How to Grow Begonia 'Cream Colored'

Begonia 'Cream Colored'

Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum 'Cream Colored'

flower

A tender perennial bedding begonia with delicate cream or pale yellow flowers and glossy green foliage. Known for continuous blooming throughout the growing season, it thrives in partial shade and is commonly grown as an annual in most climates. This compact variety reaches 8-12 inches tall and makes excellent container, border, or landscape plantings.

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Example Begonia 'Cream Colored' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Begonia 'Cream Colored'
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
First Begonia 'Cream Colored' blooms
Around May 17

≈ 30 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Begonia 'Cream Colored' dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Partial shade, 2-4 hours of indirect sunlight daily; tolerates dappled shade well

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Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water when top inch of soil is dry. Reduce watering in cooler months. Begonias prefer humidity; mist foliage occasionally but avoid wetting flowers.

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Spacing: 8 inches

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Days to maturity: 30-40 days from transplant to first flowers

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Planting depth: Surface sow seeds; plant transplants at same depth as original nursery pot

Soil

Type: Well-draining, moisture-retentive loamy soil

pH: 6.0-6.5

Amendments:

Peat moss or coconut coir Perlite or vermiculite Compost

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Zones 9-11 as a perennial; Zones 3-8 as an annual

9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

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Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny seedlings emerge with two small seed leaves (cotyledons) and begin developing true leaves within 2-3 weeks. Very delicate at this stage.

Provide bright, indirect light (not direct sun). Maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging. Keep soil temperature around 70-75°F. Use a spray bottle to mist rather than water directly.

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Plant develops multiple stems with glossy, waxy green leaves. Compact, bushy growth pattern forms. Roots establish well and plant becomes more robust.

Provide partial shade, 2-4 hours indirect light. Continue regular watering. Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with diluted balanced fertilizer (10-10-10). Pinch back tips if leggy growth occurs.

Bud Formation & Early Flowering

2-3 weeks

Small flower buds appear in clusters at branch tips. First delicate cream-colored flowers begin to open. Plant maintains vegetative growth alongside flowering.

Maintain consistent watering and humidity. Continue light fertilizing (switch to slightly higher phosphorus: 5-10-10). Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Monitor for powdery mildew in humid conditions.

Full Flowering & Production

8-16 weeks or until frost

Continuous prolific blooms throughout growing season. Plant reaches mature size (8-12 inches) with abundant cream flowers against dark green foliage. Very ornamental appearance.

Deadhead regularly to maintain blooming. Water consistently; avoid letting soil dry out completely. Fertilize every 2-3 weeks. In containers, check moisture daily as pots dry faster. Remove any yellowing leaves.

End of Season

Varies by region

Flowering slows as temperatures drop below 60°F. Foliage may yellow. Plant senesces as it reaches the end of its annual cycle (in cold climates).

Reduce watering slightly. Stop fertilizing. In zones 9+, move container plants indoors or to protected location to overwinter. In cold climates, this marks the end of the season; collect seeds if desired before first frost.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Impatiens Coleus Hostas Ferns Astilbe Caladiums Ivy Torenia

Avoid planting near:

Aggressive spreading plants like mint Plants requiring full sun and dry conditions Allelopathic plants like black walnut

Common Pests

Improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, reduce humidity. Spray with sulfur or neem oil if needed. Remove affected leaves.
Increase humidity and mist regularly. Spray with water to dislodge. Use miticide or insecticidal soap if severe. Isolate infested plants.
Inspect regularly, especially leaf axils. Remove with cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Use yellow sticky traps. Spray undersides of leaves with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Increase air circulation.
Let soil surface dry between waterings. Use mosquito dunks (Bti) or sand layer on soil surface. Yellow sticky traps for adults.

Uses

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Edible Flowers

Culinary

Begonia flowers are edible with a slightly tart, citrusy flavor. They can garnish salads, desserts, and beverages, adding visual appeal and delicate flavor. Always ensure the plant has not been treated with pesticides if intended for consumption. [source]

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Ornamental Garden & Container Display

Household

The primary use—continuous cream-colored blooms make this begonia ideal for shaded beds, borders, containers, hanging baskets, and tropical-style gardens. It brightens shaded areas where many plants won't bloom. [source]

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Traditional Herbal Uses

Medicinal

In traditional medicine, begonia species have been used to address inflammation and wounds, though scientific evidence is limited. The plant contains oxalates, so internal use should be avoided. [source]

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Flower Pressing & Dried Arrangements

Craft

Delicate begonia flowers can be pressed for botanical crafts, scrapbooking, or herbarium work. They retain color reasonably well when dried carefully. [source]

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Pollinator Support

Wildlife

The continuous flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects throughout the growing season, supporting local pollinator populations. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Begonias are ornamental flowers; not typically 'harvested' for food. For cut flowers, pick stems in early morning when fully hydrated. Use sharp scissors and take 4-6 inch stems with several flowers. Place immediately in clean water with flower food. Deadhead spent flowers regularly (pinch off spent blooms) to encourage continuous flowering throughout the season.

Fun Facts

🌱 Begonias are named after Michel Bégon, a French colonial administrator and plant patron. The genus was formally established by Linnaeus in 1753.
🌱 The wax begonia (Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum group, which includes 'Cream Colored') was one of the first plants mass-produced as a commercial bedding plant in Victorian greenhouses during the 1800s.
🌱 Begonias have asymmetrical leaves and unisexual flowers (male and female flowers on the same plant), making them botanically distinctive among ornamental plants.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Annual Deadhead Partial Shade Perennial pH Pinch Back True Leaves

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