Begonia plants are adored everywhere in the world, and it is one of the most easily available plants on the market.
Begonia is a perennial flower plant that is known for its color varieties, It comes in a lot of different colors that can be placed anywhere in the garden to provide an astonishing view.
You can have it in a hanging basket or at the center of your garden. Begonia plants have more than 1,000 varieties, which come in different shapes, sizes, and vibrant colors.
Begonia does well alongside many other plants, and tuberous is one of the most popular types of begonias, Other kinds of begonias include cone and rhizomatous begonias.
Begonia, with its multi-colored leaves, is a shade-loving plant that prefers moist soil for healthy growth, and it can be grown both indoors and outdoors.
In this article, we will learn about good companion plants of Begonias and what plants to avoid planting alongside them, along with the growing requirements and pest risks of begonias.
Why Does Begonia Need Companion Plants?
Begonia are versatile plants that prefer good, moist soil and some shade to grow and thrive.
Planting good companion plants of begonia beside them will benefit the entire garden bed. Plants like Impatiens are good companion plants of begonia, and if you plant them together, they will grow better as they both require some growing conditions.
Begonia and Impatiens both love good, moist soil with good drainage; hence will get along well together.
If you have a shady area in your garden, you can plant torenia with begonia. Begonia needs shade, and so does torenia. This companion planting will increase the productivity of the plants while making full use of the shady spot in the garden.
Begonia needs companion plants as good neighbors also add beauty and vibrancy to the surroundings. Being a flowering plant, it is very important for begonia to have different complementing plants around to increase the beauty of the garden bed.
6 Best Begonia Companion Plants
Now we know why begonia needs companion planting. Let us know about some of the best companion plants of begonia, which will increase the overall productivity and vibrancy of the garden bed.
1. Impatiens
Begonia and Impatiens are very good friends and they get along very well basically because of their similar growing needs. Impatiens require very little maintenance.
Impatiens complement begonia flower plants, Impatiens produce flowers in red color or in white, yellow, violet, and even purple flowers, which gives you the liberty to choose any variety of begonia plants to match the impatiens.
Impatiens and begonia have similar growing needs; they both need shade to grow, as too much scorching sun will wilt them. They both need well moist soil with good draining qualities to thrive hence, planting them together will create a good blossom garden bed.
2. Torenia
Wishbone flowers, commonly known as torenia, are another good neighbor of begonia plants. Planting them together will create a visual beauty like no other.
Torenia is an annual plant that blooms pink, blue, and white flowers which have a unique yellow marking on them. Torenia will be an absolutely beautiful addition to your garden, which will be in contrast with the begonia varieties.
Both these plants require moist soil conditions and shade to grow healthy and produce beautiful flowers.
3. Caladium
Popularly known as Elephant Ear plants, caladium bulbs are an absolute beauty and a showstopper in any garden.
Caladium is also a very good partner for begonia plants. Caladium has broad leaves, and this plant can grow up to two to three feet tall when fully grown.
Cladium produces big leaves that have shades of pink, red, and green, which creates a breathtaking view for any tropical garden.
Begonia needs well-moist soil and shade to grow well and healthy, which is also the case with caladium; these growing needs add to why they should be planted nearby.
4. Coleus
A very easy-to-grow plant, Coleus makes it to the list of good companion plants of begonia. Both these plants have similar growing needs, and they both complement each other very well.
Coleus is a plant that is easy to propagate and take care of. Begonia and Coleus have the very same growing needs. They both look for shade and moist soil.
Coleus is a bushy plant that can do well in sunny conditions, too, which presents you the opportunity to plant coleus besides begonia, where there is a little sunny spot, benefiting everyone all around.
Coleus can be planted on the borders of the begonias in the garden bed, which will provide a brilliant shade of colors.
5. Boston Fern
It is almost impossible for a gardener or any plant lover to have not known or seen a fern plant. Boston Fern is mostly used in houseplants and indoor gardens, but it will look perfect outdoors beside begonias.
Boston Fern provides a good background texture when planted around begonias. The green stems of ferns tend to bring out the best of begonia varieties.
