The begonia is a much-loved perennial to have in a backyard. In addition to being easy to take care of, this plant has lovely flowers in many colors that make any room feel better. Even though begonias are beautiful when planted alone, there are some other flowers and shrubs that will look great with them and help them grow.
All gardeners agree that the best way to style a modern garden is to use plants that do well in the same conditions. This concept, also called “companion planting,” isn’t just about making it easier to give your plants everything they need; it’s also about choosing plants that help each other. Here are ten pairings that you can try in your own backyard to benefit your begonia blooms. Remember that begonias can’t handle frost, so if you live in a place that gets really cold in the winter, it’s best to bring these plants inside if they’re in containers!
With their stunning colors and forms, begonias are a quintessential choice for container gardens But on their own, they can look a bit lonely The solution? Complement your potted begonias with companion plants that enhance their beauty.
Certain companions can make begonias really shine by contrasting or echoing their colors and textures Others help deter pests, improve pollination, or provide microclimates that benefit your begonias When paired thoughtfully in pots, these plant friends create pleasing, productive displays.
Here are 10 of the best companion plants to grow with container begonias:
1. Impatiens
Few annuals rival impatiens for shade color. Their flowers come in single or double forms, in bright hues like red, orange, pink, purple, and white. Impatiens make perfect partners for begonias in shady container gardens. They share preferences for rich, moist soil and filtered light conditions.
impatiens
When paired in pots, impatiens and begonias complement each other beautifully. The impatiens’ busy blooms contrast nicely against begonias’ larger, more delicate flowers. Try combining colors like purple impatiens with pink or white begonias for a pretty look.
2. Coleus
Coleus is beloved for its stunning, colorful foliage. Ranging from chartreuse to deep burgundy, its dramatic leaves pop against begonias’ blooms Both coleus and begonias thrive in partial shade with regular watering, making them ideal pot companions
coleus
Use coleus and begonias together to create lovely contrast and textural interest. Choose coleus with deep red or purple leaves to really make your begonias’ colors sparkle. Fringed and lacy leaved varieties also pair nicely with begonias’ rounded leaves.
3. Sweet Alyssum
Sweet alyssum is a fast-growing annual that blooms prolifically in containers. Masses of tiny white flowers cover these plants from summer until frost. The flowers have a delicate, honey-like fragrance. Beyond its charm and scent, alyssum attracts beneficial pollinators.
sweet alyssum
Pair this trailing plant with upright begonias to get a full pot display. White alyssum helps soften and accent boldly colored begonias. Its low spreader habit contrasts wonderfully with begonias’ taller, bushy form. Alyssum thrives in sun to part shade.
4. Supertunia® Mini Vista Petunias
For vibrant color through summer and fall, it’s hard to beat Supertunia® petunias. These popular, award-winning plants bloom abundantly in sunny container gardens. Their mounding habit complements the taller shape of begonias.
petunias
Supertunias come in dazzling hues that make begonias pop, like fuchsia, bubblegum pink and bright yellow. Combine them with red or orange begonias for stunning color duos. As carefree plants that love sun and heat, petunias are perfect pot partners for sun-loving begonias.
5. Ivy Geraniums
Ivy geraniums make exceptional container companions for begonias. As beautiful trailing plants, their cascading stems complement begonias’ upright form. Floriferous ivy geraniums bloom prolifically in pots, producing colorful flowers in shades like red, pink, salmon and white.
ivy geraniums
Ivy geraniums match begonias’ fondness for partial shade with frequent fertilizing and watering. Include them in mixed pots to add flowing accents to begonias. Or let ivy geraniums spill gracefully over the edges of begonias in hanging baskets for gorgeous displays.
6. Calibrachoa
Also called million bells, calibrachoa bear hundreds of petite, petunia-like blooms. These heat and drought-tolerant plants thrive alongside begonias in containers, producing flowers continuously from spring until autumn’s first frost.
calibrachoa
Their mounding form complements begonias’ upright growth habit. Calibrachoas come in many dazzling hues, like blue, purple, yellow and bicolors. Use them to lend colorful accents and texture interest next to begonias’ larger blooms and leaves.
