What soil does Japanese azalea grow in?

It tolerates these soils: acidic.

Is Japanese azalea hardy?

Hardy down to -23 °C (USDA zone 6, RHS H7). It gets through winter everywhere at lower altitudes, but may not survive unprotected in a mountain garden.

How far from the house should Japanese azalea be planted?

Plant it at least 1 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

When does Japanese azalea flower?

Flowering: April–June, white, pink, red, purple, orange.

How much water does Japanese azalea need?

Water need: high. Drought tolerance: low.

Japanese azalea

Rhododendron Japanese Azalea Group

Japanese azalea (Rhododendron Japanese Azalea Group) is a shrub. Light: part shade. Hardy down to -23 °C. Drought tolerance: low. Toxic to dogs and cats. Sold in local shops from about €42.

Illustration of Japanese azalea — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A low, dense, small-leaved evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub that in late April and May carries so many white, pink, red, purple or orange-red flowers that the leaves barely show. It asks for the same as a rhododendron (acidic, humus-rich, constantly moist, free-draining soil, soft water, part shade), but being smaller it is easier to satisfy: it grows well in a tub of ericaceous compost or in a small raised acidic bed. Do not plant it straight into limy garden soil. It roots shallowly, so do not plant deep, mulch with conifer bark and water regularly in dry spells. When choosing, look at final size (dwarf cultivars stay at 40 to 50 cm, others grow past 1 metre) and at hardiness, because cultivars differ in how much frost they take.

Watch out for

On the limy soils and with the hard tap water of Central Europe the leaves turn yellow (iron deficiency), drop, and the plant dies within a few years unless it was planted in an acidic medium and is watered with rainwater. Some cultivars are only moderately hardy: at around minus 20 °C and below, especially in snowless, windy, sunny winters, foliage and flower buds can be killed, so plant in a sheltered spot, mulch the base, and move tub plants to a bright frost-free place or wrap the pot. In cold winters it sheds part of its leaves anyway. In hot sun and drought it scorches and is attacked by lace bugs and spider mites. Root rot kills it in waterlogged soil. Vine weevil (mainly in tubs), petal blight in wet weather, leaf gall and powdery mildew also occur.

Key facts

Light: Part shade
Water need: High
Care: High
Size after 10 years: 60 cm × 80 cm
Hardiness: down to -23 °C
Foliage: Evergreen
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April–June, white, pink, red, purple, orange

Group	Shrub
Light	Part shade
Size after 10 years	60 cm × 80 cm
Ultimate size	0.4–1.2 m × 0.5–1.5 m
Hardiness	down to -23 °C (USDA 6, RHS H7)
Soil	Acidic
Foliage	Evergreen
Flowering	April–June, white, pink, red, purple, orange
Water need	High
Drought tolerance	Low
Maintenance	High
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 1 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	60 cm
For dogs	Toxic
For cats	Toxic
For children	Toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	from about €42

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. €42

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Shrubs for part shade Plants for containers Flowering shrubs

Looks good next to it

Heartleaf bergenia

Bergenia cordifolia

Black mondo grass

Ophiopogon planiscapus

Cranberry

Vaccinium macrocarpon