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You are a nature enthusiast who enjoys flowers and gardening. However, your living space only has a small balcony. Growing hanging flowers is an excellent solution for you. The hanging flower baskets are vibrant and sway gently in the breeze, creating a romantic natural scene right on the balcony or porch. Begonias are one of the best flowers for making beautiful hanging baskets. Let’s find and make the “Begonias for hanging baskets” at your home with Garden How.
What are the best Begonias for hanging baskets?
Begonias, both hanging and creeping, are among the easiest and most adaptable of all tender plants. These flowering plants can climb or hang from three inches to three feet or more.
The structural form of trailing Begonias can be open or dense, with a bold or delicate effect.
The Begonia tuberhybrida comes in many different colors and shades of green; it has eye-catching patterns or variegation; and its leaves can be round, oval, star-shaped, or palmlike, with a rough-hairy, soft-velvety, or glossy-smooth texture.
The following is the common Begonias for hanging baskets:
Rhizomatous Begonias
These Begonias have a thick, rooting rhizome that will cover the pot soil in a hanging basket or climb a totem or other porous support.
The majority of them bloom in early spring, with cloudlike clusters of dainty Begonia flowers on tall, thin stems high above the foliage.
This list of Begonias hanging baskets varieties includes some classic, all-time favorites. New hybrids are constantly being introduced.
Begonia bowerae
Begonia bowerae, also known as the eyelash Begonia, is a flowering plant in the Begoniaceae family native to the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Chiapas. They are an evergreen, creeping, rhizomatous perennial known for its ornate foliage. This Begonia hanging basket has small, heart-shaped, emerald green leaves with chocolate marks and bristles around the edges. It produces loose clusters of pink-tinted, white flowers held on thin pink stems above the foliage in late winter and early spring.
Begonia coccinea
Begonia coccinea originated in Brazil and has since become a popular houseplant throughout the world. Its leaves, also known as the Angel Wing Begonia, are green with red margins on top and a dark red color underneath. In the spring, it produces masses of coral-colored flowers on red stalks. Begonias hanging baskets is a hybrid species that is also the parent of many other hybrids.
Begonia hydrocotylifolia
Begonia hydrocotylifolia is an extremely rare houseplant that requires consistent watering to thrive. They thrive in bright light. So you should not place it no more than 3 feet from a window.
Begonia hydrocotylifolia prefers well-drained soil. You shouldn’t need to fertilize your plant if you repot it every time it doubles in size.
Begonia imperialis
Begonia imperialis, also known as the imperial Begonia, is a flowering plant native to southern Mexico and Guatemala. It received the Garden Merit Award from the Royal Horticultural Society. This Begonia hanging basket has olive-green leaves with silver markings that are delicate and nubby. The smaragdina variety is smooth and emerald in color.
Begonia masoniana
Begonia masoniana (Iron Cross Begonia) is a well-known evergreen rhizomatous perennial grown for its eye-catching foliage of large, oval, rough-textured, bright green leaves with cross-shaped, dark chocolate brown centers. The small pink-flushed white flowers, which bloom in erect panicles, are an added bonus. Combine it with other foliage plants or brightly colored shade-loving plants. It is ideal for pots and containers and makes an excellent houseplant.
Begonia boliviensis
Begonia boliviensis ‘Santa Cruz,’ a beautiful trailing Begonia, produces masses of large, eye-catching, fiery red-orange blossoms held among large, arrow-shaped, neatly serrated green leaves. Its elegant cascades of vivid, elongated flowers resembling fuchsias make it ideal for vertical gardens. Introduce this heat and drought tolerant Begonia to your containers and hanging baskets and you’ll be rewarded with brilliant color throughout the summer and fall!
Begonia Mazae
Begonia Mazae is an intriguing houseplant with hairy, fringed, asymmetrical leaves that mature to an almost black color suffused with some green and a light green spot in the center. It is a highly decorative, low-maintenance Begonia that makes an excellent houseplant!
Between March and May, Begonia Mazae can produce clusters of pendulous, soft pink-white flowers. This Begonia hanging basket is native to Mexico. It can grow to a height of 30 cm, so it remains relatively compact.
Besides, there are some Begonias for hanging baskets that belong to Rhizomatous varieties, including Begonia hispidivillosa, Begonia Liebmanni, Begonia stitched leaf, Begonia sunderbruchi, Begonia vellozoana
Non-Tuberous Trailing Begonias
In addition to the varieties of Begonias hanging baskets listed above, many other types of Begonias are ideal for growing in suspended containers or at the edge of a window box or garden.
Angel wing Begonias have arching stems that drip outrageously large clusters of brilliant flowers at regular intervals throughout the year, as does the Dragon wing Begonia.
