Roxie's Rhododendron Plant Care

Rhododendron roxieanum Forrest ex W.W.Sm.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Rhododendron roxieanum is a species of flowering plant in the family Ericaceae, native to central China and Tibet. Its variety Rhododendron roxieanum var.

🌿Shrubs
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Partial shade to full sun

Temp

40–70°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Roxie's Rhododendron?

Plant Roxie's Rhododendron in partial shade to full sun (USDA zones 11a) 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. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.

Where Is the Roxie's Rhododendron Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Roxie's Rhododendron?

Roxie's Rhododendron (Rhododendron roxieanum) belongs to the Ericaceae family within the Rhododendron genus. Roxie's Rhododendron is native to central China and Tibet.

Roxie's Rhododendron displays an upright, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 6 ft. Roxie's Rhododendron produces showy clusters of large, colorful blooms in various shades.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Roxie's Rhododendron?

Water a young or newly planted Roxie's Rhododendron 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 Roxie's Rhododendron Need?

Roxie's Rhododendron thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Light Requirement

Partial shade to full sun

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Roxie's Rhododendron Prefer?

Rhododendron roxieanum tolerates temperatures of 40–70°F. Roxie's Rhododendron prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

40–70°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Roxie's Rhododendron?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Roxie's Rhododendron?

Feed Roxie's Rhododendron 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 Roxie's Rhododendron?

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

Roxie's Rhododendron is suited to USDA Zone 11a.

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 Roxie's Rhododendron?

Roxie's Rhododendron can spread to about 6 ft (1.8 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 6 ft (1.8 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 Roxie's Rhododendron?

Prune Roxie's Rhododendron 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 Roxie's Rhododendron in Winter?

Roxie's Rhododendron is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 11). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Roxie's Rhododendron?

Roxie's Rhododendron can be propagated through stem cuttings, layering, grafting. Similar propagation techniques also apply to southern indica azalea plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Roxie's Rhododendron Toxic to Pets and Children?

Toxic (caution)

Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.

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 Roxie's Rhododendron?

Roxie's Rhododendron is susceptible to aphids, lace bugs, spider mites. 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 Roxie's Rhododendron Need?

Roxie's Rhododendron grows outdoors in USDA Zone 11a. It survives winters down to planting zone 11a. Roxie's Rhododendron is native to central China and Tibet. In cooler regions, grow Roxie's Rhododendron as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 11a

Keep exploring plants

Roxie's Rhododendron 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 Rhododendron genus — compare its care with other Rhododendron species on PlantoScan.

Rhododendron is part of the Ericaceae plant family — browse all Ericaceae genera and species.

Roxie's Rhododendron thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Rhododendron Species

Other Rhododendron species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Rhododendron roxieanum Forrest ex W.W.Sm., family Ericaceae (first published in Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 8: 344 (1915)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Roxie's Rhododendron is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 11a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • 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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