Camellia.

At a glance

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Shrub

Light

Partial shade to dappled sunlight

Indoor light

bright-indirect

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

Can grow up to 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide

Growth rate

medium

Hardiness

USDA 7 to 10

Bloom time

Late winter to spring

Care

Provide acidic, well-draining soil and protection from harsh afternoon sun. Water consistently, especially during dry spells, and avoid waterlogged conditions. Prune lightly after flowering to shape and remove dead or crossing branches.

Watering

Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy; reduce watering in winter.

Feeding

Feed with an acidic fertilizer in spring after flowering.

Pruning

Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape and remove spent blooms or damaged growth.

Repotting

Repot when root-bound, typically every 2-3 years, using a well-draining, acidic potting mix.

Soil

Acidic, well-draining, loamy soil

Soil pH

4.5 - 6.5

Temperature

-9.4 to 29.4°C

Humidity

50 to 70%

Safety

People

Ingestion of camellia parts may cause mild stomach upset.

Pets

Mildly toxic to pets if ingested, causing vomiting or diarrhea.

Children

While not highly toxic, ingestion of plant parts by young children should be avoided to prevent any potential gastrointestinal upset.

Contact allergens

No significant contact allergens are typically associated with camellias.

Airborne allergens

Pollen from camellias can cause seasonal allergies in sensitive individuals.

Edibility

This plant is not intended for consumption.

How to identify it

• Glossy, dark green leaves
• Large, often double flowers
• Shrub or small tree form
• Blooms in late winter to spring
• Evergreen foliage

Height

1.8 to 4.5m

Spread

0.9 to 3m

Leaves

Green, Dark Green, evergreen

Flowers

Red, Pink, White, Variegated, 5 to 12.7cm

Common problems

• Scale insects — Small, immobile insects that attach to stems and leaves, feeding on plant sap and leaving behind sticky honeydew.
• Aphids — Tiny, soft-bodied insects that cluster on new growth, sucking sap and potentially spreading viruses.
• Petal blight — A fungal disease that causes brown spots and wilting of petals, often appearing as the flowers open.
• Yellowing leaves (chlorosis) — Leaves turn yellow while veins remain green, usually due to alkaline soil or nutrient deficiencies, especially iron.

Growing it

Propagation

Cuttings, Grafting

When to plant

Spring, Fall

Plant camellias with other acid-loving, shade-tolerant plants like azaleas, rhododendrons, ferns, and hostas for a beautiful woodland garden effect.

Grows well with

• Azaleas — Azaleas share similar growing conditions, preferring acidic, well-drained soil and partial shade, making them excellent companions.
• Rhododendrons — Like azaleas, rhododendrons are well-suited to the same acidic, moist, and shaded environments camellias prefer.
• Hostas — Hostas add lush foliage contrast and thrive in the shady, moist conditions that camellias often inhabit.
• Ferns — Many ferns are native to woodland understories and appreciate the same dappled light and consistently moist soil as camellias.

Keep away from

• Alkaline-loving plants — Plants that prefer alkaline or neutral soils will not thrive in the acidic conditions camellias require, leading to poor growth and health for both.
• Drought-tolerant plants — Camellias need consistent moisture and do not tolerate drought well, so pairing them with plants that prefer dry conditions is not ideal.

Similar species

• Tea Plant — This species is closely related and shares a similar growth habit and cultural needs, though its flowers are often less showy and it's primarily grown for its leaves.
• Mountain Laurel — Mountain Laurel is another popular native shrub that thrives in similar acidic, woodland conditions and offers beautiful spring blooms, though its flower structure is distinct.
• Pieris — Pieris, also known as Andromeda, is an evergreen shrub with similar cultural requirements (acidic soil, partial shade) and attractive drooping flower clusters.

Science

Family

Theaceae

Genus

Camellia

Order

Ericales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Eastern Asia, including China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.

Conservation

Most camellia species are not of conservation concern, but some wild varieties may be threatened by habitat loss.

In their native habitats, camellias often grow in understories of forests, benefiting from moist, well-drained soils and protection from harsh sun.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, moths

Uses

ornamental, cut flowers

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

When do camellias bloom?

Bloom times vary by species and cultivar, with many flowering in late winter to early spring, though some bloom in fall or summer.

What kind of soil do camellias prefer?

They thrive in well-draining, slightly acidic soil rich in organic matter.

Do camellias need full sun?

Most camellias prefer partial shade, especially protection from hot afternoon sun, though some varieties can tolerate more sun.

Are camellias hardy plants?

Hardiness varies; many Camellia japonica cultivars are hardy in USDA zones 7-9, while others may need more protection.

How do you propagate camellias?

Camellias can be propagated by seed, cuttings, or grafting, with cuttings being a common method for cultivars.

Where the name comes from

The genus name, Camellia, was established by Carl Linnaeus to honor Georg Joseph Kamel, a Moravian Jesuit missionary and botanist who worked in the Philippines and described many plants. The common name 'Camellia' is directly derived from this scientific name.

Good to know

• The scientific name, Camellia, honors the Jesuit missionary and botanist Georg Joseph Kamel.
• Camellia japonica, one of the most popular species, has thousands of cultivated varieties.
• The seeds of Camellia oleifera are pressed to produce edible tea oil, used in cooking.
• Camellias are evergreen shrubs or trees, keeping their leaves year-round.
• Their blooms can range in color from pure white to deep red, with many shades of pink in between.