Bedding Begonia (Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Wax begonia is a garden hybrid grown in beds and containers across the United States. Its glossy leaves can be green or bronze, and its small flowers bloom over a long season. Wax begonia is also called bedding begonia.

Appearance

Appearance: Rounded, glossy leaves can be green or bronze. Clusters of small white, pink, or red flowers rise above the leaves.
Growth form: It forms a compact mound about 6–12 in (15–30 cm) tall.
Flowering time: In North Carolina gardens, it flowers from spring until frost.

Look-alikes

Begonia cucullata

This wild ancestor can look very much like a plain green-leaved, single-flowered wax begonia. An unlabeled photo often cannot separate them reliably; check a plant label or cultivar name.

Rieger begoniaBegonia × hiemalis

Rieger begonias (Begonia × hiemalis) are often sold as flowering houseplants with larger, rose-like double blooms. Wax begonias usually have smaller flowers and compact glossy foliage, although double-flowered wax can overlap.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: Garden beds
Walkway edges
Patio containers
Range: It is grown across the United States as a bedding or container plant, often as an annual where winters freeze.
Preferred conditions: In North Carolina, it handles sun to shade but grows best in moist, well-drained soil.

Growing it

Care: Use it in beds or containers and keep the soil moist but well-drained. Container plants can be brought indoors for winter.
Propagation: It can be started from seed or propagated from stem or leaf cuttings.

Name and classification

About the name: Wax begonia can refer to this garden hybrid group or its wild ancestor Begonia cucullata. Begonia semperflorens is an older name for the wild ancestor.
Varieties and forms: Cultivars include single or double flowers.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed

Culture and stories

Culture and stories: Its waxy-looking leaves give the plant its everyday name.

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