Begonia vs Black-Eyed Susan

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Begonia

Begonia × semperflorens

Begoniaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Black-Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Asteraceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Begonia (Zones 2-11)

Black-Eyed Susan (Zones 3-9)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Begonia	Black-Eyed Susan
Scientific Name	Begonia × semperflorens	Rudbeckia hirta
Family	Begoniaceae	Asteraceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained
Height	1'	3'
Spread	1'	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Spring-Fall	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Red, Pink, White	Yellow
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	South America	Eastern North America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Begonia

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Black-Eyed Susan

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Begonia

✓Pinch tips for bushy growth.
✓Keep soil moist but not waterlogged.
✓Bring indoors before frost.
✓Tuberous types need winter dormancy.
✓Rex begonias grown for stunning foliage.

Black-Eyed Susan

✓Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming.
✓Divide clumps every 3-4 years.
✓Tolerates poor soil and drought once established.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Begonia if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade with medium water in zones 2–11.

Choose Black-Eyed Susan if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View BegoniaProfile →View Black-Eyed SusanProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Begonia and Black-Eyed Susan grow in the same hardiness zone?

Begonia grows in USDA zones 2-11, while Black-Eyed Susan grows in zones 3-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 9.

Do Begonia and Black-Eyed Susan have the same sun and water needs?

Begonia needs part shade and medium water, while Black-Eyed Susan needs full sun and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Begonia or Black-Eyed Susan?

Black-Eyed Susan grows taller at 3' compared to Begonia at 1'. Black-Eyed Susan spreads 1' 6" while Begonia spreads 1'.

Are Begonia and Black-Eyed Susan deer resistant?

Yes, both Begonia and Black-Eyed Susan are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Begonia or Black-Eyed Susan?

Both Begonia and Black-Eyed Susan have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Begonia	Black-Eyed Susan
Scientific Name	Begonia × semperflorens	Rudbeckia hirta
Family	Begoniaceae	Asteraceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained
Height	1'	3'
Spread	1'	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Spring-Fall	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Red, Pink, White	Yellow
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	South America	Eastern North America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Begonia

✓Pinch tips for bushy growth.
✓Keep soil moist but not waterlogged.
✓Bring indoors before frost.
✓Tuberous types need winter dormancy.
✓Rex begonias grown for stunning foliage.

Black-Eyed Susan

✓Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming.
✓Divide clumps every 3-4 years.
✓Tolerates poor soil and drought once established.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Begonia if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade with medium water in zones 2–11.

Choose Black-Eyed Susan if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Begonia and Black-Eyed Susan grow in the same hardiness zone?

Begonia grows in USDA zones 2-11, while Black-Eyed Susan grows in zones 3-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 9.

Do Begonia and Black-Eyed Susan have the same sun and water needs?

Begonia needs part shade and medium water, while Black-Eyed Susan needs full sun and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Begonia or Black-Eyed Susan?

Black-Eyed Susan grows taller at 3' compared to Begonia at 1'. Black-Eyed Susan spreads 1' 6" while Begonia spreads 1'.

Are Begonia and Black-Eyed Susan deer resistant?

Yes, both Begonia and Black-Eyed Susan are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Begonia or Black-Eyed Susan?

Both Begonia and Black-Eyed Susan have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.