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Matching products: Azalea
Interesting facts about azaleas
Botanical name: Rhododendron simsii
Other names: azalea, indoor azalea, pot azalea, alpine rose
Use: flowering houseplant, table decoration
Origin: China, Taiwan, Japan
Flower colours: white, salmon red, pink, red, lilac, violet, two-tone
Flowering period: September until March, depending on the variety
Special features: Pleasant with bright, colorful flowers for many weeks. Regular watering is important for lush flowering. Lime-free water should be used for this.
Azaleas are colorful houseplants for fall and winter. With lush blooms and countless blossoms, the richly flowering subshrubs will delight for many weeks. The variety of colors is large and new breeds are constantly being added to the range. Since pot azaleas come from cool, mountainous regions in Asia, it is important to know their demands on the climatic conditions in order to carry out the resulting care measures correctly. Tips and tricks for azalea care can be found in the following section. With us you can buy these plants online.
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In which location does the azalea feel most comfortable?
Place your azalea indoors in a bright, semi-shady location, but without direct midday sun. Temperatures between 12 and 20 °C are ideal for caring for the azaleas. Avoid a location right next to the heater, because dry heat is not conducive to the decorative flowering plant. In the right location, the potted azalea can bloom for up to two months. The leaves of the indoor azalea are poisonous. The plant should therefore be kept out of the reach of small children and pets. Discover our plants online shop.
Our gardening tip: At temperatures around 18 °C, the flowers last much longer than in a well-heated location. Therefore, a bright stairwell and the entrance area are ideally suited as a location for the distinctive beauties.
How do I care for my azalea?
during flowering
Fertilizing the azalea is not necessary during flowering. We recommend fertilizing from March to September.
After flowering
From mid-May, the room azalea can be placed on the balcony or terrace in a shady spot in the garden. If necessary, the plant is repotted, for this rhododendron soil must be used, because this has a pH value of 3.5 and 4. From March to September, 14-day fertilization with special fertilizer promotes growth. From the end of August, watering is more sparing, thus promoting budding. From September the potted plant is placed in a cool place in the house. New buds will soon be clearly visible. As soon as the buds open, you can place the winter bloomers at 18 to 21 °C and soon the ericaceous plants will delightwith new bloom. Break out faded flowers regularly. Thus, the plant does not form seeds and the houseplant looks well-groomed.
How do I water my azalea?
Proper care of azaleas is a guarantee that the plant will not get sick. Incorrect watering in particular makes your plant more susceptible to fungal attack. Azaleas always need moist roots, but not waterlogging. Ideally, place your azaleas in a planter that has expanded clay drainage.
The plant pot is not directly in the water, the excess water can drain off and the humid climate promotes the vitality of the houseplant. As bog plants, azaleas prefer low-lime water, rainwater is also welcome.
Our gardening tip: dip your azaleas once a week. Here you immerse the plant placed in a bucket until it stops bubbling. Then remove the potted plant from the water and let it drain. This ensures that the root ball is completely moistened and the plant is sufficiently supplied with water.
How do I prune my azalea?
For a bushy growth, the height of the Japanese-looking plant can be adjusted immediately after flowering. With a slight pruning, you shape the azalea and encourage branching.
What different types of growth are there?
The fascinating flowering plants are available with single or double flowers and in different sizes. There are mini plants, which are ideal as table decorations, or special shapes such as stems and pyramids, which impress with their size.
What pests and diseases can the azalea get?
Given the right site conditions, azaleas are profusely flowering houseplants. Here are some possible problems with azaleas:
bud fall
Buds may drop if there is a long drought. Or the buds will dry up and not develop into colorful blooms. Try doing something good for your plant with a dip. With a bit of luck, the houseplant will recover.
leaf fall
In severe drought or standing water, leaves fall. Correct the causes accordingly and make your plant drier or immerse the root ball.
Yellow-speckled leaves
Due to low humidity and warm room air, an infestation of spider mites can occur. Spraying with low-lime water increases the humidity.
Yellow leaves
A lack of nitrogen is indicated by a strong yellow color distributed evenly over the entire leaf surface. Fertilizing with special fertilizers for azaleas, camellias and hydrangeas helps here.
Yellow leaves with green veins
Iron deficiency is a consequence of too high a lime content in the root ball. Use low-lime irrigation water and use special iron fertilizers for curative purposes.
Are you looking for more information about pests and diseases or do you have questions about a plant problem? Our plant doctors will be happy to help you – in person and online!
FAQ — Frequently asked questions about azaleas
Are indoor azaleas hardy?
Azaleas for the room are not hardy. Before the first severe frosts in autumn, the flowering plant should be brought indoors from the outside. Even in spring, the houseplant may only be placed outdoors from mid-May, because the shoots are soft and sensitive due to their location in the house.
Why does the azalea lose leaves?
Drafts, waterlogging or prolonged drought can lead to leaf fall. Optimize the location factors and with a bit of luck the houseplant will regenerate. However, if the roots are damaged, the only option is to throw them away.
Is there a symbolism to azaleas?
The name azalea is derived from the Greek word «azaleos» for «dry». However, this does not refer to the water requirements, but rather to the woody branches of the plant. As the national flower, the group of plants is revered in Nepal and used as a symbol of luck on special occasions. The flowers are given as a sign of trust and in Japan giving an azalea is said to bring good luck. Azaleas are often given as gifts for birthdays or special occasions. In the language of flowers, azaleas stand for trust and deeply felt love.
Can azaleas be propagated from cuttings?
Azaleas can be propagated by cuttings in the spring. It is important that the 8 to 10 cm long cuttings are placed in moist growth substrate immediately after harvesting and placed in a warm place protected from drafts. Rooting the cuttings is a little tricky, but is considered a common method of propagating the plants. Rooting can take 8 to 12 weeks. After root formation, the young azaleas can be planted in a mixture of sand and ericaceous soil.
Can the azalea be left outside after flowering in summer?
From the end of May you can place the flowering plant in a semi-shady place outdoors or on the balcony. Ensure an even water supply. Before the first frost, it is necessary to put them indoors.
Do azaleas tolerate any watering?
Watering the moor bed plants with low-lime water is optimal, preferably with room-warm rainwater. In locations with a high lime content, it is important that the irrigation water has been stagnant for a few days so that the lime content in the irrigation water is minimized.
What varieties of indoor azaleas are there?
Extensive breeding work has resulted in well over a hundred varieties of indoor azaleas. The enchanting houseplants are available in elegant white, delicate salmon red, pink and pink as well as intense red.
In addition to the monochromatic species, there are also bicolored varieties. The flower shape can be wide open or more tubular.