Potted plants may be enjoyed indoors or outdoors. Potted plants require good lighting and only occasional watering. They are profuse flowerers. In warm conditions, Bolivian begonias produce drooping, rather than erect stems. This form is ideal for hanging basket plants and creates an attractive display.
Bolivian begonia seem to require some period of dormancy even in warm conditions.
The blue-red type may flower throughout winter given enough warmth. For garden and border use, plants can be placed into position once tubers have formed. In dry areas or conditions, irrigation is necessary for establishment and will also improve flowering performance although, once tubers are well developed, plants are reasonably tolerant to dry periods. In reasonably well drained fertile soils, plants will flower profusely until the first hard frosts. If the soil is well drained, tubers may be left in the ground permanently, to re-sprout in spring and flower all summer.