Kinds of Begonias

Tuberous

• Tuberous begonias are the result of the hybridization of South American begonias in the 20th century. This hybridization process produced a wide variety of flower colors such as orange, red, yellow and purple; these flowers bloom in the winter. The only color tuberous begonias are not available in is blue.

  Tuberous begonias dwell in warm and humid climates. These flowers grow in groups of three, one male and two females. These begonias are known as “tuberous” since the size of the flower's tuber -- an underground part of the stem used for food storage -- determines the amount of flowers that will bloom from the plant. For example, 1.5 to 2-inch tubers result in begonias with five to eight flowers.

Wax

• Although they are not native to the United States, wax begonias are used extensively by horticulturists in the United States for indoor and outdoor ornamental gardening. In their native environment, wax begonias grow in sub-tropical climates. As a result, the largest concentrations of outdoor wax begonia cultivation in the United States are in Florida and southern Georgia. These flowers grow to 18 inches tall and have a width of 24 inches. According to the University of Florida's Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, wax begonias are one of the most popular forms of begonias in the world.

Rhizomatous

• Rhizomatous begonias are able to store moisture and food in the plant's rhizomes, or parts of the stem on or barely above the ground. This variety of begonias may be identified by their star-shaped leaves with a combination of maroon, green and silver colors. Some species of rhizomatous begonia cultivars are the Iron Cross and Rex. Rhizomatous begonias grow in warm climates but prefer to grow in partial sunlight or shaded areas. Overwatering causes rotting in these plants.

Hiemalis

• Also known as Rieger's begonia, the Hiemalis is the result of hybridizing wax and tuberous begonias. One of the tallest begonia varieties, the Hiemalis begonia reaches heights of 12 to 18 inches. Hiemalis begonias have glossy leaves. This plant is an annual, meaning it only lives for one year before wilting. When growing Hiemalis begonias, horticulturists place these plants in partial shade and try not to overwater them. The University of Illinois Extension program advises gardeners to bring Hiemalis begonias indoors when cold weather arrives.