Like every other good companion plant of begonia, Boston ferns also have similar growing requirements, as both of them need moist soil with good drainage qualities.
6. Fiber Optic Grass
Another good companion of begonia plants is fiber optic grass. Weird name, isn’t it? The name is given to this plant because of the shape it holds. It looks very similar to fiber optic cables.
Both these plants make a good team because they have similar growing needs; both like moist soil and shade to do better.
Fiber optic grass has a very greenish appearance and produces white toppings of tiny flowers, creating a gorgeous look when planted next to begonias.
Worst Companion Plants for Begonia
Apart from good companion plants of begonia, there are some plants that should be avoided planting near them as they can stunt both their growth.
1. Sun Loving Plants
Begonia is a shade-loving plant that needs a moist environment for healthy growth. You should avoid the plantation of sun-loving plants alongside begonias.
Plants like peonies coneflowers, if planted near begonias, will either stunt their growth or hamper the growth of other plants.
2. Drought Tolerant Plants
You should also not plant any drought-tolerant plants near begonias. Plants like black-eyed susans or sage next to begonias as they won’t like the moist soil conditions and will develop root rot.
What are Begonia’s Growing Requirements?
We are now aware of the plants that can be planted near begonias and the plants that should be avoided growing near begonias.
Now, to grow begonias, you should know its growing requirements and needs to keep it glowing.
Below are some basic growing requirements of begonias.
1. Light Requirements
Different begonias have different sunlight requirements. Tuberous begonias need a little bit of sunlight, whereas indoors, begonias do best in indirect light.
Fibrous or wax begonias require a bit of shade or partial shade. Prevent them from a lot of sun, which can result in wilting of begonias.
2. Soil Requirements
Begonias need good, moist soil that is rich in nutrients and slightly acidic in nature. The soil should have a good drainage. Otherwise, it can cause root rot.
3. Water Requirements
Begonia needs watering once every week, and do not water again until you see the top half inch of the soil dry. Do not overwater the plant, which can ultimately cause root rot.
Grass Diseases and Pests
Begonia, being in the shade and moist condition, is prone to some diseases that affect the overall health of the begonia plants.
Let us see some of the common diseases and pests that can affect begonia plants and your garden overall.
1. Leaf Spot
If you see dark brown spots on your leaves, it means your begonia is now affected by leaf spots. These dark brown spots are also known as water-soaked leaves.
This leaf spot can also lead to the death of the plant. This can spread from plant to plant, and there is basically no cure for this infection.
You can try and prevent the infection by separating and cutting off the infected sections of the plant.
2. Powdery Mildew
A fungal infection named powdery mildew is also very fatal to the plant. Powdery mildew affects the leaves and stems of the plant, eventually spreading the infections to the flowers.
If detected early, the plant can be saved, or else, this infection can be fatal and will kill the plant.
You can cure powdery mildew with the help of a fungicide. Begonia is a very sensitive plant, and make sure the fungicide you are using is made for plants like begonias.
3. Red Spider Mites
A very common pest that infects begonia plants is a red spider mite. They infest the plants with a spider web-like creation on the plants.
This will make the plant leaves fall just after it has turned yellow. It is usually seen at the back of the leaves, and spraying soapy water or neem oil will eliminate these pests.
4. Greenhouse Aphids
Aphids are generally very irritating, and greenhouse aphids feed on the sap of the plant. They spread very quickly and affect the plant’s stems and leaves, causing it to die.
If your begonia plant’s leaves are turning yellow and getting twisted, then it is affected by aphids, which will eventually result in leaves falling off the plant.
When you see these aphids attacking the plant, treat them with insecticides, or it will be hard for you to control them as they are fast spreaders.
Conclusion
If you are a garden lover, you would definitely want a Begonia plant in your garden. There are some good companion plants that help the begonia and the entire garden to grow healthy and thrive, as there are some plants that you should avoid planting around the begonia.
This article will act as a guide and help you grow begonia plants, take care of the growing requirements mentioned above, and prevent the diseases and pests begonia plants are at risk of to have a healthy and vibrant garden.