November 3, 2019, 7:05 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Whether it’s a pink blossom crown on a slender stem or multicolored bushes, indoor azaleas add color to any room. The bloom can last up to two months—with a few tips. Here’s what you should consider when caring for azaleas.
Flowering shrubs are especially popular in winter: Indoor azaleas often adorn homes for weeks. They have a pre-Christmas charm in snow white or deep red, but the variety in shape and color is vast. Proper care is crucial for azaleas to ensure they bloom over an extended period.
Proper Azalea Care – How They Bloom for Weeks
Azaleas are popular everywhere for their colorful blooms. The flowers often disappear under a cloud of blossoms for weeks, creating a special atmosphere in rooms.
Additionally, versatile azaleas come in different growth forms—from mini plants to impressive, multicolored bushes. By strategically cooling and heating, indoor azaleas can be brought to bloom. This applies to the descendants of Indian azaleas with simple and double flowers, as well as Japanese azaleas, which can also form unique spider-like blooms.
Also interesting: A method to promote plant flowering
Look Closely When Buying Azaleas
For a long-lasting bloom, not only proper care but also the purchase is crucial, explains the Federal Association of Retail Gardeners (BVE). The azalea must be healthy to bloom for a long time. High-quality azaleas have plump buds that already show flower color. Plants with dried-out root balls often drop their buds later. Temporary lack of light can also stop blooming.
Tip: To be on the safe side, buy well-maintained indoor azaleas from a specialist retailer. They also offer professional advice.
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Azaleas Need Plenty of Water to Bloom
Azaleas are very thirsty. The BVE advises submerging the pot ball in a bucket of water and then letting it drain. This allows the soil to soak up water without the roots standing in it.
With pots that have a water reservoir, it’s even easier: Here, the roots are kept moist via a wick. If fertilizer is added to the watering every two weeks, the plants have enough nutrients and can develop new buds.
Azaleas Bloom Especially Long in This Location
Too much warmth and sun should be avoided. A bright and cool location is optimal for the plants. There, they can bloom vigorously for up to two months.