Photo: Lauren McLaurinCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Sasanqua Camellia Plant Care
Camellia sasanqua Thunb.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Camellia sasanqua, with common name sasanqua camellia, is a species of Camellia native to southern Japan. It is usually found growing up to an altitude of 900 m (3,000 ft).
Every 7–14 days
Partial shade to full sun
40–70°F
50–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Sasanqua Camellia?
Plant Sasanqua Camellia in partial shade to full sun (USDA zones 7a–10a) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 40–70°F (4–21°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Sasanqua Camellia Native To?
What Is the Sasanqua Camellia?
Sasanqua Camellia (Camellia sasanqua) belongs to the Theaceae family within the Camellia genus. Sasanqua Camellia is native to southern Japan. Sasanqua Camellia is also known as Autumn Camellia.
Sasanqua Camellia displays an upright, dense shrub growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Sasanqua Camellia produces large, showy blooms in various colors like white, pink, red.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Sasanqua Camellia?
Water a young or newly planted Sasanqua Camellia every 7–14 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.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Sasanqua Camellia Need?
Sasanqua Camellia thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Sasanqua Camellia Prefer?
Camellia sasanqua tolerates temperatures of 40–70°F. Sasanqua Camellia prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
40–70°F
Humidity
50–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Sasanqua Camellia?
Well-draining, acidic soil rich in organic matter like peat moss or pine bark. Good drainage is essential for Sasanqua Camellia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Sasanqua Camellia?
Feed Sasanqua Camellia 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.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Sasanqua Camellia?
Choose a spot with partial shade to full sun and well-draining, acidic soil rich in organic matter like peat moss or pine bark. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Sasanqua Camellia is suited to USDA Zone 7a – 10a.
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.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Sasanqua Camellia?
Sasanqua Camellia can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 10 ft (3 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 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.
How Do You Prune a Sasanqua Camellia?
Prune Sasanqua Camellia 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.
How Do You Care for a Sasanqua Camellia in Winter?
Sasanqua Camellia is hardy down to USDA zone 7a, 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.
How Do You Propagate a Sasanqua Camellia?
Sasanqua Camellia can be propagated through seeds, semi-hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to camellia plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Sasanqua Camellia Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Sasanqua Camellia, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Sasanqua Camellia?
Sasanqua Camellia is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, tea scale. 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Sasanqua Camellia Need?
Sasanqua Camellia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 7a – 10a. It survives winters down to planting zone 7a. Sasanqua Camellia is native to southern Japan.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 7a – 10a
Keep exploring plants
Sasanqua Camellia is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Camellia genus — compare its care with other Camellia species on PlantoScan.
Camellia is part of the Theaceae plant family — browse all Theaceae genera and species.
Sasanqua Camellia thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Camellia sasanqua Thunb., family Theaceae (first published in Nova Acta Regiae Soc. Sci. Upsal. iv. 39 (1783); Thunb. Fl. Jap. 273 (1784).) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Sasanqua Camellia, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Lauren McLaurin, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 7a – 10a, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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