With their pretty white, yellow, orange, pink or red flowers and decorative foliage, tuberous begonias brighten up gardens and balconies, and even the inside of our homes. These are non-hardy perennials that prefer a shady or semi-shady position. They flower in summer, between June and October, then go dormant in winter. As they are sensitive to cold, they should only be planted outdoors from May onwards, after the frost period, and brought indoors to a warm, dry place in autumn.

For germination, tuberous begonia bulbs need warmth. If you want earlier flowering, the trick is to force them into growth by temporarily placing them in a warm spot. Discover all our tips for forcing tuberous begonias.

forcing tuberous begonia, begonia tuber

Left, botanical illustration of the Tuberous Begonia; right, new variety of Tuberous Begonia 'Illumination Apricot Shades'

When to force a tuberous begonia?

You can force tuberous begonias from March or April onwards.

What equipment will you need?

  • a tray or pots (our pots made from plant fibres are 100% natural and biodegradable!)
  • seed compost

begonia forcing equipment

How to force a tuberous begonia?

  • Choose firm, healthy tubers
  • Fill the tray or pots with seed compost or a mixture of compost and sand. Firm the surface
  • Place the tuber on the substrate without burying it. The flat side of the tuber should be placed soil-side down, as it's on the other, concave side that the buds will grow. To prevent water stagnating in this concave part of the bulb and risking rot, you can tilt the bulb slightly. This will allow excess water to drain away.
  • Water the substrate and place in a sheltered spot at a minimum temperature of 18°C in a bright location but not in direct sunlight.
  • Water regularly so that the substrate remains moist but never waterlogged, otherwise the tuber may rot.
  • After 1 month, the tuberous begonias will have developed shoots and roots. They are then ready to be planted in the ground or in pots.
  • If planting them outdoors, it's best to do so in May, after the frost period.
  • Choose a semi-shaded or shaded position, and plant them in well-draining substrate, spacing them 25 cm apart. Water regularly and feed with fertiliser every day to encourage flowering.

Discover our complete collection of begonias!

trailing begonia forcing tutorial