Pots and planters filled with abundantly flowering, glossy-leaved camellias (Camellia japonica) add structure and a hint of the exotic to porches, patios and garden areas. From fall through spring, camellias flower profusely in snowy whites, deep reds and a range of yellows. You can also find pink and lavender varieties. Camellias grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 9. With a little shade, good drainage and the right potting soil, these woody shrubs take well to container culture.
Place the potted camellia in part shade where it will get about two to four hours of sun per day. The camellia's root ball should sit 1 inch below the lip of the pot.
Water when the top 1 inch of the potting medium starts to feel dry. Pour in water until it runs out of the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. Under-watered camellias tend to drop buds prematurely.
Apply 1 teaspoon of liquid fertilizer mixed with 1 gallon of water to the potting soil twice a month from spring through fall. Use a fertilizer specially formulated for acid-loving plants; these formulas commonly list camellias on the label.
Move camellias indoors into a greenhouse, porch or other protected spot when frost or a freeze is forecast. While camellias are frost-hardy in the garden, they are more prone to damage when growing in containers.
Repot camellias in the fall into planters 2 inches larger than their current pots when they shows signs of getting overgrown. You will notice roots trying to grow out the drainage holes, roots growing on the surface of the potting soil, and root mass so dense that water sits on top of the potting soil when you water.
To re-pot, lay the container on its side and pull out the camellia, handling it by the root ball. Cut away any roots that are rotten or mushy or grow in a circle around the root ball. Re-pot the camellia the same depth in the new pot as it was in the previous pot, leaving 1 inch between the top of the potting soil and the lip of the pot. Ultimately, the camellia will need a 2-foot-diameter planter at least 2 feet deep.
Cut out dead branches in summer. You can also prune out overgrown branches in midsummer to keep camellias compact and even-looking. Clean your pruning tools with rubbing alcohol after trimming the roots and branches to prevent disease spread between plants.
Check the top and the underside of the leaves weekly for aphids and spider mites. When you spot an infestation, rinse off the insects with a strong stream of water.
Check the woody stems for scale insects. Scale appears as raised welts that scrape off easily. Spray scale with a ready-mixed all-season horticultural oil.
Things You Will Need
- Potting soil for acid-loving plants
- Fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants
- Horticultural oil
- Camellias don't take well to shearing. Prune just enough to maintain a balanced shape, and if they don't look like they need it, skip the pruning and allow a natural shape to form.
- If you notice the leaves turning yellow, the camellia likely needs more acid in the soil. Re-pot with fresh potting soil formulated for acid-loving plants.
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