The Best Camellia Fertilizer and How to Use It

Camellias are prized for their lush, glossy foliage and stunning blossoms that provide vibrant color in the garden when many other plants are dormant. To ensure these shrubs thrive and produce an abundance of flowers, providing them with the correct nutrients is a key part of their care. Proper nutrition supports vigorous growth, the development of deep green leaves, and plentiful blooms.

Choosing the Right Fertilizer for Camellias

Camellias perform best in acidic soil with a pH between 5.0 and 6.5. Because of this, selecting a fertilizer designed for acid-loving plants, often labeled as an “azalea/camellia” formula, is a reliable choice. These specialized mixes contain ingredients like ammonium sulfate or ammonium nitrate, which help maintain a low soil pH. Using a fertilizer that raises the pH can lead to nutrient deficiencies, even when nutrients are present in the soil.

The nutrient content, represented by the N-P-K ratio, is another important factor. A balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 formulation, can work well, providing equal parts of nitrogen (N) for leaf growth, phosphorus (P) for root and flower development, and potassium (K) for overall plant vigor. A balanced approach is generally effective for maintaining healthy plants.

Fertilizers for camellias are available in several forms. Slow-release granular fertilizers are a popular option, as they break down over several months, providing a steady supply of nutrients. Liquid fertilizers are fast-acting for a quick boost but require more frequent application. Organic choices like cottonseed meal are naturally acidic and release nutrients slowly as they decompose, improving soil structure over time.

Camellia Fertilization Schedule

The timing of fertilizer application is aligned with the plant’s natural growth cycle. The most significant feeding should occur in the spring, just after the camellia has finished its blooming period. This application replenishes the energy the plant expended on flowering and provides fuel for new leaf and stem growth.

A second, lighter application can be beneficial during the middle of summer, around June or July. This feeding supports the plant through the warmer months and aids in the development of flower buds, which form during this time. Use a smaller amount of fertilizer for this application to avoid forcing excessive growth late in the season.

Knowing when not to fertilize is as important as knowing when to apply nutrients. Avoid fertilizing camellias in the late fall or winter, as this can stimulate tender new growth that is highly susceptible to frost damage. Similarly, refrain from fertilizing plants stressed from drought, recent transplanting, or disease, as their compromised root systems cannot properly absorb the nutrients.

How to Apply Camellia Fertilizer

Before you begin, thoroughly water the camellia a day or two in advance. Moist soil helps to distribute the fertilizer evenly and protects the roots from being burned by direct contact with concentrated fertilizer salts.

Always follow the instructions on the fertilizer package, as application rates vary. Pull back any mulch to expose the soil surface. Sprinkle the measured amount of granular fertilizer evenly on the ground, extending from about six inches away from the main trunk out to the plant’s dripline. The dripline is the area directly beneath the outermost branches, where the most active feeder roots are located.

After spreading the fertilizer, water the area thoroughly. This dissolves the granular nutrients, allowing them to move into the root zone, and it dilutes the fertilizer to prevent chemical burn. Once watering is complete, rake the mulch back into place.

Signs of Improper Fertilization

Observing a camellia’s leaves is often the first step in diagnosing fertilization issues. A common sign of under-fertilization is chlorosis, a condition where leaves turn yellow while the veins remain green. This pattern, known as interveinal chlorosis, indicates an iron deficiency, which is common in soils with a pH that is too high. Other symptoms of insufficient nutrients include sparse foliage, weak growth, and a reduction in the number or size of flowers.

Conversely, over-fertilization can be just as damaging. A primary symptom is scorched or browning leaf edges and tips, which occurs when excessive fertilizer salts draw moisture out of the leaves. You may also observe sudden and widespread leaf drop as the plant struggles with toxic nutrient levels. In severe cases, a visible white, crusty residue of fertilizer salts may accumulate on the soil surface.