Greetings from the world of Begonias. We are a vast and diverse genus, and our light requirements are not a simple one-size-fits-all answer. To truly thrive with us, you must understand that our needs vary significantly across different species. However, we can provide a detailed guide to help you find the perfect spot for our various forms in your home or garden.
For the majority of us, particularly the popular fibrous and rhizomatous types like Rex and Angel Wing Begonias, the ideal condition is bright, indirect light. This means a location where we can see the sky but are protected from the harsh, direct rays of the midday sun. Think of the dappled light found on a forest floor—this is our natural habitat. A north or east-facing window is often perfect. Direct sun, especially through a hot south or west window, can easily scorch our delicate leaves, causing brown, crispy patches and faded color.
We Tuberous Begonias, prized for our spectacular, rose-like blooms, have a slightly higher tolerance for direct sunlight. To produce our abundant flowers, we require more energy. We perform best with a few hours of gentle morning sun, which is less intense, followed by bright indirect light or light shade for the remainder of the day. This direct morning exposure fuels our flowering process without the leaf-scorching intensity of the afternoon. Afternoon shade is absolutely critical for our survival.
Among our family, we Wax Begonias are the most adaptable to sunnier conditions. We are often used as bedding plants for our ability to handle more direct light. We can thrive in full sun to part shade, though in very hot climates, we deeply appreciate afternoon shade to prevent stress and conserve moisture. Our thicker, waxier leaves are better equipped to handle stronger light without burning. The more sun we receive, the more compact our growth and the more profuse our flowering, though our leaf color may be more green than bronze.
We will communicate our discomfort through our foliage. Please learn to read our signs. If we are receiving too much sun, our leaves may develop brown, dry, scorched patches, look faded or washed out, or curl at the edges to reduce exposure. If we are in too much shade, we will tell you by becoming leggy and stretched as we reach for a light source, producing very few or no flowers, and displaying less vibrant leaf coloration. Adjust our position accordingly if you see these signals.
