How to Grow and Care for Azaleas the Right Way for Healthy, Beautiful Blooms A complete overview of planting, growing, and caring for the vibrant azalea plant. In This Article View All In This Article Growing Options Care Requirements Transplanting Common Problems FAQ Nothing signals the start of spring—and warmer weather—quite like beautiful pink azalea blooms. These perennial shrubs are beloved for their joyful colors, which also include red, pink, white, and other hues, and they're fairly easy to grow. Of course, there's a right and a wrong way to grow any plant, so we spoke to the experts about the very best way to grow and care for your azaleas. Follow these instructions for a technicolor spring display that's sure to be the envy of all your neighbors. Courtney Sixx, co-founder of Bouquet Box, a company that makes DIY floral arranging boxes Nikhil Arora, co-founder and CEO of Back to the Roots, a company that makes organic growing kits, raised beds, planters and sells seedlings, seeds, and soil and plant foods 15 Perennial Flowers That Produce Long-Lasting Blooms Year After Year Credit: Federica Grassi / GETTY IMAGES How to Add Azaleas to Your Yard If you want to add an azalea plant to your yard, you have two options: growing from seed or purchasing a mature plant. Growing From Seed Though azaleas can be grown from seed, it's considered a more challenging and time-consuming route compared to starting from cuttings or a mature plant. "If you do decide to plant azaleas from seed, it's best to collect seeds from a mature plant and sow them in a well-draining potting mix and in a condition with warm temperatures, preferably around 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit," says Nikhil Arora, the co-founder and CEO of Back to the Roots. It may take several weeks, or even months, for the seeds to germinate—and then a few years for them to reach maturity and produce flowers. Purchasing Azalea Plants To enjoy the beauty of azaleas right away, purchase mature plants from a local nursery. Arora says to look for healthy foliage and well-developed buds and to avoid plants with signs of pests or disease, such as yellowing and wilting leaves. "Always check the plant tags for climate conditions and choose a plant that is best suited to your climate and growing conditions," says Arora. "Some varieties are better suited for warmer climates, while others do well in cooler regions." 15 Privacy Shrubs to Make Your Yard Feel Like a Secluded Oasis Credit: coreay / GETTY IMAGES How to Care for Azaleas While azalea plants are beautiful and widely loved for their blooms, they require some specific care and attention to thrive. It's important to be mindful of their preferred growing conditions, including soil acidity, light exposure, and watering needs, says Arora. This ensures you have healthy and vibrant azaleas in your garden. Soil Azaleas do best when planted in well-draining, acidic soil. "The ideal soil pH is 4.5 to 6. I usually plant mine in half soil, half peat moss," says Courtney Sixx, co-founder of Bouquet Box. Fertilizer To help maintain the proper soil pH, apply a balanced fertilizer specifically formulated for acid-loving plants in early spring. "This can help promote healthy growth and blooming," says Arora. The Best Azalea Fertilizers—and How to Use Them for Bigger, Better Blooms Light Azaleas prefer a location with filtered—not direct—sunlight or partial shade. Water "Regular watering is important, especially during dry periods, but the soil should not be waterlogged," Arora says. Pruning Pruning azaleas should be done after flowering to maintain their shape and remove any dead or damaged branches. The thick, woody stem requires sharp pruning shears. Clipping Flowers The colorful foliage produced by azaleas is one of the biggest perks of this plant. You can bring the beauty indoors by clipping them. Harvest buds when they are open or nearly open. 15 Shade-Loving Perennials That Thrive in Low Light and Add Color to Your Garden How to Transplant Azaleas Transplanting azaleas is possible, but it's best to perform this task during the plant's dormant season in late fall or early spring. "Before transplanting, prepare the new location by ensuring it has well-drained soil and the proper light conditions," Arora says. "Dig a wide hole around the root ball of the plant and gently lift it out, taking care not to damage the roots. Then, place the azalea in the new hole, backfill with soil, and water thoroughly.” Mulching around the base of the transplanted plant can help conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature. Common Problems With Azaleas—and How to Fix Them Once they've matured, azaleas do well on their own. Just like other plants, though, it's important to routinely check the foliage for signs of distress or infection. Be on the lookout for the following issues. Root Rot Over-watering azaleas can lead to root rot. This occurs when the soil doesn't drain well, when there isn't proper drainage, and/or when you water too frequently. Aim to water your azalea plant in the morning so the sun can help dry up any excess water—and don't water more than once or twice per week. Scorched Petals "Scorched petals can occur if the plants are exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods, so providing shade or planting them in a location with filtered sunlight is recommended," Arora says. Bug Infestations Azaleas are susceptible to pests such as lace bugs, aphids, and spider mites. Signs of these critters include stippled leaves, black or brown spots (especially on the underside of leaves), and yellow or white discoloration. "Regular inspection of the plants and appropriate pest control measures, such as spraying with insecticidal soap or using organic methods, can help manage these issues," says Arora. Frequently Asked Questions Where should you not plant azaleas? It's not advisable to plant azaleas in full, bright sun as the plant can become scorched or bleached, producing little to no flowers. Azaleas also should not be planted in alkaline soils—the American Rhododendron Society even goes so far as to suggest not planting azaleas near concrete foundations as concrete can "create alkaline conditions" for soil. Plant your azaleas in spots that receive partial or dappled sunlight and have acidic soil, and amend the soil if necessary. What is the best time to plant azaleas? Late spring or early fall is the best time to plant your new azalea plants, though if you are to pick one of the two, fall is preferred because the plant is typically dormant and has plenty of time to establish itself. If planting in the spring, mulch and water the plant very well during the spring and summer to protect the roots and help it become established. Avoid planting during the summer as this can cause stress due to high heat and drought conditions. Explore more: Garden Flower Gardens Sources decorvow is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources—including peer-reviewed studies—to support the facts in our articles. Read about our editorial policies and standards to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy. The American Rhododendron Society. Plant Culture and Care. Planting Rhododendrons and Azaleas