Tuberous Begonia

Begonia × tuberhybrida Voss

Family: Begoniaceae

Shade Tolerant

Pet & Human Safety

People: Toxic to people (low severity)Pets: Toxic to pets

Hazardous parts

roots (most toxic), sap

Preparation

None known to make it safe. Wear gloves when handling tubers or sap. If any part has been eaten, call your poison center.

Hazard type

Soluble calcium oxalates are the toxic principle; NC State rates poison severity low. If eaten, symptoms can include vomiting and drooling., Contact dermatitis: the sap can cause skin irritation.

Hazard route

ingestion, skin, sap

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

ASPCA's whole-genus begonia page lists soluble calcium oxalates as the toxic principle, with the underground parts most toxic. Signs listed are vomiting and drooling in dogs and cats, and kidney failure in grazing animals. NC State agrees it is a problem for dogs, cats and horses. Keep tubers and plants away from pets and call a vet or the ASPCA Poison Control line if a pet chews them.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA zones 9a-11b (NC State Extension). In colder zones the tubers are dug up and stored over winter.
Light: part shade to dappled shade; tolerates early-morning and late-afternoon sun
Water needs: moderate
Mature size: 1 to 1.5 ft tall and 1 to 2 ft wide (NC State Extension attribute list). Spacing: Plant tubers shallowly, concave side up, in groups of 3 to 4 per container or 12-18 inches apart in the ground (NC State Extension).
Where it comes from: The tuberous begonia group is native to the tropics of South America; NC State lists the region of origin for its Tuberous Types page as South Central and Southern Bolivia to Northwest Argentina. Most plants sold are hybrids (NC State Extension).

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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