Are Begonias Perennials (US Guide)

Are begonias perennials or annuals?

The answer depends on type and USDA zone. Hardy begonias (Begonia grandis) are true perennials in Zones 6–9 across most of the US. Tuberous begonias are perennials only in Zones 9–11. Wax begonias (bedding begonias) are annuals in all zones except 9–11. All begonias can be kept as perennials indoors anywhere in the US.

This question creates confusion because “begonia” covers hundreds of species and thousands of cultivars with very different cold hardiness. The begonias sold at big-box retailers in May — the mounded, waxy-leaved plants in 4-inch pots — are almost all wax begonias (Begonia semperflorens), which are annuals in most of the US. The tall, airy begonias in specialty nurseries may be hardy begonias (Begonia grandis), which behave completely differently.

Knowing which type you have determines your overwintering strategy.

Types of begonias and their hardiness

Hardy begonias — the best perennial option for Zones 6–9

Hardy begonias (Begonia grandis) are the only begonias that reliably return from the roots each year in most of the continental US. They die to the ground after the first frost, then re-emerge from dormant roots in late spring when soil warms above 60°F.

Hardy begonias are perennial in Zones 6–9 and marginally in Zone 5 with heavy mulch. They grow 18–24 inches tall with nodding pink or white flowers from July through frost. The foliage is attractive — large, asymmetric leaves with red-tinged undersides — making them useful as shade plants even when not in bloom.

They spread by small bulbils that form in the leaf axils and drop to the ground, producing a small colony over several seasons. In some areas of the Southeast (Zone 8–9), they spread aggressively enough to be considered mildly invasive — deadhead or remove bulbils if you want to limit spread.

Hardy begonias require:

• Partial to full shade — direct afternoon sun burns the leaves
• Consistently moist, well-drained soil
• No deadheading (flowers drop cleanly)
• Mulch over the root zone in Zone 6 and colder for winter protection

In Zone 5, cut back after frost and apply 4–6 inches of shredded bark mulch over the crown. Some plants survive; others do not. Zone 5 gardeners should treat hardy begonias as “maybe perennial” rather than reliably perennial.

Tuberous begonias — perennial in Zones 9–11, annual everywhere else

Tuberous begonias are grown from underground tubers that store energy between growing seasons. In Zones 9–11, they can remain in the ground year-round. In Zones 4–8, the tubers must be dug before the first fall frost and stored indoors through winter.

Tuberous begonias produce the largest, showiest flowers of any begonia type — some cultivars produce blooms 6–8 inches across in red, orange, yellow, white, pink, and bicolor combinations. They are the most desirable ornamental begonias for containers and hanging baskets, but also the most work in cold climates.

How to overwinter tuberous begonia tubers (Zones 4–8)

Timing matters: dig tubers before the first hard frost (28°F or below). A light frost (29–32°F) may damage the foliage but often leaves tubers intact if you dig immediately.

Step 1 — Cut back foliage: After the first light frost blackens the leaves, cut stems to 2–3 inches above soil level.

Step 2 — Dig carefully: Use a garden fork to loosen soil 6 inches around the plant. Lift the tuber without cutting it — cut tubers rot in storage.

Step 3 — Dry for 2 weeks: Place tubers in a single layer on newspaper in a warm, dry indoor location (65–70°F). The stem stub will dry and fall off. Leave it; it does not need to be removed.

Step 4 — Remove excess soil: After drying, brush off loose soil. Do not wash tubers — wet storage causes rot.

Step 5 — Pack and store: Place tubers in paper bags, cardboard boxes, or wooden crates filled with dry peat, vermiculite, or sawdust. Store at 45–55°F. A basement, unheated garage that stays above 40°F, or a spare refrigerator set to 50°F all work.

Step 6 — Check monthly: Look for rot (soft, dark spots) and remove affected tubers immediately to prevent spread. Look for premature sprouting — if tubers sprout in storage, move them to brighter light and pot them up early.

Step 7 — Replant in spring: Start tubers indoors in pots 6–8 weeks before your last frost date, or wait and plant directly outdoors after the last frost when soil reaches 60°F.

Wax begonias — annuals in almost all of the US

Wax begonias (Begonia semperflorens) are treated as annuals in Zones 4–8. They produce continuously from planting through frost, require almost no care, and cost $0.25–$1 per plant at garden centers. They are rarely worth the effort of overwintering — just buy new plants each spring.

Wax begonias are the most widely sold bedding plants in the US, used in mass plantings under trees, along walkways, and in shaded containers. They tolerate more sun than any other begonia type — some cultivars (especially red-flowered types) perform in full sun — and they bloom continuously without deadheading.

In Zones 9–11, wax begonias grow year-round and self-seed freely, producing colonies that require occasional thinning. In some Gulf Coast cities they are treated as a mildly weedy self-seeder.

The tubers of wax begonias are tiny (pea-sized) and not worth the effort of saving in Zones 4–8. Treat them as annuals and buy fresh stock each season.

Rex and cane begonias — houseplant perennials

Rex begonias (grown for dramatic foliage in silver, burgundy, and green) and cane-type begonias (angel wing begonias with bamboo-like stems) are grown as houseplants year-round in most of the US. They can spend summers outdoors in any zone and return indoors in fall.

Rex begonias are among the most striking foliage plants available and are perennial as houseplants indefinitely with correct care:

• Bright indirect light (no direct sun)
• Allow the top inch of soil to dry before watering
• High humidity (60%+) prevents leaf edge browning
• Temperature above 55°F at all times

Cane begonias can grow 3–6 feet tall as houseplants and produce large clusters of coral or pink flowers. Outdoors in summer (any zone), they grow vigorously. Move them indoors before nighttime temperatures drop below 50°F in fall.

Comparing begonia types for US gardens

For detailed care information on begonias for US gardens, see our begonia care guide. For full sun alternatives that provide similar continuous color, see annuals that bloom all summer and full sun perennials.

For plants that partner well with begonias in shaded beds, see geranium care for the most commonly paired shade-tolerant annual and cosmos flower for a tall background plant that complements wax begonias in partial shade.

For keeping any begonia alive through an unusual cold snap, see how to keep plants alive for emergency frost protection methods that work for begonias and other tender plants.