Last updated on May 20th, 2023 at 05:58 pm

The begonia flowers are members of the Begoniaceae family. More than 1500 species of these flowers predominantly grow in equatorial regions. Begonias are native flowers of Central American, African, Asian, and South American countries.

The petals of begonia flowers are smooth and thin. These flowers look beautiful and grow in many colors. You will find these flowers in single as well as double blooms. You can grow these flowers easily while keeping them in the shade. Begonias can be used to decorate the interior and exterior of your home.

A French botanist named Charles Plumier discovered the begonia in 1690 and named it after a Caribbean politician. The name means to repay or pay back a favor. The name also means danger. This is how it is linked to cautiousness even today.

What does the Begonia flower symbolize?

Begonia is a common flower, but it also implies things. If you know the begonia flower’s meaning and symbolism, you can express your feelings by gifting begonias to the people you love. 

Many people adore begonia. You will also benefit from knowing what a begonia says, as these flowers carry special meanings.

A begonia symbolizes affection and love, too; they speak the language of pleasure, longing, happiness, and desire. 

The begonia flower stands as a sign of caution for unseen dangers. They have also been seen as symbols of misfortune and bad luck. 

Interestingly, the symbolism of begonias is so diverse and contradicting as they also represent peace, gratitude, and harmony. It implies the desire for warm communication. 

All in all, the begonia flowers symbolic meanings are:

  • peaceful communication
  • remarkability and distinctness
  • negative thoughts
  • caution about misfortune
  • tranquility and righteousness
  • being grateful
  • being careful

Meaning of the Begonia flower colors

Red color

Red begonias mean ove, power, passion, romance, energy, and even rejection in a few countries. If you find someone attractive or love them, you can give them a red begonia. This flower will let the recipient know you find them appealing.

Yellow color

Yellow flowers mean joy, hope, wealth, happiness, and new beginnings. But what a yellow begonia means differently in different countries. In Africa, it symbolizes death, but in China, it stands for good luck.

White color

Purity, spirituality, and innocence; the color white has a positive meaning everywhere on earth. You can give white begonias to anyone you want.

Purple color

Purple begonias represent wisdom, nobility, spirituality, creativity, and royalty. You can give purple begonias to tell someone you respect them and they are important to you.

Blue color

A blue begonia stands for passion, artistry, and creativity. You can give these flowers to someone passionate and creative.

Golden color

You can give gold begonias to wish success to someone. Gold stands for satisfaction, wealth, and joy.

Pink color 

Like red, the pink color hints at romance and love, but subtly. Pink begonias are a good Valentine’s Day gift.

Interesting facts about the Begonia flower

  • Begonia flowers and leaves can be used as food items.
  • Begonia seed is about 1/100th of an inch and is one of the world’s smallest.
  • Begonia has medicinal uses like treating a common cold, sore throat, diabetes, minor cuts, and blood sugar.
  • There is a hybrid cultivar of Begonias called Kimjongilia in North Korea, named after Kim Jong II.
  • The leaves of begonias have varied shapes, forms, and appearances. They can be egg-shaped, heart-shaped, round, etc.
  • Begonia plants helped in polishing the blades of swords.
  • Begonia carries a secret message. It tells you to be wary and practical. Do be in a false sense of security. Always pay back if you owe something to another person. You will be drawing good Karma.

How to grow Begonia flowers

You can plant begonias outside only in May, when no further frosts are expected. Some Begonias grow only 5 to 6 cm tall, and some grow to 3 meters.

  1. Place the begonias in a spot with dappled sunlight to partial shade in peat-free multipurpose compost.
  2. Water frequently and feed once a week with a high potash fertilizer such as tomato feed.
  3. Dig up tuberous begonias in autumn and store the tubers in a cool, frost-free location for the winter.
  4. Bring fibrous-rooted varieties indoors for the winter, or treat them as annuals and compost them.

How to care for Begonia flowers

  1. Set up a regular watering routine for the begonias.
  2. Maintain moist but not wet or soggy soil. The plant needs water if the soil is dry to the touch. 
  3. Too much water can lead to root rot and the death of the begonia. To drain the extra water, water them over a sink or basin.
  4. Once a month, feed the plant a balanced houseplant fertilizer. Follow the instructions on the plant food label.
  5. Remove any fading or dead blooms from the plant and prune it. If you leave deadheads on the plant, it will expend energy trying to revive them rather than concentrate on keeping the rest of the plant healthy.
  6. Begonias prefer temperatures ranging from 65 to 72°F. They thrive in warmer, more humid climates.

Best time to gift Begonia flowers

Begonia flowers are not only well-known but are also very versatile. These flowers are suitable as gifts for many occasions. Whatever is being celebrated, you will never go wrong by gifting a bouquet of Begonias. It will be a perfect gift for days like Mother’s Day, Appreciation gifts, or because you want to make someone smile.

You can also send a pot of these flowers to someone if you want them to be careful about something and warn them that they need to watch out for something.

You can celebrate success with these flowers, renew a dying friendship or forge a new one by gifting begonias.

Conclusion

The begonia flower is vibrant, diverse, and symbolic, representing a wide range of emotions, including love, hope, and happiness, but it also has a darker connotation in literature. This flower is one-of-a-kind due to its distinct appearance.

This flower may not be as popular as roses or daisies, but begonia can make excellent gifts for any occasion. They are also simple to cultivate in the garden or propagate on a windowsill.

A begonia flower arrangement, regardless of color or species, is perfect for showing someone your love and care.

If you want to know and learn more about flowers, we at PansyMaiden can help you. Check out our fun, easy-to-read, and informative flower-related content that you will surely enjoy!