Can Camellias Be Grown Indoors?

Potting Soil

• Using the right potting soil mix is critical for growing camellias indoors. Camellias are susceptible to root rot in wet or heavy soil mixes. Home and garden centers sell pre-made mixtures designed for camellias. These mixes are convenient but can be expensive. Create a homemade camellia potting soil with organic and inorganic materials. A suitable mix includes equal parts leaf mold or peat moss, pine bark and sand. Another suitable mixture includes equal parts sand, potting soil and pine bark. A pH range of 5.5 to 6.5 is ideal for camellias.

Containers and Drainage

• Drainage is important for most container-grown plants, but it is critical for camellias. Start your camellia in a 1-gallon pot. If the root ball is already larger than the diameter of the 1-gallon pot, select a pot one size larger. Only use pots with holes for drainage in the bottom, otherwise water builds up around the roots, causing damaging rot. Spread coarse bark, gravel or crushed rock over the bottom 1 to 2 inches of the container before adding the potting soil mix to aid in drainage.

Light and Care Requirements

• Camellias enjoy partial shade outdoors. Indoors, these plants thrive in bright, filtered light. A bright window that is shaded by outdoor plants is ideal. Water camellias when the top of the soil dries out. Water thoroughly and leave the pot in a sink to drain. Empty saucers and trays under the pots whenever water collects in them. Feed camellias with a fertilizer designed for them; azalea and rhododendron fertilizer also works well. Fertilize between April and December as directed on the package label, and then discontinue feeding during the winter while the plant goes into a brief dormancy.

Repotting

• Camellias benefit from repotting every other year. Repotting allows you to renew the potting soil and to move your camellia into a larger pot as it grows. Select a pot 1 to 2 gallons larger each time the roots start growing over the surface of the potting soil or over the edge of the pot. Slide the root ball out of the pot and trim off broken, rotten or damaged roots. You can cut the roots back as much as 2 inches to slow growth when desired. Repot using fresh potting soil.