Begonia Hanging Plants

If you haven’t discovered them yet, begonias have everything going for them when deciding to add plants to your home or garden: it’s hard to find a home decorating theme or gardening style that doesn’t fit in with these colourful, graceful plants. There are more than 1,500 varieties of begonias to choose from, and hanging varieties are particularly easy to care for. Said to represent the graceful charm and sincerity of the wearer, in old China, a begonia bud in the buttonhole meant the person was ready to get hitched, hanging begonia is a great plant to bring the freshness outdoors. Not only that, they are widely cultivated as houseplants because they are restful due to their strong horizontal roots, slow growth, and low light needs. If you’re an avid gardener or are keen to try the planting game, begonia hanging plants are an excellent choice to add an elegant touch to your outdoor or indoor space.

Welcome to this ultimate guide about the different types of begonia hanging plants, as well as a complete begonia hanging plants care guide, which you will learn from this article. For beginners who are embarking on their journey with begonia hanging, this article will give you the vital information you need.

What Are Begonia Hanging Plants?

They have a sprawling or trailing, cascading growth habit. These hanging begonia plants look like they’re on stepladders. There are several varieties of hanging begonias, but they’re all ideal for a hanging arrangement. They’re the best begonia for hanging baskets, and they’re also perfect for window boxes and elevated planters.

Types of Begonia Hanging Plants

There are many kinds of begonias that make good hanging plants, with each having appealing features:

Begonia Rex (Rex Begonia): Characterised by large, often multi-coloured, spirally patterned foliage – sometimes so decorative that they are grown as ornamentals sans flowers, but many do flowers with small, inconspicuous bloom. Perfect for an indoor hanging basket.

Begonia Boliviensis (Bolivian Begonia): This variety is perfect for outdoor hanging baskets. Bolivian Begonias bloom with masses of tightly tubular flower globes in shades of red, orange or pink spilling from long arching stems, and are perfect for a shady spot in the garden.

Begonia Tuberhybrida (Tuberous Begonia): Tuberous Begonias produce large drooping flowers, with numerous colour varieties, including red, yellow, orange, pink and white. They thrive in hanging baskets inside or outside the house and flower for several months with care.

Begonia Semperflorens (Wax Begonia): Wax begonias are a popular variety for hanging basket arrangements, as they grow to a compact size and bloom all the time. Their foliage is small and waxy, and blooms come in clusters of small flowers in red, pink or white. They are tolerant of a wide range of conditions.

Choosing the Right Location for Your Begonia Hanging Plants

Indoor vs. Outdoor Growing

One of the biggest decisions you’re going to be faced with in your plant-mating adventures is whether you want your begonia hanging plant babies to live their lives indoors or outdoors. You can be equally fulfilled with either option, provided you’re comfortable with the climate where you desire and have the suitable space and amenities.

Indoor Growing: easiest and most convenient way to grow and enjoy begonias is to grow indoor. You can see and appreciate these beautiful plants throughout the year, regardless of the weather. Indoor begonias are not affected by pests common in outdoor growing and they are not affected by other environmental factors. If you have small outdoor space or live in an area with extreme temperatures, indoor growing might be your best option.

Outdoor Growing: You will often see outdoor begonias grown in hanging baskets on patios, balconies or in yard space. They thrive outdoors under a natural sun and fresh air that can make them grow more abundantly and flourish with bigger and better blooms, but they can also attract more pests and may need more effort to protect from wind and extreme changes in temperature.

Light Requirements

Most begonias are shade plants, but the light they require can vary by type: 1.Start by placing your begonia in a spot that receives indirect sunlight most of the day. It is important to know that some begonia types can tolerate full sun, but most prefer partial shade. 2.Create a routine watering schedule and try to water your begonia regularly, even if you are absent for a couple of days. It is crucial to avoid overwatering, especially in winter months. 3.If your humidity is low, you can mist your begonia to provide it with additional moisture as it is a tropical plant. 4.Treat your begonia with care when fertilising it. Begonias do not require fertilisers until they bloom, and when you do fertilise them, use a small amount. 5.Inspect your begonia leaves for browning or yellowing. If you notice them, this could be a sign of overwatering, under-watering, or adverse environmental conditions.

