- Light Requirement is Full Sun to Full Shade
- Height 12 - 16 Inches
- Width 12 - 16 Inches
- Use as a spiller when using in containers
- Brightens hanging baskets, containers, landscapes & indoor gardens!
- Growing Zones 9 - 11
Scarlet red flowers glow on red stems from dark green arrow-like leaves, cascading over the edge of the hanging basket or container garden. An unusual variant in the begonia family, Santa Cruz tolerates sun or shade, giving you the option to place it on the porch or the patio, or in your woodland edge landscape. Begonia boliviensis is an easy to care for annual for all your gardening needs.
Native to the Bolivian Andes, South/Central America, Africa and SE Asia, in Zones 9a through 11b it is a perennial, its elongated blossoms cascading like fireworks over the green foliage. In Zones 3-8 it is a one season annual, brightening hanging baskets, containers, landscapes and indoor gardens alike. Although it tolerates bright sunlight, too much can cause the foliage to fade. Afternoon shade in hot sun regions will provide the perfect environment for this plant.
Santa Cruz® Sunset Begonia Care
Take care to provide a consistent watering schedule, and water only when it appears dry. Soil should be well draining, and allow the plant to dry out somewhat but not too much between watering to prevent root rot. The top inch or so of the soil surface should feel dry. Feed with a fertilizer formulated just for begonias, with a 1:1:1 ratio of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium. Soil pH should be mildly acidic to neutral at 6.0 to 6.5 for best performance.
Deadheading is not necessary as spent blooms will drop off, but maintaining a soil that is clean of debris will help in reduction of disease and insect infestation. Prune back rangy stems that overstep their bounds and remove all yellowed or dead leaves to prevent the spread of diseases. Aphids can be a common pest for begonias so use a systemic insecticide or apply an insecticidal soap at the first sign of infestation.
Santa Cruz® Sunset Begonia Spacing
Spacing for this begonia is important as it reaches 12 to 16 inches tall and spreads 12 to 16 inches wide. It does well with a plant spacing of 12 to 16 inches, so in a hanging basket it may be the only occupant. It cascades beautifully so that you won’t miss the other companions. Companion planting in larger containers, however, can be done with other annuals like petunia, calibrachoa, sutera, lysimachia, ipomoea and solenostemon with spectacular results.
Santa Cruz® Sunset Begonia Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 9-11 |
Flower Color(s): Scarlet-Orange, Red |
Bloom Period: Planting To Frost |
Foliage Color(s) Green |
Light Exposure: Full Sun to Full Shade |
Height Class: Medium |
Height: 12 - 16 Inches |
Spread: 12 - 16 Inches |
Spacing: 12 - 16 Inches |
Habit: Trailing |
Watering: Average |
Drought Tolerant: No |
Container Role: Spiller |
Use Types: Container |
Features: |
Maintenance: Easy |
Scientific Name: Begonia boliviensis 'Santa Cruz' |
Common Name: Santa Cruz® Sunset Begonia |
Other Name(s): |
Plant Type: Annual |
Brand: Proven Selections |
- SKU:
- BEGSCP
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
For more detailed information, please click here.
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Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)

Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations
Plant Shipping
Time of Order:
Summer Shipping
- If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.
- We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.
It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.