As of: February 25, 2024, 9:00 a.m
By: Ines Alms
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The begonia almost only has good properties.
As a houseplant or in a pot on the balcony - new varieties of the flower miracle leave nothing to be desired.
The begonia, also known as crooked leaf, is an attractive house and garden plant, but is overlooked by some hobby gardeners as a bit boring.
Maybe because caring for them is so easy and hardly poses any challenges for plant lovers?
Here are seven unique benefits and properties of the begonia that make it worth purchasing even for previous skeptics:
1. Diversity of begonia varieties
The peach-colored tuberous begonia 'Peardrop' is one of the tuber hybrids and also thrives outside in the sun.
© agefotostock/Imago
Begonias were once just ornamental foliage plants with inconspicuous flowers that were only suitable for indoor use.
But today's breeding leaves nothing to be desired when it comes to the splendor of flowers and variety of colors: of the over 1,800 species of begonias worldwide, there are also a large number of varieties in Germany, from whose wide range you can choose according to your individual taste and style.
The plants still have leaf decorations in a wide variety of colors and patterns, with shades of green, silver, red, pink and bronze.
2. Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
Depending on the species and climatic conditions, begonias can be grown as houseplants in pots or hanging baskets or planted in the garden as ground cover or part of flower beds.
Most begonia varieties also do well in pots on the balcony or terrace.
While the trout begonia has particularly strikingly beautifully marked leaves and many small flowers indoors, begonia tuber hybrids are well suited to the balcony and in the bed.
They have many small flowers and, in contrast to the original varieties, often tolerate sun well.
These include, for example, the begonias 'Fragrant Falls Peach', 'Sparkler White Blush' and 'Waterfall Encanto Pink'.
Leaf begonias (Begonia brevirimosa Exotica) usually only have small flowers, but they have even more magnificent decorative leaves.
© blickwinkel/Imago
3. Persistent blooms
Many species of begonias produce colorful and attractive flowers in white, yellow, orange and pink tones and even red. Some varieties resemble rose petals, some fuchsias, sometimes double, sometimes fringed.
These flowers can come in different shapes, sizes and colors.
The begonias are very flowery and, if cared for reasonably well and in a bright to partially shaded location, they bloom permanently from May to October, indoors all year round.
And the best thing: Some varieties, like 'Mariechen' or 'Angelique', even have a scent.
You can find even more exciting garden topics in the regular newsletter from our partner 24garten.de.
4. Easy to care for plants
In general, begonias do not require much attention.
A bright location, at least in a room without direct sun, is ideal.
Rain should be avoided outside.
Indoors, consistent watering is sufficient so that the tropical plant is always slightly moist.
Avoid waterlogging.
5. Hardly any fertilizer needed
If you've forgotten about fertilizing, begonias are the right choice for you.
The plants need almost no fertilizer, at least outside, but only a very small supply of nutrients in the irrigation water about every 14 days.
However, they prefer to get their nutrients only from loose, humus-rich soil.
There is no fertilization in winter.
6. Hardy tubers
The begonia is perennial and winter-hardy; the tubers, if the respective variety has any, can be overwintered indoors at five to 15 degrees Celsius.
From February or March they are planted like dahlias and then come back outside after the ice saints.
7. Easy propagation
All you need to propagate or rejuvenate begonias is a glass of water.
Then you can always cut cuttings that will form roots in water.
But leaf cuttings can also be obtained by placing them directly on potting soil.
Dividing the tubers in spring is a third, simple method.
The editor wrote this article and then used an AI language model for optimization at her own discretion. All information has been carefully checked. Find out more about our AI principles here.