Wax, or semperflorens Begonias are mature plants that will fill out and overflow a basket.
Many others can be made to droop attractively by allowing the plant to dry out to the point of wilting, then attaching clothespins or other weights to the stem tips to keep them down for a day or two after the plant is watered.
Begonia convolvulacea
Begonia convolvulacea is a trailing or scandent Begonia with glossy green leaves and clusters of white flowers in the winter. If given the opportunity, this Begonia will make an attractive hanging basket or will climb a moss pole or other support.
Begonia glabra
Begonia glabra is a relatively new species to the terrarium hobby that is quickly becoming a fan favorite. They are a South American trailing plant. It has a green heart-shaped leaf and looks lovely as a hanging basket. It has gleaming leaves and stems that easily grow roots to cling to whatever they can find. Under bright light, the new leaves have a beautiful red coloration that fades to green as they mature. It only blooms once or twice a year and has clusters of white flowers.
Begonia limmingheiana
The Begonia hanging basket is an evergreen perennial with trailing stems up to 45cm long. This hanging Begonia has blue-green with white spots above, purple beneath, and slightly wavy margins on ovate to heart-shaped, pointed, shiny leaves up to 7cm across. It produces orange-red flowers up to 2.5cm across in loose clusters in the winter.
Begonia ‘Cascade Pink’
‘Cascade Pink’ Begonias are perfect for hanging baskets, tall pots that call for a cascade of blooms, or raised beds where they can romp over the edges with playful yet splendid exuberance.
From early summer to autumn, striking, large pink double blooms provide plenty of ‘wow’ factor, cascading from containers. This vibrant selection adds tropical tones to both modern and traditional gardens.
Begonia ‘Cascade Red’
This brilliant red variety with large double blooms has a lot of color and will trail beautifully from containers all summer. It looks great planted alone or in groups, with contrasting dark foliage.
Begonia ‘Cascade White’
This cool white variety will brighten up your summer garden. Large double blooms are produced on a regular basis and will fall nicely from containers for months.
Begonia ‘Pendula White’
This elegant variety provides months of interest with pendulous pink-tinged white blooms that are continuously produced throughout summer and into autumn. It is ideal for a white-themed garden or to add a splash of color to a colorful scheme.
Begonia ‘Bertini’
This spectacular new variety will help you grow something different this summer. Begonia ‘Bertini’ is a vigorous, large variety that puts on a spectacular show all summer. The single pendulous blooms dangle gracefully above the equally lovely, lush green foliage.
Besides, Begonia sanguinea, Begonia manni, and Begonia macrocarpa are excellent choices for Begonia hanging baskets.
When is the best time for planting a hanging Begonia?
Spring is the best time to buy Begonias because you will have the most variety and will get much better value for money than if you wait until the summer and buy ready-grown ones. During the spring, they are delivered as seeds or tubers, ready for you to grow at home.
Begonias hanging baskets planting instructions
Planting Begonias from seed in hanging baskets
- Fill a container or tray halfway with fine potting mix (a seed blend is ideal) and thoroughly moisten, allowing any excess water to drain away. The soil should be moist but not wet.
- Distribute the seeds evenly across the surface of the mixture.
It will be difficult to distribute them evenly if they are not pelleted, but try. Firm them lightly with a block of wood to ensure they’re in contact with the growth mix, but don’t cover them with soil: they need light to germinate.
- After that, fill the seed container halfway with lukewarm water and place it in a clear plastic bag or mini-greenhouse to maintain the high humidity needed for successful germination.
- Place the container 6 to 12 inches (15-30 cm) beneath the fluorescent lamp. Its gentle warmth will encourage germination while keeping the container warm. The temperature should be above 70°F (21°C), even at night.
- Tiny green leaves should appear in 7 to 14 days, possibly sooner. When the leaves are large enough to be seen, remove the covering.
- When the soil begins to dry out, keep enough light and water on hand. Instead of watering from above, pour lukewarm water into the tray below and let the earth “drink” its fill.
- When the seedlings have two or three leaves, transplant them into individual tiny pots or plug trays.
Planting Begonias in hanging baskets from tubers
Here are some simple steps to get your Begonias hanging baskets started:
- Fill an 8cm seed tray halfway with compost.
- Make shallow indents in the compost (about 3 cm deep) and place your tubers concave-side up in the indents. Allow for a 2 cm gap between tubers.
- Water the tubers thoroughly but gently, and place them in a bright, frost-free location to grow.
- When the leaves appear, move the tubers and plant them in pots, window boxes, or hanging baskets, but keep them frost-free until the risk of frost has passed.
- Containers can quickly dry out on hot days, so water them every morning and evening during the summer.
- To enjoy the most vibrant displays, feed them weekly with a high-potassium fertilizer, such as tomato fertilizer.
