Camellia.

At a glance

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Evergreen shrub

Light

Partial shade to dappled sunlight

Indoor light

Bright indirect

Water

Every 5 to 10 days

Mature size

6 to 12 feet

Growth rate

Slow

Hardiness

USDA 7 to 9

Bloom time

Late autumn to early spring

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root issues. Watch for yellowing leaves which often indicate poor drainage or incorrect soil pH. Provide a sheltered spot to protect the buds from late frosts.

Watering

Water deeply whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Feeding

Apply an acid-loving plant fertilizer during the active growing season.

Pruning

Prune immediately after flowering finishes to shape the plant and encourage new growth.

Repotting

Repot only when the plant becomes root-bound, using a high-quality acidic potting mix.

Soil

Acidic, well-draining, organic-rich soil

Soil pH

5.5 to 6.5

Temperature

-10 to 30°C

Humidity

60 to 90%

Drought tolerance

Low

Lifespan

Perennial, can live for over 50 years with proper care.

Fragrance

Light

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

The plant is generally considered non-toxic to humans.

Pets

Camellias are generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Children

The plant is safe for children, though the woody stems may be sharp if broken.

Contact allergens

Handling the foliage or flowers rarely causes skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

Camellias are not considered significant contributors to seasonal pollen allergies.

Edibility

While some species are used for tea, most ornamental camellias are not intended for consumption and may cause digestive upset.

How to identify it

• Glossy dark green leathery leaves
• Showy flowers with many petals
• Dense evergreen shrub growth habit
• Serrated leaf margins

Height

1.5 to 4.5m

Spread

1.2 to 3m

Leaves

dark green, glossy, evergreen

Flowers

white, pink, red, 5 to 12cm

Problems to watch for

• Camellia Petal BlightCommon
• Scale InsectsCommon
• AphidsUncommon
• Bud DropUncommon
• ChlorosisUncommon
• Leaf ScorchUncommon
• Root RotUncommon
• Sooty MoldUncommon

Growing it

Propagation

cuttings, layering, seed

When to plant

spring, early autumn

Overwintering

Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base to protect roots from freezing. In severe cold, cover the plant with burlap to prevent windburn.

In containers

They grow well in large pots, provided the container is at least 40 cm wide and has excellent drainage.

Group them with other acid-loving plants to simplify soil management.

Grows well with

• Azalea — They share similar acidic soil and shade requirements.
• Japanese Maple — It provides the dappled shade that camellias prefer.
• Hosta — These perennials fill the space beneath the shrub with lush foliage.

Similar species

• Tea plant — It is a close relative grown primarily for its leaves rather than flowers.

Science

Family

Theaceae

Genus

Camellia

Order

Ericales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Eastern and Southern Asia

Conservation

Some wild species are threatened by habitat loss, but common garden varieties are widely cultivated.

They naturally grow as understory shrubs in moist, shaded woodland environments.

Value to wildlife

late season nectar source

Pollinators

bees

Uses

ornamental shrub, hedging, container plant

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are my buds dropping?

This is often caused by inconsistent watering or extreme temperature fluctuations.

Do they need acidic soil?

Yes, they thrive in acidic, well-draining soil rich in organic matter.

Where the name comes from

The genus was named by Linnaeus in honor of Georg Joseph Kamel, a Jesuit missionary and botanist.

Good to know

• Camellias are often called the rose of winter.
• They were introduced to Europe from Asia in the 18th century.
• The flowers can last for several weeks on the bush.

Also in

• Plants for shade