Camellias are popular evergreen shrubs that produce a beautiful display of flowers from late winter to early spring, when little else is in flower. There are thousands of varieties to choose from, with white, pink or red flowers, which can either be single or double. Their shiny, evergreen leaves look great all year round.
In their native range of south Asia, camellias are woodland plants, so do best in shade. This makes them useful for growing in shady parts of the garden or as part of a woodland border.
Camellias are acid-loving plants, which means they need to grow in acidic soil, ideally with a pH of around 6 to 6.5. If youre unsure whether you have acid soil or not, you can do a soil test. Alternatively, simply look at neighbouring gardens and see which plants are growing. If rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias are abundant, you will almost certainly have acidic soil. If they are not growing then you are likely to have alkaline soil and wont be able to grow camellias in the ground. However some camellia varieties can be grown in pots of ericaceous compost.
Do Camellias Like Acid Soil? What You Need To KnowCamellias are beautiful flowering shrubs that come in a wide range of colors including white pink red, and yellow. With their attractive blooms and glossy evergreen foliage, camellias make a stunning addition to any garden. However, in order to grow successfully, camellias have some specific soil requirements. One of the most common questions that camellia gardeners have is whether these plants like acidic soil. In this in-depth article, we’ll take a close look at camellia soil preferences to help you provide the ideal growing conditions.
Why Do Camellias Prefer Acidic Soil?
Camellias naturally evolved in forest environments in Asia where the soil tends to be acidic. Over time, they adapted to thrive best in slightly acidic soil conditions. There are a few key reasons why camellias do best in acidic soil:
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Acidic soils contain more available nutrients. Nutrients like iron, zinc, and manganese are more readily accessible to plant roots in acid soil. This ensures camellias have plenty of essential nutrients.
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It prevents nutrient deficiencies At higher pH levels, camellias may not be able to properly take up nutrients like iron. This leads to chlorosis, or yellowing leaves Acidic soils keep nutrients available.
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Mimics native habitat Providing acidic soil conditions similar to their natural range helps camellias grow well since they are adapted to those soil types,
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Lowers disease risk. Very acidic soils can increase the chance of phytophthora root rot. The ideal pH range prevents this while still providing enough acidity.
What is the Optimal Acidic pH Range for Camellias?
While camellias can tolerate a wider range of pH levels, they do best when soil pH is slightly acidic between 6.0-6.5. This pH range provides the right balance of acidity and nutrient availability for healthy camellias. They can adapt to pH levels ranging from 5.0-7.0, but the most ideal conditions will be within that 6.0-6.5 sweet spot.
How to Tell if Your Soil is Too Alkaline for Camellias
It’s important to monitor soil pH regularly to ensure it stays in the proper acidic range. Here are a few signs your soil may be too alkaline:
- Yellowing leaves
- Small flowers
- Lackluster blooms
- Leggy, weak growth
- Increased disease problems
- Leaf scorching
Consistently high pH above 7.0 will eventually lead to declining health and poor performance. Testing pH yearly and making adjustments is key.
How to Make Soil More Acidic for Camellias
If soil tests reveal pH is too high for camellias, there are several effective methods to lower pH:
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Incorporate acidic organic matter like pine needles or oak leaves into the soil. As they decompose, the pH will drop.
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Use elemental sulfur or aluminum sulfate amendments following package instructions. They gradually lower pH over time.
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Switch to an acidic fertilizer made for acid-loving plants like camellias. This will help maintain proper pH.
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Replace alkaline tap water with collected rain water which has a naturally lower pH when watering.
With monitoring and amendments, you can successfully cultivate the mildly acidic soil conditions that camellias prefer.
What is the Best Soil Type for Growing Camellias?
Camellias grow well in a range of soil textures including clay, loam, and sandy soils. However, the ideal soil for camellias has these characteristics:
- Moderately acidic pH between 6.0-6.5
- Rich in organic matter such as compost
- Well-drained but still moisture retentive
- High fertility and nutrient levels
Adding compost or leaf mold to your soil provides organic matter that camellias thrive in. Proper drainage is also key to prevent root rot. With the right acidic soil environment, camellias will flourish.
Container Growing Camellias
If the soil in your garden isn’t suitable, camellias can be successfully grown in containers. Use a quality potting mix formulated for acid-loving plants. A peat-based mix amended with compost works well. Repot every 2-3 years with fresh potting mix to maintain an ideal pH. Container growing allows you to cultivate camellias even in alkaline garden soil.
The Bottom Line
Camellias strongly prefer mildly acidic soil conditions similar to their native forest habitats. Aim for a soil pH between 6.0-6.5 for best results. Check pH regularly and correct as needed to maintain the optimal acidity. With the right acidic soil environment, your camellias will thrive and flourish with beautiful blooms year after year. Proper soil care is key to growing vibrant, flowering camellia plants.
Where to grow camellias
Camellias do best in dappled shade or full shade. An area that gets morning shade is best as direct sun in the morning can dry out the developing flower buds too quickly. Choose a sheltered spot, as an exposed, windy position is likely to cause leaf and flower damage.
How to grow a camellia in a pot
Camellias grow well in pots and this is a good option if you don’t have acidic soil in your garden. Use a soil-based, peat-free ericaceous compost mix and a pot that is at least 30cm wide.
Before you start, water the camellia thoroughly (ideally with rainwater) in its original pot. Ensure the roots are fully saturated and allow to drain. Move your intended pot to its final position before planting it up as it may become heavy.
Make sure there are plenty of holes in the base of your pot and add crocks to improve drainage. Fill your pot about two-thirds full with ericaceous compost, leaving enough room for your plant.
Make a hollow in the compost big enough for your camellia’s rootball and place it in the pot.
Position the plant centrally in the pot with the top of its rootball about 5cm below the rim. Fill in around the roots with compost and push down with your fingers. Water well and allow to drain.
Camellias are slow-growing plants so don’t need to be repotted often, but it’s best to do this before the plant gets visibly pot bound. Repot in spring, into fresh compost.
Fertilizing Azaleas, Camellias and Rhododendrons
FAQ
What is the best fertilizer for camellias?
The American Camellia Society recommends using some cottonseed meal, although a general purpose slow release NPK Ratio 10-10-10 fertilizer will also work well. Apply a dusting of the fertilizer and then water. Do not try to mix the fertilizer with the soil as camellia roots are fibrous and are located near the topsoil.
Why are my camellia leaves turning yellow and dropping off?
The most common camellia pests are aphids, scale insects and spider mites, which can also cause yellowing of the leaves on the plant.May 15, 2025
Where should you not plant a camellia?
Do not plant where shade trees with shallow root systems will compete with camellias for nutrients and water.