- Begonias frequently flower until the first frosts. Remove your Begonias from their containers before the frost arrives, shake off the soil, and store them in a dry, well-ventilated, and frost-free location. The process can then be repeated the following year.
How to care for Begonias hanging baskets?
Like other hanging flowers, the Begonia hanging basket also needs to be taken care of to help your plants grow well. Here are some factors that you need to pay attention to if you care for them.
Light requirements for Begonias hanging baskets
Give trailing Begonias plenty of light to grow a full, multi-stemmed plant with lots of flowers. If you’re growing the plant outside, place it in a spot that gets some filtered sun in the morning, but avoid hot sun at midday or in the afternoon because it will burn the plant. A location under a densely branched tree with shifting sun and partial shade is ideal. Keep a houseplant in a bright spot indoors, such as an east window that gets some morning sun.
If the leaves begin to fade and turn light green, this indicates that the Begonia is receiving too much light; relocate the plant to a shadier location. If the stems become excessively long, with long gaps between the leaf origins, this indicates that the plant requires more light; in this case, relocate it to a brighter location.
Water requirements
Hanging Begonia plants thrive in evenly moist soil, but overwatering can result in constantly soggy soil, which can damage the plant and, if not corrected, may kill it. Water an indoor plant whenever the top inch or two feels dry to the touch, allowing the pot to drain completely. Keep the pot in a water-filled saucer at all times to avoid root rot.
When growing a hanging Begonia outside, water it whenever the soil surface feels dry. During the summer, it’s a good idea to check this every few days because hot weather can cause the soil to dry out quickly.
A Begonia, whether grown indoors or in the garden, slows its growth during the winter months when it rests, so reduce watering during this time.
Fertilizing guidelines for Begonias hanging baskets
Fertilizing a hanging Begonia every time you water it helps the plant grow and flower during its active season, which lasts from spring to early fall. Use a balanced formula, such as 20-20-20, and dilute it to half strength, or about 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water, but check the product label for specific instructions.
To help set more flower buds, switch to a high-phosphorus formula just before flowering begins, usually in early summer. For garden plants, for example, use a 15-30-15 formula, diluting 1 tablespoon in 1 gallon of water and 1/2 teaspoon per gallon for houseplants, but check the product label for more information. Feed the plant every one to two weeks until the blooming season is over, which is usually in the fall. Withhold fertilizer during the winter months to allow the plant to rest.
Trimming for “Begonias hanging baskets”
“Begonias hanging baskets” may become leggy as the season progresses and the stems lengthen. Encourage bushier growth and lateral branching by pinching back the growing tips frequently, using your fingertips or pruning shears with rubbing alcohol-wiped blades between cuts to avoid spreading plant diseases. You can also produce a more shapely plant by varying the length of the stems through trimming. Every now and then, remove some old stems from an older plant to encourage new growth from the plant’s base.
Frost protection for Begonias hanging baskets
If you grow a hanging Begonia outside all year and expect an unusual cold or even frost, bring it inside until the weather warms up, as a freeze could kill it. You can also leave it outside, but protect it by hanging a light cloth from the planter’s hook and covering the entire plant with it, or by enclosing the planter in a plastic bag and tying the open ends of the bag to the planter’s hook. Take care not to damage the stems or flower buds by removing any covering.
Pest prevention for Begonias hanging baskets
Begonias are usually disease-free, but they can attract a variety of pests, including fluffy white mealybugs. Control them by destroying them with a rubbing alcohol-soaked cotton swab. Spider mites, which form visible, weblike coverings on leaves and flowers, may also be attracted to the plant. Kill these pests by thoroughly spraying the plant with insecticidal soap diluted at a rate of 5 tablespoons per gallon of water; repeat every two weeks as needed.
Questions and Answers
How many Begonias should I plant in a hanging basket?
The number of Begonias you should plant in a hanging basket is determined by the container’s size. It is recommended that you plant no more than three or four Begonias in a small basket. It is recommended that you plant at least six or seven Begonias in a large one.
How long does hanging Begonia last?
The majority of Begonias are annuals (lasting only one season). Tuberous Begonia tubers can be saved to replant the following year, or annual Begonias can be brought in as houseplants in the winter. In warmer climates, some rhizomatous and hardy Begonias are perennial, or return year after year.
Conclusion
Trailing Begonias are the way to go for impressively large basket displays. They provide masses of colorful flowers that cascade beautifully from any container, whether you prefer the big, blowsy blooms of double-flowered varieties or the elegant single-flowered varieties. Garden How hope you can find a “Begonias for hanging baskets” for your home. Hang trailing Begonias in baskets for a colorful welcome home, or scatter them around the patio for a splash of color.
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