How to Grow Begonia Grandis Plants in your Garden

Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing Hardy Begonia / Beefsteak Plant

Clump forming Shade Plant that looks great when massed

This Begonia is often grown by gardeners as it is able to overwinter better than most other species of this plant genus.

Hardy Begonia Growing guide
Begonia grandis plant by Esin Üstün; photograph under creative commons license.

This is a great plant to grow in shaded areas, It carries delicate flowers of pink in the summer and early fall / autumn. It is the most hardy Begonia and looks great in a woodland garden or even in a container garden.

How to Grow Begonia grandis in the Garden

Video Tips on How to Grow Begonia grandis

Plant Growing and Gardening Care Guide

Scientific name: Begonia grandis (Syn. Begonia discolor; Begonia evansiana)
Common Name: Hardy Begonia, Beefsteak Plant
Growing Zone in the USA (Hardiness in the UK): 6 to 7 (H2)
Life Cycle / Plant Type: Perrenial

Plant Details

Plant Height: 18 to 24 Inches / 45 to 60 cm. Takes about five years to reach full height
Plant Spread: 18 to 24 Inches / 45 to 60 cm
Time of Bloom: Late summer
Flower Details: Pale pink or white. Clusters.
Leaf Foliage: Olive green. Obliquely ovate.

Ideal Growing Conditions

Best Light Conditions: Partial shade, copes with full shade
Suitable Soil Types: Loam, Sand, humus rich, neutral to acidic pH
Ideal Soil Soil Moisture: Well drained

Caring Conditions

Level of Maintenance: Medium
Propagation: Start tubers Spring at 18°C (64°F). Plant Hollow side up about 1 inch (2.5 cm apart). Pot out when leaves show. Creates small bulblets that allows it to self propagates. Can also self-seed.
How to Prune: Deadhead
Pests: No major pests. Caterpillars, mealy bugs, thrips, and aphids.
Diseases: None major. Powedery mildew.

Further Information

Attracts: Some butterflies
Tolerant of: Shaded areas
Best used in: Shade Garden, Woodland, Cottage, Patio or containers
Miscellaneous: The most winter hardy of the Begonia's. Dead head to extend bloooms. Native of southern China.
Genus Detail: Begoniaceae Family Begonia
Closely related Species: Begonia semperflorens and Begonia tuberhybrida

Gardening Resources and tips on growing Begonia grandis

1) DC Tropics

2) Carolyn's Shade Gardens

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Begonia grandis. You may also enjoy the following growing guides on Lysimachia and Aralia elata plants.