Indoor Azalea Maintenance: Steps for Vibrant Blossoms within Your Living Space
Growing Azaleas Indoors: Here's the Scoop
(Not your usual suburban garden talk)
Get Ready to Grow Azaleas Indoors, Sistas!
Curious if you can nurture azaleas in the comfort of your home? The answer's a big YAS. In fact, late winter and early spring often see pots of azaleas showing up in retail stores. These are specifically bred and potted for indoor use as houseplants, but they're not usually cold-hardy, so it's best to keep them indoors year-round or move them outdoors in summer only.
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Giving Your Indoor Azaleas TLC
Caring for azaleas indoors ain't the same as tending to outdoor shrubs. To keep your potted azalea healthy, follow these tips:
Light
Outside, azaleas take to dappled sunlight and even deep shade. Your indoor azalea will appreciate a spot by a window with a sheer curtain to create bright, indirect light or, better yet, under other plants receiving bright, direct light so they get some shade.
Water
Keeping indoor azaleas watered right is tricky. Strive to balance keeping the soil moist without making it soggy to prevent root rot. Water thoroughly every few days, and make sure the pot has good drainage. If it came in a decorative foil pot, remove it to help your azalea drain.
Temperature & Humidity
Your indoor azalea thrives best when the temperature steers clear of the hotspot (60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit or 15 to 18 Celsius). Ideal homey humidity for your potted azalea is between 40% and 60%.
Soil
A potted azalea typically comes with a decent potting mix. If you decide to make your own, follow this ratio: one part soil to three parts acidic peat moss. Azaleas hail from acidic soil, so keep that in mind when soil shopping.
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Fertilizer
Your azalea will flourish when you sprinkle a little love in the form of the right fertilizer. Opt for one formulated for azaleas or acid-loving houseplants. Follow the instructions on the fertilizer packaging to determine the best time and amount to feed your azalea.
Problems, Pests, and Diseases
Root rot can be a problem for an overwatered or poorly drained azalea, but try to keep the soil consistently moist enough to prevent dryness or decline. Yellowing leaves may indicate dry soil or soil that's too alkaline. To help combat this, add a soil acidity booster. Possible pests affecting azaleas include aphids, mealybugs, scale, lace bugs, and leaf miners. Keep a keen eye out for these little buggers and tackle any infestations promptly using suitable treatments.
Pruning
Regular pruning keeps your indoor azalea looking cute and compact. Whack back any rambunctious branches to encourage bushier, denser growth. Prune your azalea a few weeks after it has finished blooming to avoid chopping off next year's flowers, but don't wait too long. July or early August are usually good times for a trim.
Engage in a new endeavor and bring the charm of a home-and-gardening lifestyle indoors by growing Azaleas. After careful tending, your Azalea will bloom beautifully among your home's interior, a splash of vibrant outdoor life in your lifestyle.
