How to Plant Begonia Tubers

Plant begonia tubers in a hanging basket for a cascade of colourful blooms
Image: Begonia x tuberhybrida 'Apricot Shades Improved' F1 Hybrid from T&M

Planted in hanging baskets, containers or borders, begonias fill your garden with colour from late spring until the first frosts. But if you want a show-stopping display it’s important to plant begonia tubers at the right depth and the correct way up. In this video guide we’ll show you how to plant your begonia tubers correctly. Here’s everything you need to know about growing begonias from tubers. 

How to plant a begonia tuber - video guide

Quick guide to planting begonia tubers

The creamy white centres of Begonia 'Crispa Marginata' 'lift' dark corners of the garden
Copyright: Nova-Photo-Graphik-GmbH

Follow these simple step-by-step instructions when planting begonia tubers:

• Place your begonia tuber on the soil surface with the convex side of the tuber underneath. This is where the roots will appear. The concave side facing upwards is where the growing shoots appear.
• Push your begonia tuber firmly down into the top of the compost. The concave top of the tuber should still be visible.
• Water in your tuber and keep in a frost-free place.

Which begonias are the best to grow?

The delicate ruffled ruffled edges of these huge blooms lend them a whimsical notes
Image: Begonia x tuberhybrida 'Giant Picotee Papilio' from T&M

Tuberous begonias generally produce larger blooms than fibrous ‘wax begonias’ and they’re a popular choice for their bright colours and double flowers. Although usually treated like annuals, their tubers can be stored through winter for flowering the following year. Read our begonia masterclass for reviews of different varieties to try.

If you’re planting up a border, a begonia bumper back is a good way to enjoy a mixture of colours and flower forms. For hanging baskets, the trailing varieties in the begonia ‘Pendula’ mix make this collection ideal. And if you like to create contemporary hanging basket or window box displays, choose trailing begonias in a single colour to make a strong, eye-catching statement. 

We hope you find our guide to planting your begonia corms useful. Find more begonia growers guides and articles over at our begonia hub page and produce your own breathtaking display this summer. Share your begonia progress with us on our social channels using the #YourTMGarden.