Begonias are a diverse and popular group of ornamental plants, prized for their vibrant, often asymmetrical foliage and prolific flowering habits. With thousands of species and cultivars, they offer options for nearly any indoor setting or shaded garden space. Successfully acquiring these plants requires understanding the different retail channels and knowing how to evaluate a plant’s health before purchase.
Diverse Retail Channels for Begonias
Local, independent nurseries often represent the best source for high-quality, locally acclimated begonia varieties. These retailers typically employ knowledgeable staff who offer specific care advice tailored to your regional climate and growing conditions. Although prices may be higher, the plants are usually well-maintained and sourced from reputable regional growers.
Big box stores and garden centers provide a convenient and more affordable option, especially for common varieties like fibrous-rooted wax begonias. Their high-volume stock is easily accessible, making them ideal for mass plantings or annual bedding. However, the selection is less specialized, and the plants may have received less focused care, sometimes leading to pest or watering issues.
Online retailers and specialty begonia growers offer unparalleled access to rare, unique, or newly hybridized cultivars. These shops, including smaller operations on platforms like Etsy, can ship established plants, cuttings, or rhizomes directly to your door. When purchasing online, factor in potential shipping stress and associated costs, which can be substantial for live plants.
Matching Begonia Type to Purchase Source
The physical form of the begonia influences the best place to make your purchase. Established, actively growing plants, such as potted fibrous-rooted and rhizomatous varieties, are best acquired from local nurseries or big box stores. Buying a fully leafed-out plant allows for immediate visual inspection of its overall health and structure.
Tuberous begonias are frequently sold as dormant, fleshy tubers during the late winter and early spring. These tubers are purchased online through specialty catalogs or from garden supply stores to be started indoors before the last frost. This format allows gardeners to access a wider range of large-flowered Begonia tuberhybrida types before they are available as established plants.
Cane begonias, including the popular Angel Wing types, are commonly sold as smaller potted plants, but they also propagate easily from cuttings. Specialized growers sell these as rooted cuttings, which are smaller, lighter to ship, and more cost-effective than mature specimens. This method is often the only way to obtain highly sought-after or collector varieties.
Essential Quality Checks Before Purchase
Regardless of the retail source, a thorough physical inspection of the begonia is necessary to ensure you are acquiring a healthy specimen. Examine the foliage for signs of common pests, such as the fine webbing characteristic of spider mites or the sticky residue left by aphids and mealybugs. Leaves should appear vibrant and firm, without yellowing or brown, crispy edges, which indicate poor watering practices or sun scorch.
Check the undersides of the leaves and the plant stems for fuzzy white patches or small, scale-like insects that signal a pest infestation. Look closely for fungal issues, such as powdery mildew, which presents as a white, dusty coating on the leaves and stems. A healthy plant should show even, robust growth without significant leaf drop.
If possible, gently lift the plant from its container to assess the root system. This practice is easier to perform at a local nursery than a big box store. The roots should appear light-colored, firm, and fill the pot without being excessively dense or circling (root-bound). Avoid plants with roots that are dark, mushy, or emit a foul odor, as these are signs of root rot.