Planting Begonias

Where to plant begonias?

Begonias are true gems for the garden or containers, thanks to their magnificent blooms and decorative foliage. Here are some tips to find them the perfect spot:

• They prefer bright but indirect light. Outdoors, choose a location with filtered light or morning sun and afternoon shade, especially in warmer regions. Indoors, an east or west-facing window is ideal.
• Begonias cannot tolerate frost. If you live in an area with cold winters, consider planting them in pots so you can bring them indoors during the colder months.

Which substrate should I choose for my begonia?

• Choose a cool soil, without excess water, rich and light. Begonias dislike heavy and very wet soils; lighten if necessary with sand and peat.
• Add fertiliser at planting time, then twice a month during the season. Be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging to avoid overfeeding, which could be harmful to them.

How to plant begonias?

• As with Dahlias, you can speed up the growth cycle of your begonias by planting them as early as February, in pots kept indoors, and moving them outside in May.

→ Follow our advice to learn how to force a tuberous begonia into growth.

• Plant them after the last frosts, spaced 25cm apart in the ground or with one tuber per 20cm pot.
• Plant the begonia with the hollow side facing upwards, and cover with 5cm of soil.
• Water regularly and remove faded flowers.
• Lift the tubers in autumn, before the first frosts, and store them in peat in a cool, dry, frost-free place over winter.