A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Beautiful Azaleas as Houseplants

Azaleas are stunning shrubs that produce an abundance of colorful blooms in shades of pink, red, purple, and white. Typically grown outdoors, azaleas can also be grown as houseplants to brighten up indoor spaces. With their shiny green leaves and cheery flowers, azaleas make excellent container plants for adding a pop of color inside your home.

In this beginner’s guide you’ll learn everything you need to know about selecting planting, and caring for azaleas as indoor houseplants. Let’s get started!

Choosing the Right Azalea Variety

When choosing an azalea for indoor growing, look for a greenhouse azalea rather than a hardy outdoor variety Greenhouse azaleas are specifically bred for growing indoors as houseplants Popular greenhouse azalea varieties include

• Belgica – Bright red ruffled blooms with glossy green leaves
• Coral Bells – Frilly flowers in a mix of coral pink and white
• Klondyke – Vibrant orange flowers with dark green foliage
• Mrs. H.C. Rike – Large pink blooms with white streaks
• Red Ruffle – Deep crimson double blooms

Select a plant with healthy foliage and several unopened flower buds, which will continue opening over time indoors. Avoid plants with yellowing leaves or signs of pests. The blooms of greenhouse azaleas tend to last longer than florist azaleas.

Providing the Right Growing Conditions

Azaleas do best in bright, indirect light inside your home. Place them near an east or west facing window. Avoid direct hot sunlight which can burn the leaves. Azaleas prefer daytime temperatures between 60-70°F and nighttime temps around 55°F. Keep them away from heating and AC vents which can dry them out.

These shrubs require consistently moist (but not soggy) soil. Use a well-draining potting mix formulated for acid-loving plants. Water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry. To increase humidity around your plant, place the pot on a pebble tray filled with water. Mist the leaves occasionally with soft water.

Feed monthly during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Discontinue fertilizing in fall to encourage bud development.

Achieving Rebloom

With proper care, you can get your azalea houseplant to rebloom indoors year after year. Here are some tips:

• Provide bright, indirect light year-round
• Maintain ideal temperatures between 60-70°F
• Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged
• Mist leaves to increase humidity around the plant
• Apply dilute fertilizer monthly while actively growing
• Prune lightly after flowering to shape the plant

Getting azaleas to rebloom requires exposing them to cool temperatures of around 40-55°F for 6-8 weeks in late fall/early winter. This cold period mimics winter dormancy and initiates flower bud development. Move the plant to an unheated porch or garage during this time.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Here are some potential problems and solutions for azalea houseplants:

• Leaf drop: This can be caused by dry soil, low humidity, or exposure to ethylene gas. Improve watering, increase humidity, and remove any plastic sleeves around pots.

• Failure to bloom: Insufficient light, improper temperatures, and lack of a cool dormancy period can prevent flowering.

• Wilting: Overwatering can cause root rot leading to wilting. Allow the soil to partially dry out between waterings.

• Leaf spots: Leaf spots can be a sign of fungal disease. Prune affected leaves, water from below, and use a fungicide.

• Pests: Watch for whiteflies, mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids which can infest azaleas. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil to control.

Enjoying Azaleas as Houseplants

With their colorful blooms and attractive foliage, azaleas make a cheery addition to any indoor space. Place them in a well-lit area and be diligent about watering. Move the plant outdoors in summer and provide a cool period over winter for reblooming success. Follow these tips and you’ll be rewarded with a gorgeous azalea houseplant.