Begonia vs Peony

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

Begonia

Begonia × semperflorens

Begoniaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Peony

Paeonia lactiflora

Paeoniaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Begonia (Zones 2-11)

Peony (Zones 3-8)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Begonia	Peony
Scientific Name	Begonia × semperflorens	Paeonia lactiflora
Family	Begoniaceae	Paeoniaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Well-drained
Height	1'	3'
Spread	1'	3'
Bloom Season	Spring-Fall	Late Spring
Bloom Color	Red, Pink, White	Pink, White, Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Slow
Native Region	South America	East Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Begonia

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Peony

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — 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.

Peony

✓Plant eyes (buds) no deeper than 2 inches below soil surface.
✓Provide support for heavy blooms.
✓Don't move established plants — they resent transplanting.

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 Peony if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–8.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View BegoniaProfile →View PeonyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Begonia and Peony grow in the same hardiness zone?

Begonia grows in USDA zones 2-11, while Peony grows in zones 3-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 8.

Do Begonia and Peony have the same sun and water needs?

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

Which grows taller, Begonia or Peony?

Peony grows taller at 3' compared to Begonia at 1'. Peony spreads 3' while Begonia spreads 1'.

Are Begonia and Peony deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Begonia or Peony?

Both Begonia and Peony 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	Peony
Scientific Name	Begonia × semperflorens	Paeonia lactiflora
Family	Begoniaceae	Paeoniaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Well-drained
Height	1'	3'
Spread	1'	3'
Bloom Season	Spring-Fall	Late Spring
Bloom Color	Red, Pink, White	Pink, White, Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Slow
Native Region	South America	East Asia
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.

Peony

✓Plant eyes (buds) no deeper than 2 inches below soil surface.
✓Provide support for heavy blooms.
✓Don't move established plants — they resent transplanting.

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 Peony if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–8.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Begonia and Peony grow in the same hardiness zone?

Begonia grows in USDA zones 2-11, while Peony grows in zones 3-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 8.

Do Begonia and Peony have the same sun and water needs?

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

Which grows taller, Begonia or Peony?

Peony grows taller at 3' compared to Begonia at 1'. Peony spreads 3' while Begonia spreads 1'.

Are Begonia and Peony deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Begonia or Peony?

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