Wax Begonias Profile

The Wax Begonia (Begonia Semperflorens-Cultorum) is a group of beautiful Begonia plants with green, bronze or reddish brown waxy leaves that grow in compact, dense mounds. Wax begonias are popular bedding plants that grow as annuals or warm weather perennials. Growing in dappled sunlight, spreading, low bedding Wax Begonias produce clusters of white, pink or red flowers that bloom from summer through fall.

Wax Begonias Picture

Wax Begonias Info

Botanical Name	Begonia (Semperflorens Cultorum Group)
Common Name	Wax begonia
Plant Type	Herbaceous perennial (frequently planted as an annual)
Mature Size	6–12 inches
Sun Exposure	Full sun to part shade
Soil Type	Moist, well-drained soil
Soil pH	5.5–6.5 (slightly acidic)
Bloom Time	Summer into fall

Wax Begonia History

The origin of the Wax Begonias was ordinarily thought to be in Brazil, although some were found in the North American country at an earlier date. Therefore the Chinese used them within the 14th century. However, the primary person to document the invention of Wax Begonias  was a Franciscan monk, Charles Plumier, who found fibrous wax begonias in Brazil in 1690.

Ecological Habits of Wax Begonias

The Wax Begonia thrives equally well as a houseplant or an outdoor annual; in warm climates, it can be grown as a perennial. Their natural summer-long flowering season can be extended indefinitely indoors in a sunny windowsill. They bloom in clusters of red, white, yellow, or pink flowers, and some varieties are pleasantly fragrant.
The plants stand from six inches to two feet high and feature compact growth with oval-shaped, glossy leaves. The foliage is typically uniform and green, though some varieties have bronze-tinged or reddish leaves. Variegated cultivars also exist.
The Wax Begonia won't tolerate a frost, but it adapts well to being brought indoors for overwintering. They have a fibrous root system and a mild resistance to brief droughts, and aren't particularly troubled by pests or disease.

Wax Begonias Distribution Area

Wax Begonias are indigenous to tropical and subtropical regions; no species is native to the United States. Wax Begonias occur primarily in Central and South America, Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa. The natural habitat of many begonias are moist, cool forests and tropical rainforests, but some begonias are adapted to dryer climates.

How to Grow and Care for Wax Begonias

How to Grow Wax Begonias

• With Seeds

You can also propagate your wax begonia by seed. If you'd like to try your hand at it, here's how:
1. About 12 weeks before the last frost, start your seeds indoors. Sprinkle seeds on well-draining, rich soil.
2. Simply press the seeds gently into the soil with your finger, making sure they are not covered over. They need bright light to germinate.
3. Cover the seeds with a plastic bag or humidity dome and keep the soil moist.
4. Patience is key here. Begonias take a long time to germinate, so don’t give up.
5. Keep your seeds warm with grow lights and keep watch on them. Placing them on a heating mat may help them germinate as well.
6. Once they get their first set of true leaves, you can transplant your baby wax begonias to their own containers and harden them off before planting them up outside.

• With Stem Cuttings

Wax begonias are easy to propagate from cuttings. Here's how:
1. With a clean pair of snips, cut a three to four-inch sprig from your wax begonia in the spring. Be sure the cutting has a few nodes on it.
2. Remove the bottom leaves about two inches from the bottom.
3. Dip the cut end into a rooting hormone.
4. Bury the cut end around two inches into well-draining soil and keep the soil moist. You could additionally place a plastic bag over the plant to keep in the moisture while it is forming roots.
Alternatively, you can skip steps three and four by simply placing your cutting into a jar of water and waiting until roots appear. Once the roots are about an inch or so long, transfer your cutting to dirt, and you’ve got a new little plant.

How to Care for Wax Begonias

• Light

While Wax Begonias can't tolerate hours of direct sunlight, these plants bloom in a combination of partial shade and soft light.

• Soil

The best soil is moderately to slightly acidic of pH 5.6 to 6.5, and of a loose, rich, loamy type. Compost may be mixed with the soil; it should preferably contain coir but be free of peat.

• Water

Water the wax begonias one or two times weekly, supplying 1 inch of water each time. Less water may be needed if it rains.

• Temperature and Humidity

Wax begonias thrive in average room temperatures. The ideal temperature range for begonia semperflorens is between 60°F and 75°F (16°C – 24°C). Growing in these temperatures encourages non-stop blooming. Try to ensure that wax begonias grow in relative room humidity of around 50 percent.

• Fertilizer

Fertilize the wax begonias with a balanced, soluble fertilizer, such as an 8-8-8 or a 10-10-10 blend, when the plants actively grow from spring to fall.

• Pruning

Wax Begonias benefit from a pinch-and-deadhead routine. Pinch off buds if flowers and buds are abundant to prevent the plant from going under the weight of its blooms, and lop off spent blooms to maintain vitality.

Uses of Wax Begonias

Wax Begonias lend themselves to large, formal plantings because of their uniform size and shapeliness. Wax Begonias are also suitable in front of summer annual borders and combine well with other cool-colored flowers in mixed plantings and containers.

Varieties of Wax Begonias

Some popular cultivars include:
Wax Begonias ‘Super Olympia’: This is a variety that flowers early and is known for large, white, pink, or red blooms.
Wax Begonias 'Varsity’: This cultivar is especially good for growing in pots. Its flowers are red, white, or pink.
Wax Begonias ‘Paint Splash Pink’: This variety offers showy foliage, green with cream spots and marks. It has unique pale pink flowers.
Wax Begonias 'Victory series': This group has bronze-colored leaves with large, showy flowers.
Wax Begonias ''Cocktail series': These are dwarf varieties, 6 to 8 inches tall.

Wax Begonias Common Pests/Diseases

Wax Begonias are not prone to many diseases or pests. Overwatering and overhead watering can result in fungal diseases like leaf spots and root rot. Avoid excess moisture in the soil and on the surface of the plants. Water the plants at the base.
Stem rot
It is a fungal disease caused by a variety of fungal pathogens like Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Botrytis. The stem rot caused by Botrytis causes the stem to become soft, brown, and gray fuzzy Botrytis spores. Rhizoctonia stem rot causes webbing and sunken brown dry spots on the stem. The plants infected with Pythium show small discolored roots and tubers and blackened stems.
Powdery mildew
It is a fungal disease caused due to excess moisture on the surface of the leaves. A white powdery layer is formed on the surface of the leaves, preventing the entry of sunlight. The infected leaves wilt and die.
Gray mold
It is a fungal disease where Brown Spots are seen on the surface of leaves and flowers, the stem becomes soft and rotted.
Whiteflies and spider mites can cause the leaves to turn yellow. Slugs and snails can lead to holes in the leaves.

Wax Begonias Design Tips

Wax begonias make a colorful, compact edging for flower beds.
Trailing and mounding varieties look great in pots, window boxes, and hanging baskets.
Use upright varieties with unique foliage for a container centerpiece.
Mix-n-match plants with contrasting leaf colors, shapes, and textures for a unique container combination.
Select darker-leaved varieties or types with improved heat and sun tolerance for sunnier spots.
Search container combinations that include begonias.

Wax Begonias Companion Plants

Wax begonias are often seen as the classic hanging basket or container plant. The small plants flower quickly and never get too large for their container. Hang the baskets where they get some sun and away from the roof edge where they might get drown in water during a storm. In the garden, plant wax begonias under trees or in front of shady flower or shrub borders to brighten up a dark area. They look best planted together in masses to create a flowering, ground cover effect.