When to Plant Begonias in USDA Zone 10a
Top priorities for Zone 10a gardeners in June
Here's what deserves your attention in Zone 10a this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 10a and timed around your local frost dates.
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Bring in the begonias
Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.
Looking ahead to July
- First harvests: begonias
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.
In Zone 10a, the average last spring frost is around January 1 and the first fall frost is around December 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 364 days.
Begonias Planting Timeline — Zone 10a
Where Is USDA Zone 10a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 10a. Click any state to see the Begonias planting schedule for that location.
Begonias Planting Calendar — Zone 10a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | October 23 | Oct 23 – Nov 6 |
| Transplant Outdoors | November 20 | Nov 20 – Dec 4 |
| Bloom | January 29 | Jan 29 – Aug 27 |
· 10" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Bloom |
| February | Bloom |
| March | Bloom |
| April | Bloom |
| May | Bloom |
| June | Bloom |
| July | Bloom |
| August | Bloom |
| September | — |
| October | Start Indoors |
| November | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors |
| December | Transplant Outdoors |
Free Zone 10a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 10a with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
70–90 days
Soil pH
5.5 – 6.5
Zone Temperature Range
30°F to 35°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
365 days (Zone 10a average)
Planting Specifications
| Plant Spacing | 10 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 12 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Begonias in Zone 10a
Sow every 8 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Begonias in Zone 10a
Zone 10a offers a long growing season (~365 days). You can plant Begonias earlier and may get multiple harvests.
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.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
The pairings that make vegetables, herbs, and flowers grow better — and the ones that quietly wreck a bed.
- Proven pairings for 200+ vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits
- Full seed-starting + planting schedule with timing and spacing
- Bonus: square-foot gardening guide + printable seasonal planners
Saving Begonias Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Reduce heat stress and sun scorch in hot climates with UV-stabilized shade cloth.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Related Plants
Begonias in Other Zones
Begonias by State
- 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
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Begonias in Zone 10a?
In Zone 10a, plan your Begonias planting around the average last frost date of January 1. Start seeds indoors around October 23. Transplant seedlings around November 20.
Can Begonias grow in Zone 10a?
Yes, Begonias can grow well in Zone 10a, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 10a has a growing season of approximately 364 days, which is sufficient for Begonias (70-90 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Begonias in Zone 10a?
In Zone 10a, expect to harvest Begonias from January 29 – August 27. Begonias takes 70-90 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 10a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 10a is around January 1, and the first fall frost is around December 31. This gives a growing season of approximately 364 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Begonias?
Good companion plants for Begonias include Impatiens, Lobelia, Sweet Alyssum, Ferns. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Zone 10a Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner tailored to Zone 10a. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.