You can grow them in or out (in warmer months). I find they have time to grow in summer putting on size and vigor for less than perfect conditions in winter. Some are very choosy and will need a terrarium for increased humidity but most can do well in normal household conditions. Try it and see what they like and what you like.

The one plant you won't have a lot of success with indoors are the "wax begonias". They are usually sold as bedding plants and do very good in brighter light.

I'm suddenly enamored of them too :)

I bought a couple of them for mother's day container gardens for gifts & kept a beautiful blood red one for myself.

Any tips on the type of soil in a container these plants like?...I have mine outside in bright shade just to be safe.

It's still in the soil I bought it in, but the others I potted up in potting mix and perlite 1:1.

I'm thinking of planting some in the ground for the spring/summer, but worry about siting them.

Do they like full sun or shade?....Don't know why, but they strike me as shady plants. Here in NY, the wax type seem to do really well in full sun and can grow to huuuuge dense mounds, both tall & wide. They're so overdone though, I never really considered them for my yard.

I would not put them in full sun all day long. Acclimate them first and move them gradually to more and more sun. If they burn or wilt too much move them back to more shade. Do not let them go bone dry as that may put them on death's door. A little wilt is okay as they usually perk back up with a good drink of water. Too dry and the leaves won't come back - they will have to generate new ones. Anyway do some experimentation. I moved mine in a bad location this spring and had a lot of sunburn but most are putting out new leaves and dropping the old burned leaves. Nothing ventured, nothing gained or something like that.

Get a different variety of "wax begonias" like Big (yeah, that's the name) or Dragon Wings which are kind of waxy and will take full sun if kept watered. They are more outstanding than the run of the mill wax begonias. There is a variegated wax begonia as well named 'Charm'. There are double blooming wax begonias too.

Soil is up to you. It should be fast draining though. I used to amend with perlite but it kind of looks bad when it gets stained brown and often floats to the top. Go easy on adding it in. I use Miracle Gro potting soil as it seems chunky and is fast draining. I get the huge bags at Home Depot. DO NOT get the bags with moisture control - it stays too wet for begonias - it might be good for bog plants and Colocasias.

You can plant in the ground but what do you intend to do at the end of the season? Dig them up and bring them in or let them go as annuals? Will you have pots and soil ready when it is time to dig them up? You can also take cuttings but they root better when it is warm rather than chilled.