Are begonias perennial or annual?

Begonias are frost-tender perennials. They grow and bloom year-round in USDA zones 9–11, but cannot survive freezing temperatures. In zones 3–8, they are treated as annuals — or the tubers are dug and stored over winter. Tuberous begonias are worth storing; wax begonias are gener

The answer depends on which begonia you're asking about and where you garden. With over 1,900 species in the genus Begonia, the range of cold hardiness and growth habits is wide. For the types most commonly sold at American garden centers — wax begonias (Begonia semperflorens-cultorum) and tuberous begonias (Begonia × tuberhybrida) — the practical answer in most of the US is annual.

Which begonia do you have?

The answer to "is it a perennial?" depends entirely on the type:

Wax begonias — Begonia semperflorens-cultorum

The most common bedding type. Compact plants, 6–12 inches tall, with glossy rounded leaves and small flowers in red, pink, or white. Sold in 6-packs at every garden center.

Per Missouri Botanical Garden, B. semperflorens is "perennial in frost-free areas" (zones 10–11 primarily). In zones 3–9, it is grown as an annual. It does not form a storage organ (tuber or rhizome) that can be dug and saved, making overwintering impractical for most gardeners.

The exception: Wax begonias can be dug and potted as container houseplants before frost and kept on a bright windowsill through winter. Per Clemson HGIC, "wax begonias may be dug before frost and grown as houseplants for the winter." This works, but the plants often become leggy without enough indoor light.

Tuberous begonias — Begonia × tuberhybrida

The showiest type — large flowers in orange, yellow, red, pink, and white, often with ruffled or camellia-like petals. Plants grow 12–18 inches tall from a tuber (a thickened underground stem).

Per University of Minnesota Extension, tuberous begonias are "tender perennials" that can be stored as dormant tubers through winter and replanted each spring. This is common practice and works well. The tubers are dug before frost, dried, stored in a cool dry location, and replanted after last frost the following year.

USDA hardiness: Per Missouri Botanical Garden, tuberous begonias are hardy in zones 9–11 in the ground. In zones 3–8, the tubers must be stored.

Hardy begonias — Begonia grandis

The exception to the frost-tender rule. Begonia grandis is hardy to zone 6 (some sources say zone 5 with protection). Per Missouri Botanical Garden, B. grandis is "the only cold-hardy begonia" and "may be grown in zones 6–9." It blooms in late summer with small pink flowers and dies back to the ground in fall, returning from the roots in spring.

If you want a begonia that reliably overwinters in zone 7, this is your plant.