When to Plant Begonias in Arkansas
Wax begonias (Begonia × semperflorens) are the workhorse shade bedding plant of American horticulture, offering continuous bloom from transplant to hard frost. Bronze or green-leaved varieties perform well from deep shade to full sun (in northern zones) and tolerate summer humidity better than most cool- season flowers. A staple of mass plantings, containers, and window boxes.
Arkansas spans USDA hardiness zones 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.
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Click your county for exact Begonias planting dates based on your local frost dates.
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Begonias Planting Calendar for Arkansas
▸ Zone 7a ~221 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: March 25 · First frost: November 1 · 221 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | January 14 | Jan 14 – Jan 28 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Bloom | June 3 | Jun 3 – Sep 23 |
▸ Zone 7b ~235 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: March 18 · First frost: November 8 · 235 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | January 7 | Jan 7 – Jan 21 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 18 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Bloom | May 27 | May 27 – Sep 30 |
▸ Zone 8a ~255 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: March 8 · First frost: November 18 · 255 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | December 28 | Dec 28 – Jan 11 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 1 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Bloom | May 10 | May 10 – Sep 27 |
▸ Zone 8b ~276 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: February 25 · First frost: November 28 · 276 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | December 17 | Dec 17 – Dec 31 |
| Transplant Outdoors | February 11 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Bloom | April 22 | Apr 22 – Sep 23 |
Growing Tips for Arkansas
Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before last frost — seed is dust-fine; surface-sow on moist mix under lights, do not cover. Bottom heat (70–75°F) speeds germination. Transplant after frost; begonias are not direct-sown in practice. Pinch seedlings once for branching. Keep soil evenly moist; avoid waterlogged conditions. Bronze-leaf types tolerate more sun; green- leaf types prefer shade to part-sun.
Begonias in Other States
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Begonias in Arkansas?
Planting dates for Begonias in Arkansas depend on your USDA zone. Arkansas spans zones 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.
What zone is Arkansas for planting?
Arkansas contains USDA hardiness zones 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.