Although the camellia is often offered as a houseplant already in bloom in a pot, it will probably die very quickly in a warm, well-heated living room. They don't like dry air or heat.

Camellias can be grown in pots, but not indoors

The camellia is not exactly easy to care for and also places certain demands on its location. She needs a lot of light, but prefers it a little cooler. It can only withstand temperatures above 20 °C for a short time. In the blazing sun, it quickly gets brown leaves from sunburn. Partial shade, on the other hand, is quite cheap.

Where does the camellia come from?

There are about 300 species of camellia (bot. Camellia japonica), which belongs to the tea plant family and has been around for hundreds of years. She is from East Asia. The camellia is said to have been brought to Europe by Portuguese seafarers as early as the 16th century, where it flourished in the 19th century. Although it is related to the tea bush, it is not used to make tea but as an ornamental plant.

Can a camellia be cultivated in a pot?

A camellia can certainly be cultivated in a pot if you pay attention to a few things. Choose a pot that is not too large for your camellia, it should only be a few centimeters larger in diameter than the previous planter.

Use slightly acidic soil, such as rhododendron soil, because the camellia is not particularly tolerant of lime. Do not repot the plant too often and move the plant as little as possible.

Where does the camellia feel comfortable?

In principle, the camellia feels quite comfortable in the garden. However, the air should not become too dry here either. However, it is only hardy in a mild area and in old age. As a young plant, the camellia should hibernate frost-free if possible. Planting out is therefore not recommended until the age of about four years.

A conservatory that is not too warm or a cold greenhouse are suitable for camellias all year round. Here the humidity can be controlled relatively easily and kept constant at around 70 percent. However, the temperature should not always be the same. A certain cold stimulus ensures lush flowering. With this you can even influence the flowering time within certain limits.

The essentials in brief:

  • not well suited as a houseplant
  • prefers rather cool but humid air
  • is only conditionally hardy
  • needs a lot of light
  • is not really easy to care for
  • needs slightly acidic soil
  • Cold stimulus required for flowering

tips

If you have one, place your camellia in a rather cool conservatory. She will probably feel very comfortable there.

Category:

Vegetable garden