Rex Begonias: Rex begonias need bright, indirect light; direct sunlight can burn their thin leaves, so they are best for hanging baskets kept near a window facing north or east.

Partial shade suits Bolivian Begonias best: they’ll thrive in light shade, and may even appreciate a little morning sun which, however, should be protected from the afternoon sun – which is often much harsher, and risks burning the leaves.

Tuberous Begonias: Dappled sunlight or light shade is best for Tuberous Begonias, except that they tolerate some morning sun before other plants are hot as well. They burn easily if left in full, direct sunshine.

Wax Begonias: Wax begonias are more tolerant than other types of begonia of direct sunlight. They bloom best when planted in full sun to partial shade and are great for hanging baskets both indoors and outdoors.

Temperature and Humidity

Temperature and humidity are important to begonias. Most need temperatures of 60°F to 75°F (15°C to 24°C). They cannot survive frost so, if you grow begonias in the outdoors, be sure to bring them indoors or protect them from the cold.

humidity is another key factor: begonias grow best in a fairly humid environmentIf you are growing begonias indoors, you can create the right humidity by placing a humidity tray or a small humidifier close to your plants.

Planting and Potting Begonia Hanging Plants

Choosing the Right Container

Container choice is part of the success of your begonia hanging plants. Think about the following:

Size: Pick a pot that will accommodate your begonia’s root system, but don’t buy a pot larger than you need since it will hold too much moisture. A pot with a diameter of 10 to 14 inches (25 to 35 cm) is usually enough for most begonia cultivars.

Material: hanging baskets are made from a variety of materials, such as plastic, metal and woven fibres. Plastic baskets are generally lightweight and hold water well, which is perfect for indoor use. Metal and woven baskets tend to be more decorative and can add a rustic touch to your garden.

Drainage: Make sure that your hanging basket has adequate drainage holes that allow the water to flow freely and won’t lead to waterlogging where the roots of the plants reside. If the container that you are using doesn’t have drainage holes, you can also add some yourself or use a liner with the drainage holes.

Soil and Potting Mix

Begonias do not like structured soils that hold water around their roots. Their ideal soil is well-draining, which means you want to avoid compacted or clay soils. You can also choose to plant them in a light and airy potting mix that holds water against freezing temperatures. Make your own light, airy mix that will help prevent your begonia’s roots from getting waterlogged by blending:

1 part peat moss or coconut coir

1 part perlite or vermiculite

1 part potting soil

This mix provides good drainage while retaining enough moisture for the begonias’ roots.

Planting Begonia Hanging Plants

When planting your begonia hanging plants, follow these steps:

Step 2 Prepare the Container: Fill hanging basket with potting mix, leaving an inch (2.5 cm) from the rim.

Planting: Remove the begonia from its nursery pot. Place the begonia in the centre of the basket. Predrill drainage holes. Make sure the root ball is at the soil surface.

Dropping: Add more potting mix around, tamping it gently but firmly to squeeze out air pockets, taking nothing in the process. Make sure not to smother the crown of the plant, which can cause rot.

Watering: Water thoroughly immediately after planting so the soil will settle and the roots will be established.

Caring for Begonia Hanging Plants

Watering

Water your begonia hanging plants well, applying it to the top of the soil. Begonias like constant moisture, but hate to be waterlogged. Here are some guidelines regarding watering.

Check Soil Moisture: Stick your finger into the soil about an inch (2.5 cm) down. If the soil feels dry, water.

Watering Method: Water the soil, not the plants. Avoiding getting the foliage wet will help to prevent fungal disease. Water until water runs out of the bottom of the planter, saturating the entire root mass.

Frequency: Water frequency will be dependent on the temperature, humidity and light levels in your home. Generally, water your begonias when the top inch (2.5 cm) of your potting mix feels dry to the touch.