When to Plant Begonias in USDA Zone 5b
Zone 5b gardeners: here's your June plan
A quick June briefing for Zone 5b gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.
To set up a strong July, finish these tasks
- Starting indoors: begonias
- 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 5b, the average last spring frost is around April 18 and the first fall frost is around October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 178 days.
Begonias Planting Timeline — Zone 5b
Where Is USDA Zone 5b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 5b. Click any state to see the Begonias planting schedule for that location.
Begonias Planting Calendar — Zone 5b
| 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 |
· 8" apart · Rows 10" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | — |
| April | Transplant Outdoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors |
| June | — |
| July | Bloom |
| August | Bloom |
| September | Bloom |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 5b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 5b 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
-15°F to -10°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
178 days (Zone 5b average)
Planting Specifications
| Plant Spacing | 8 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 10 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Begonias in Zone 5b
Sow every 8 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Begonias in Zone 5b
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
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
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 5b?
In Zone 5b, plan your Begonias planting around the average last frost date of April 18. Start seeds indoors around February 7. Transplant seedlings around April 25.
Can Begonias grow in Zone 5b?
Yes, Begonias can grow well in Zone 5b, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 5b has a growing season of approximately 178 days, which is sufficient for Begonias (70-90 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Begonias in Zone 5b?
In Zone 5b, expect to harvest Begonias from July 4 – September 26. Begonias takes 70-90 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 5b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 5b is around April 18, and the first fall frost is around October 13. This gives a growing season of approximately 178 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 5b Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner tailored to Zone 5b. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.