Evergreen Azalea Plant Care

Evergreen Azalea (Azalea falconeri) belongs to the Ericaceae family within the Azalea genus. Evergreen Azalea is native to the eastern Himalayas.

Evergreen Azalea displays a compact, mounding shrub growth habit, reaching up to 5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 5 ft. Evergreen Azalea produces showy, colorful blooms in various shades of pink, red, white, or purple.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Evergreen Azalea every 4–7 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Evergreen Azalea thrives in filtered sunlight or partial shade. Avoid placing Evergreen Azalea in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Azalea falconeri tolerates temperatures of 45–75°F. Evergreen Azalea prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining acidic soil with high organic matter content, such as peat moss or pine bark. Good drainage is essential for Evergreen Azalea to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Evergreen Azalea every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with filtered sunlight or partial shade and well-draining acidic soil with high organic matter content, such as peat moss or pine bark. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Evergreen Azalea is suited to USDA Zone 8a – 9b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Evergreen Azalea can spread to about 5 ft (1.5 m) and reach about 5 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 5 ft (1.5 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Evergreen Azalea while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Evergreen Azalea is hardy down to USDA zone 8a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Evergreen Azalea can be propagated through softwood cuttings, layering, seeds.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Evergreen Azalea is susceptible to spider mites, lace bugs, caterpillars. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Evergreen Azalea grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Evergreen Azalea is native to the eastern Himalayas.