Begonias are great for adding cheery splashes of colour in any garden, no matter how large or small.
You can pick from a lot of different options that work well in a lot of different places and situations.
Bundles of Begonias are one of the most common ways to add them to a garden.
While many types of Begonias can be grown in hanging baskets, the tuberous Begonias are likely the best and most popular. There are also a lot of different cultivars to choose from.
These will hang over the edges of the hanging basket and create a beautiful floriferous display.
“I grow trailing scandent begonias in hanging baskets in trees so they can hang over and give my garden a new look,” says Janeen from the Melbourne Begonia Society.
With their cheery, abundant blooms in a rainbow of colors, begonias are one of the most popular choices for hanging baskets and containers. Both tuberous and wax begonias thrive in these suspended planters, cascading gracefully over the edges
In this complete guide, we’ll cover how to select the best begonias for hanging baskets, provide planting and care tips, and troubleshoot potential issues. Soon you’ll be on your way to stunning begonia basket displays!
An Overview of Begonias for Hanging Baskets
Let’s start with a quick introduction to the two main types of begonias suitable for hanging baskets
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Tuberous begonias – Grown from tubers; most common. Varieties include Nonstop, Whopper, and Illumination.
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Wax begonias – Grown from seed or cuttings; more tolerant of heat. Varieties like Dragon Wing work well.
The trailing or cascading growth habit is ideal, allowing begonias to drape attractively over basket edges. Look for basket-specific or trailing cultivars.
Key Benefits of Growing Begonias in Hanging Baskets
Beyond their beauty, begonias offer these advantages in hanging baskets:
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Provide months of nonstop color from spring through fall.
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Tolerate partial shade well; ideal for porches and patios.
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Require little maintenance when given suitable growing conditions.
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Trailing types have fabulous cascading habit perfect for baskets.
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Variety of colors, bloom shapes, and leaf forms to suit any style.
Preparing Your Hanging Basket for Begonias
You’ll need to select a suitable hanging basket and prepare it before planting. Here are some tips:
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Choose a basket 10-14 inches wide and at least 6 inches deep for best results.
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Line wire baskets with moss or coconut coir liners to hold soil and moisture.
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Fill lined baskets with a quality potting mix for containers and hanging baskets.
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Make sure your hanging basket has good drainage holes. Add extra if needed.
Planting Your Begonias
Once your hanging basket is prepped, it’s time for the fun part – planting your begonias! Follow these steps:
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For tuberous begonias, plant the tubers in spring after the last frost. Space 3-5 tubers evenly.
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For wax begonias, transplant young plants after the last frost, spacing them evenly.
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Plant begonias along the edges as well as the top center to encourage cascading.
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Plant the tuber or plant’s crown just below the soil surface. Gently firm soil around.
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Water well after planting and let excess drain out the bottom. Don’t allow standing water.
Caring for Hanging Basket Begonias
Keep your begonias thriving with proper care. Here are the keys:
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Place baskets in partial sun or part shade spots. Avoid full hot sun.
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Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Don’t let plants wilt badly.
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Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with a balanced soluble plant food.
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Remove faded flowers to encourage new blooms.
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Prune or train wayward stems for best cascading effect.
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Bring baskets indoors before frost if wanting to reuse tubers next year.
Troubleshooting Issues With Hanging Basket Begonias
While generally quite robust, begonias can sometimes suffer problems. Here’s how to prevent and treat common issues:
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Stunted growth – Often caused by overwatering. Allow soil to dry out more between waterings.
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Powdery mildew – Improve air circulation and reduce water on leaves. Remove infected parts promptly.
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Drooping leaves – Usually indicates under-watering. Water more frequently.
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Holes in leaves – Watch for caterpillars and hand pick to remove.
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Leggy growth – Prune long stems back by 1/3 to encourage bushy regrowth.
Enjoying Stunning Hanging Basket Begonias
With a bit of planning and proper care, growing begonias in hanging baskets is an easy way to enjoy gorgeous color on your porch, patio or anywhere you hang these living works of art.
Choose a suitable basket, line it if needed, and use a quality potting mix. Plant tubers or young starter plants after the danger of frost. Water and fertilize regularly to keep plants lush and floriferous.
Sit back and admire as your beautiful begonias cascade gracefully over the edges, providing nonstop blooms. You’ll soon see why these are top choices for flower-filled hanging basket displays.
Planting Up Begonia
Depending on whether you bought tubers or young plants in pots, you will need to plant your hanging basket in a different way.
To start tubers indoors, put them on a seed tray. When the last frost date in your area comes around, plant them in a hanging basket.
You should also plant young plug plants or plants in pots into the hanging basket in the spring, after there is no longer any chance of frost where you live.
Most of the time, you should plant three to four Begonias in a basket that is about 40 cm across. However, this can change depending on the type of Begonia you choose and the basket or hanging container in question.
You might also choose to add other plants alongside Begonias to create mixed displays.
You could add ivy, other leafy plants, or flowering plants that do well in the same conditions as the Begonias if you put them there.
Choosing Your Basket
Should you choose to make a hanging Begonia display, one of the first things you will need to do is choose the type of basket you want to use.
Remember, your hanging garden does not necessarily need to be contained within a typical basket at all.
When hung in the right place, you can grow your Begonias in a lot of different containers. You can grow them alone or with other summer flowering plants that are also suitable.
Often, making sure of reclaimed items and materials can be a fun, attractive, low-cost and eco-friendly choice.
There are a lot of hanging baskets on the market if you don’t want to do it yourself.
You can choose standard baskets that are planted from the top, or you can pick one that lets you plant from the bottom and on the sides as well.
If you are using a typical wire basket, you will need to line it.
You can use moss from your lawn (as long as you haven’t done anything to it), cardboard liners, or liners made from other fibrous materials, like coconut coir.
Fill your hanging basket or other chosen container with any peat-free multipurpose compost.
Begonias are usually pretty easy to take care of. They should do well for one season no matter what kind of medium you use, as long as you water them and do everything else the right way.
Growing Begonia In Hanging Baskets
FAQ
How do you plant begonias in a hanging basket?
Do begonias like shade or sun hanging baskets?
How often should I water begonias in hanging baskets?
How do you keep begonias blooming hanging?
Can you grow Begonias in a hanging basket?
Hanging baskets also allow you to grow begonias in small spaces, such as balconies or patios. In addition, hanging begonias can be used to create stunning displays when combined with other plants. They also provide a beautiful backdrop for other hanging plants, such as ferns or ivy.
Are hanging begonias a good choice?
Hanging begonias are an excellent choice for gardeners who want to add a pop of color to their outdoor space. They are easy to care for and require minimal maintenance. Hanging baskets also allow you to grow begonias in small spaces, such as balconies or patios.
Where should Begonia hanging baskets be placed?
Placing begonia hanging baskets in an area with bright, indirect light or dappled shade is ideal. Shade-loving begonias thrive in areas with indirect light, such as under a tree canopy or on a porch with filtered sunlight. This provides them with the right balance of light and shade.
What problems do Begonia hanging basket plants have?
Here are some common problems that you may encounter with your begonia hanging basket plants and their solutions. Pests like aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites can infest your begonia plants, causing damage to the leaves and flowers. To control these pests, you can use insecticidal soap or neem oil.