Double Up Red Begonia (Begonia semperflorens 'Double Up Red')
bah-GO-nyah sem-per-FLOOR-enz 'Double Up Red'

Annual (usually grown as an annual near you) Upright, Compact, Globe-Shaped in the Begoniaceae Family
Fully double red blooms atop nearly black foliage — a dramatic wax begonia that never needs deadheading.

Double Up Red is a compact, globe-shaped wax begonia grown for its striking contrast: clusters of fully double, rose-like red flowers set against foliage so dark it reads almost black. Unlike many begonias that need shade, this cultivar tolerates full sun as readily as partial shade, and it blooms continuously from planting until frost without any deadheading. Dense and self-cleaning, it holds its tidy globe shape all season with minimal upkeep, making it a reliable choice for beds, borders, and containers alike.

Pros

  • Fully double, rose-like red flowers bloom non-stop from spring to frost
  • Self-cleaning — spent blooms drop on their own, no deadheading required
  • Tolerates full sun through partial shade, unusual for a begonia
  • Dark bronze-to-black foliage adds contrast even between flushes of bloom

Cons

  • Won't tolerate deep shade or drought for long despite its sun tolerance
  • Frost-tender annual in the Chicago area, replanted each year
  • Dense globe habit can hide leaf disease early on if air circulation is poor
This plant is probably not winter-hardy outdoors where you live.
Highlights

Full sun to partial shade tolerance in a wax begonia is rare — most demand shade. Combine that with near-black foliage and nonstop double red blooms, and Double Up Red works as a standout specimen or a mass planting that reads from a distance.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 6 - 18 inches tall. 8 - 12 inches wide.
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Dry - Medium
Zones 10a - 11b (Usually hardy to 30° F)
Tags Annual, Annual in Chicago, Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Pollinators, Attracts Wildlife, Colorful Foliage, Container, Deciduous, Dry, Edging, Extended Bloom Time, Filler, Full Sun, Good for Bedding, Good for Beginners, Good for Borders, Good for Mass Planting, Grown For Attractive Foliage, Low Maintenance, Medium, Normal Soil, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Potentially Toxic, Shade Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Tender Perennial, Well-Drained Soil
Bloom Period Spring - Fall
Flower Color Red
 

In The News

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Double Up White Begonia
 
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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2025 : 02/05 - 05/17
2024 : 02/08 - 05/18
2023 : 03/02 - 05/21

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!