers with ruffled edges
- Rosebud, Rosiflora — large double flowers with a center resembling a rosebud
- Carnation, Fimbriata Plena — large flowers with fringed tepals resembling carnations
- Picotee — large camellia-like double flowers with tepals of blending colors on the margin
- Marginata — similar to the characteristics of Picote, but without the blending color on margins
- Marmorata, Marbled — rose-colored Camellia-like flowers with spots or dots
- Hanging Basket, Pendula — small or double flowers with pendant or trailing stems
- Multiflora — single or double flowers on low, bushy, compact plants
What Are The Lighting Needs And Temperature Requirements?
Tuberous Begonias are shade-loving plants, meaning they prefer bright shade, filtered light, or dappled sunlight.
They grow well in the morning sun and late afternoon shade but do not do well in full sun or midday sun as too much sun may scorch the leaves and injure the plant’s tender petals.
For the dappled sunlight, they grow best in shades through the upper canopy all day.
In contrast, they only require 2 to 6 hours of direct sunlight but only part of the day in partial shade areas.
Tuberous Begonias also perform best in cool to sub-tropical climatic zones with cool nights, as they are native to high-altitude areas.
The ideal temperature of tuberous begonias ranges from 68° to 75° degrees Fahrenheit and will suffer at any temperatures above 86° degrees Fahrenheit, indoors or out.
They are also sensitive to cold and don’t tolerate temperatures below 50° degrees Fahrenheit.
In addition, tuberous begonias are frost-tender plants and grow best in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11.
They are also phototropic plants, meaning they grow and change their growing direction towards the movement of the sun.
Their flowering and dormancy periods are activated by day length, blooming when day length reaches 12 hours a day.
How And When To Water And Fertilize Begonia x Tuberhybrida?
Tuberous begonias require average watering needs and regular watering, especially during the active growing period.
Water the plants to keep the soil moist, but not too much, as soggy soils can cause rot.
If planted in pots, the soil needs to be regularly checked as it tends to dry out quicker.
In late summer, it’s time to cut back watering and stop watering altogether once the plant reaches its dormancy period.
Moreover, it’s also crucial to provide good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew and other diseases.
Begonia x Tuberhybrida are heavy feeders, meaning they must be provided with regular fertilizer monthly during the growing season to promote rapid growth towards flowering and produce abundant flowers.
What Is The Best Soil For Tuberous Rooted Begonia, And When Should You Transplant?
Tuberous rooted begonias thrive in moist but well-drained garden soil that is rich in high organic matter like compost or composted manure
If you plan to plant them in pots or containers, a potting mix or all-purpose potting mix specifically for bulbs is good.
Using a 50/50 mix of peat, coco coir, and perlite is also great in a potting soil mix to encourage excellent growth.
Moreover, you may replant your tuberous begonias in spring.
Does Tuberous Rooted Begonia Need Special Grooming Or Maintenance?
Tuberous begonias are low-maintenance plants and do not require deadheading because they are self-cleaning flowering plants. As a result, their faded or withered blooms drop within a day or two.
However, if you want to encourage new flowers, it’s best to regularly clean up and pinch single female flowers to promote larger double male flowers.
Tuberous begonias also have brittle stems, and they tend to break, so it’s important to stake them to protect the stems against strong winds (especially upright types).
How To Propagate Hybrid Tuberous Begonia?
Hybrid tuberous begonias can be propagated through three methods:
- Division of tubers
- Leaf cuttings
- Seeds
Division through tubers is usually done in summer when the plant is growing.
Here are the steps to follow for this method:
- First, lift the tuberous begonia tubers from the soil using your hands.
- Next, shake off any loose soil, brushing the residue attached to the tubers with your hands. Do not wash them.
- Pull or cut the tubers apart, ensuring each tuber has an eye or stem section attached.
- Coat them with a plant fungicide, allowing them to cure in a warm and bright area for about 2 or 3 days.
- Fill a garden flat with coarse sand, and plant the tubers.
- You can also place the garden flat on a heat mat for faster germination.
- Regularly check the tubers during storage, removing any rotten, soft, or damaged ones.
- Plant the tubers once a sprout appears.
All you need to do for the cuttings are cut the tubers with a knife into sections, ensuring each tuber has a bud or eye. After that, you can pot them.
In addition, tuberous begonias can also be propagated from seeds, but they’ll be much harder. Also, it would be best to start them early in December in most zones for summer blooms.
Tuberous Begonia Pests And Diseases
Tuberous Begonias can be occasionally attacked by sucking pests, such as:
- Aphids
- Mealybugs
- Slugs and snails
- Thrips
- Whiteflies
You can control these pests using insecticidal soap or beneficial insect predators.
It’s also important to check the plants regularly to ensure no infestation occurs.
Tuberous Begonias can also be susceptible to diseases, including
- Botrytis blight
- Powdery mildew
- Stem rot
- Tuber rot
These diseases, especially powdery mildew and stem rot, may occasionally occur when the plant is grown in areas with poor ventilation.
The best way to prevent these problems is to avoid overwatering and provide good air circulation. You can also spray fungicide when you notice the first signs of powdery mildew, such as white powder on leaves.
Uses Of Tuberous Begonia
Tuberous Begonias are easy-to-grow flowering plants widely grown and cultivated for their showy flowers, making them excellent as houseplants indoors and out.
Their pendulous varieties or cascading types are great for containers, window boxes, or containers as their stems spill over the sides.
Tuberous Begonias are also excellent for providing a display of vivid colors for beds, gardens, borders, and edging.
They also grow well in the sheltered house, like a sunroom, veranda, or window ledge.
Moreover, another less known use for hybrid tuberous begonias is that their flowers, stems, and leaves are edible and have a subtle sweet-sour flavor.