7. Polka Dot Plant
Grown for its vividly speckled and veined foliage, polka dot plant serves as a lively accent plant with begonias. Its relatively small size also makes it suitable for planting at the front of pots and planters.
polka dot plant
Polka dot plant’s leaf colors range from chartreuse to deep pink and purple, so it can be coordinated with diverse begonia varieties. Combine it with begonias in shady annual container displays. Its colorful leaves will beautifully contrast begonias’ floral splendor.
8. Begonia Dragon Wing®
For pots with begonias, consider adding other ornamental begonia varieties too. Mixing several types creates intriguing displays that show off the diversity of begonia forms.
dragon wing begonia
Dragon wing begonias make eye-catching companions with their extra-large, slightly ruffled blooms on red stems. Their abundant clusters of orange-red flowers beautifully complement wax and tuberous begonias. Dragon wings also match the part shade needs of other begonias.
9. Fern
Ferns are among the most popular companions for container begonias. Their lacy, graceful fronds contrast wonderfully with begonias’ bold leaves and flowers. Shade loving ferns help keep potting mixes cooler and provide microclimates begonias appreciate.
fern
Plant bushy, mounding ferns like tassel fern next to upright begonias. Let trailing varieties like rabbits foot fern spill over pot edges to accent cascading begonias. Choose ferns with hues that enhance your begonias, like silvery ghost fern or bright green autumn fern.
10. Flowering Maple
No list of begonia companions would be complete without other flowering maple varieties. The Abutilons, as they are also called, include many fantastic choices like variegated flowering maple.
flowering maple
Flowering maples complement other begonias beautifully with their large, dangling, bell-shaped blooms. Their mapled-shaped leaves also contrast nicely with common begonias’ rounded foliage. Mix colors and enjoy these begonia cousins together in patio containers.
With smart plant pairings, you can create gorgeous potted begonia displays that boost growth, attract pollinators, and showcase these plants’ best qualities. Just be sure to match plants with similar sunlight and watering needs. Then stand back and enjoy the beauty of your begonias and their pleasing companions.
Ferns (Image credit: Walmart)
Experts agree that this is the most popular choice for your begonias. An expert in gardening at Simplify Gardening, Tony O’Neil, says that ferns are great companion plants because they like shade and can add interesting textures to the planting area.
Gene Caballero, co-founder of Your Green Pal, also recommends pairing begonias with ferns because theyre evergreen. The deep greens contrast beautifully with the vibrant colors of begonias, providing a lush backdrop that highlights their blooms, he says. Ferns like the Christmas fern or the tassel fern are hardy and can survive winter temperatures, making them great companions for outdoor begonias in milder climates. Asparagus Fern Seeds
No. of seeds: 200 Price: $9.99
Impatients (Image credit: Walmart)
Impatients have gorgeously vivid colored flowers and there are more than 1,000 different varieties. “You could also put begonias and impatiens together because they need similar care and their different colors and textures can make a beautiful display,” says Tony. Theyre a popular choice for both garden borders and hanging baskets. Impatient seeds.
No. of seeds: 200 Price: $9.99
Best Care Tips for Your Begonias – Talking About Tuberous & Hiemalis Begonias
What flowers go with begonias?
They both thrive in moist soil that has excellent drainage. Torenia flowers can be another fine choice when you’re looking for an interesting plant to go with begonias. These are also sometimes referred to as wishbone flowers. These flowers will be great additions to your landscape and they truly do add a lot of aesthetic appeal to any yard.
Do begonias look good with companions?
Some common types of begonias that would look amazing with companions include: Let’s take a closer look at some of the best plants to add to your garden when planting begonias. Impatiens and begonias can pair well together because they have similar growing requirements such as partial shades and well-draining soil.
Can begonias be planted with other plants?
Begonias can be planted with a variety of other plants, but some pairings are more successful than others. Some good companion plants for begonias include: Impatiens. Impatiens are a good companion plant for begonias because they have similar light and water requirements.
What ferns go with begonias?
Many people use ferns as nice background plants to go alongside begonias because they help to showcase the color of the begonias. Much like begonias, Boston ferns will thrive in moist soil that drains really well. If you enjoy the way that Boston ferns look, then this might be a really nice plant to consider putting near your begonias.