Azalea Care Guide

• Soil 

Acidic, moist and well drained. Use an Azalea/Camellia planting mix or peat moss when conditioning
soil.

• Light 

Best in filtered shade. Azaleas appreciate good air circulation. “Sun” azaleas can tolerate more sun, but are
best in a partially sunny area in the hot valley areas.

• Water 

Keep plants evenly moist.  Never allow soil to become too dry or too wet.

• Fertilizer 

Use a fertilizer for acid loving plants once a month after flowering until buds begin to form. Do not
fertilize when plant is in bud or bloom.

• Maintenance 

Prune to shape after flowering, but before July when buds begin to form. Tip pruning will encourage a
more compact, bushy plant.

• Planting Tips

Be sure to plant new plants about 1” higher than the existing soil level. Dig the planting hole at least 2-3
times the width of the container. Azaleas are shallow rooted. It is best not to cultivate around the root.
area.

• Problems

Wilting and dying parts of plant
Poor drainage, root rot. Well drained, well amended soil is a must.
Be careful not to plant new plants too deeply.
Bleaching or burning in leaf center
Sunburn.  Provide protection from sun or relocate to a shadier area.
Lanky, sparsely blooming plants
Too much shade.
Burning of leaf tips and edges
Salt build-up in soil. Leach soil occasionally by deep watering.
Yellow leaves with green veins
Iron chlorosis. Apply chelated iron or iron sulphate.
Large portions of leaves turning brown
Lack of water.  Keep plants evenly moist.