I'Conia® Begonias
The begonia that broke the rules. Tougher, more sun-tolerant, and bred to bloom non-stop from May through hard frost — happiest with morning sun and afternoon shade.
The Story Behind the Series
A Begonia That Handles the Heat
For decades, begonias were known as the shade plant — pretty, but fragile. The minute the sun hit them, they melted. The minute the rain came, the petals shattered. Gardeners loved their color but hated babying them.
Then Dümmen Orange's breeders did something nobody thought was possible: they crossed the legendary tuberous begonia with a wax-leaf parent and produced a plant that handles morning sun with ease, shrugs off summer storms, and never stops blooming. They called the series I'Conia — and it changed what a begonia could be.
Today the I'Conia line is one of the most decorated annual introductions in the industry, picking up Best New Variety awards from GrowerTalks, Greenhouse Product News, and trial gardens across North America. We grow them at Schlegel Greenhouse because they perform — in Indiana's humidity, in morning sun, in containers that get forgotten on a hot porch.
Alongside I'Conia we also grow the Bacio series — a cousin in the same heat-tolerant family with softer, rose-form blooms in peach, white, and orange. Bacios share the same easy-care personality but bring a more romantic, garden-rose look to baskets and patio pots. Together they cover the full begonia color story, from electric coral to heirloom blush.
What Makes Them Different
Three Reasons to Grow I'Conia
Bigger flowers, tougher plants, longer season — without the fussy reputation begonias used to have.
Built for Morning Sun
Most begonias retreat to deep shade. I'Conia handles direct morning sun with ease — the wax-leaf parent gave them a thicker, glossier leaf that resists scorching. Important: they still need afternoon shade in Indiana. Direct 2–6 p.m. sun will burn the leaves and bleach the flowers.
Rain & Wind Resistant
Older begonia flowers shattered in a heavy rain. I'Conia petals are denser and the stems are stiffer — they hold up to summer storms and bounce back the next morning looking untouched. Hanging baskets stay full all season.
Self-Cleaning Bloomer
Spent flowers drop on their own. There's no deadheading, no picking, no fussing. Just water, feed lightly, and watch them bloom from Mother's Day weekend straight through October's first hard frost.
From Our Greenhouse
The I'Conia Look
Photographed at Schlegel Greenhouse this spring. Click any image to expand.
I'Conia Bachelorette Red
The Care Guide
How to Make I'Conia Thrive
They're tougher than old-school begonias, but a few small habits will keep them blooming all summer long.
Morning Sun, Afternoon Shade
Do NOT put I'Conia in full afternoon sun. Indiana's 2–6 p.m. sun is too intense — leaves will scorch and flowers will fade. The sweet spot is an east-facing porch or anywhere that gets bright morning light and shade by mid-afternoon. Filtered light all day also works beautifully.
Water Deeply, Then Let Dry
Begonias hate wet feet. Water thoroughly, then let the top inch of soil dry before watering again. In hot weather containers may need a daily check, but never leave them standing in saucers of water.
Feed Lightly Every Other Week
I'Conia is a moderate feeder — not a heavy one. A balanced 20-20-20 every 10–14 days at half-strength keeps them blooming without burning roots. Skip the bloom boosters; the plant blooms fine on its own.
No Deadheading Needed
Self-cleaning means spent flowers drop on their own. The only pruning you'll do is a light pinch back if a stem gets leggy mid-summer. Otherwise, just enjoy the show.
Grower's Note
We've grown I'Conia at Schlegel for years and they're one of the few begonias we'll put in a hanging basket on a sunny porch and trust them not to fail. If your mom has tried begonias before and given up — these are the ones that'll change her mind.
Ready for a begonia that actually works?
Find I'Conia at a local garden center this spring, or build a custom container with them in our designer.