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When to Plant Begonias in Louisiana

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.

Louisiana spans USDA hardiness zones 8b, 9a, 9b (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.

Find Your County

Click your county for exact Begonias planting dates based on your local frost dates.

Begonias Planting Calendar for Louisiana

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
Zone 9a ~303 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: February 10 · First frost: December 10 · 303 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 2 Dec 2 – Dec 16
Transplant Outdoors January 20 Jan 20 – Feb 3
Bloom March 31 Mar 31 – Sep 29
Zone 9b ~329 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: January 25 · First frost: December 20 · 329 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors November 16 Nov 16 – Nov 30
Transplant Outdoors December 28 Dec 28 – Jan 11
Bloom March 8 Mar 8 – Sep 20

Growing Tips for Louisiana

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Begonias in Louisiana?

Planting dates for Begonias in Louisiana depend on your USDA zone. Louisiana spans zones 8b, 9a, 9b. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.

What zone is Louisiana for planting?

Louisiana contains USDA hardiness zones 8b, 9a, 9b. 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.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Last updated: July 2026.