Rhododendron Species, Indian Azalea

A nice plant, although not as tender as you might be led to believe, especially considering it is best known as a houseplant. This plant ...Read Moregrows well outside in western coastal UK 'zone 9a', and takes what frosts we do get fairly well. If you live in a fairly mild area, that maybe gets a low of -5C a few times (2-5 times) each winter (here it is about -2C as absolute minimum temperature, around 2 times each winter), then give it a go outside. It is also coming into flower now, but if planted in the ground like mine, it does have a tendency to become leggy becuase of its freedom to grow..

edit: In the winter of 2010 we recorded a new absolute record low of -10.5C, the Rhododendron was checked but did not die completely, it sprang back into life quickly in 2011 and is now a large plant which looks excellent all year around, and flowers without fail every late Spring.

It's worth noting the leaves on this plant often appear large when brought as a houseplant, however when planted in the ground they become smaller, at first I thought it was a climate issue, but it turns out the leaves are naturally small, not large like the force grown houseplants.

This is a gorgeous plant for growing indoors. Is has long lasting double flowers - up to 2 months, in a variety of colors, even spotted o...Read Morer striped, and has a bushy compact form, with glossy, dark green leaves. I grow mine on a north-east oriented balcony and they're doing great. I believe they can be also grown with success indoors on a eastern or southern window, if the room temperature is about 20-25 C. They can't stand a hot, dry atmosphere. Moreover, their root system is very thick and develops very quickly, so they need an adequate pot to grow well. A fitting clay pot is fairly good.