Begonia Flowers

Begonias are a large, diverse genus prized for long-lasting blooms and showy foliage. Ideal for shaded beds, hanging baskets, and indoor pots, they offer colors from white and pink to red, orange, and yellow across wax, tuberous, and cane types.

Occasions & recipients

Find flowers by occasion

Best occasions

  • Housewarming
  • Get well soon
  • Thank you
  • Birthday
  • Congratulations
  • Mother’s Day

Suitable for

  • Friends
  • Family
  • Colleagues/clients
  • Teachers
  • Neighbors
  • Romantic partners (soft colors)
Color taboos
  • All‑white arrangements may be associated with mourning/funerals in parts of East Asia.
  • Yellow can suggest jealousy or parting in some Western contexts.
  • Deep red may feel too romantic for professional or platonic gifts.
  • Dyed very dark/black tones can be perceived as somber or morbid.
Card messages
  • May these cheerful begonias brighten your space and your day.
  • For your new home—wishing comfort, color, and easy blooms.
  • Thinking of you—here’s a little shade‑loving beauty to lift the mood.
  • Thank you for your kindness; may these blossoms return it in color.
  • Congratulations! May your success keep blooming like these flowers.

At a glance

Key details

Quick reference for habitat, gifting etiquette, and safety when choosing flowers for different occasions and recipients.

Use this section as a practical checklist: where they grow, how to present them thoughtfully, and what to keep in mind regarding toxicity and sensitivity.

Botanical info

Taxonomy
Kingdom: Plantae; Order: Cucurbitales; Family: Begoniaceae; Genus: Begonia; Common names: Begonia, Tuberous Begonia, Wax Begonia, Cane Begonia.
Distribution
Native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, Africa, and Asia; now widely cultivated worldwide as ornamentals.
Conservation
Many wild Begonia species are threatened by habitat loss; choose nursery‑propagated plants, avoid wild collection, and support shade‑plant habitat conservation.
Presentation etiquette
Begonias are most often gifted potted. Use a breathable decorative cachepot with drainage, add a care tag, and avoid crushing foliage with tight wraps. Keep plants upright and protected from cold drafts during transport. Match color to the relationship and occasion (avoid funeral‑coded whites where culturally sensitive).
Ideal delivery time
Best in spring to early summer for outdoor planting; for potted gifts, deliver any time—ideally in the morning and protected from temperature extremes.
Toxicity
Mildly to moderately toxic if ingested; toxic to cats and dogs (calcium oxalate crystals, especially in tubers) causing oral irritation, drooling, and vomiting. May cause mild GI upset in humans; sap can irritate skin—keep away from pets and children.
Allergenicity
Low; minimal airborne pollen, generally considered hypoallergenic. Sap may irritate sensitive skin—wear gloves when pruning.

Meaning & taboos

Symbolism & color
Traditionally linked with caution and considerate thoughts, begonias today also convey gratitude, protection, and enduring cheer in shaded places.

Growing & tools

Care & gear
Growing tips
Provide bright indirect light or partial shade; protect from harsh midday sun. Plant in a loose, well‑drained, organic‑rich medium and keep evenly moist but never waterlogged—water at soil level to keep leaves dry. Maintain 60–75°F/15–24°C with moderate to high humidity and good air flow. Feed a balanced, diluted liquid fertilizer every 2–4 weeks in active growth. Deadhead spent blooms, pinch leggy growth, and overwinter tuberous types dry and frost‑free. Propagate by stem or leaf cuttings.
Recommended tools
  • Hand trowel
  • Pruning snips
  • Watering can with rose
  • Peat‑free potting mix
  • Balanced liquid fertilizer
Symbolizes
  • Caution
  • Gratitude
  • Protection
  • Harmony
  • Thoughtfulness