When to Plant Begonias in Vermont
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.
Vermont spans USDA hardiness zones 4b, 5a, 5b (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 Vermont
▸ Zone 4b ~155 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: May 1 · First frost: October 3 · 155 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 13 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 8 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Bloom | July 17 | Jul 17 – Sep 25 |
▸ Zone 5a ~166 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: April 25 · First frost: October 8 · 166 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 14 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 2 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Bloom | July 11 | Jul 11 – Oct 3 |
▸ Zone 5b ~178 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: April 18 · First frost: October 13 · 178 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 7 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 25 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Bloom | July 4 | Jul 4 – Sep 26 |
Growing Tips for Vermont
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
- Arkansas
- 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
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Begonias in Vermont?
Planting dates for Begonias in Vermont depend on your USDA zone. Vermont spans zones 4b, 5a, 5b. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.
What zone is Vermont for planting?
Vermont contains USDA hardiness zones 4b, 5a, 5b. 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.