If you want your camellias to show off those stunning, lush blooms, it all starts with the soil. Whether you’re planting them directly in your garden beds or keeping them in containers, getting the foundation right is key. You can go with a high-quality store-bought mix or channel your inner scientist and mix your own—it’s totally up to you!
Substrate Properties
No matter where you decide to place your camellia, the soil needs to check a few specific boxes:
- Loose and well-draining
- Acidic to slightly acidic (pH level between 4.5 and 5.5)
- Low-lime or lime-free
- Rich in organic matter (humus)
In Containers
When it comes to growing a camellia in a pot, you’ve got a few great options for your potting medium:
- Rhododendron or azalea potting mix
- Ericaceous (acid-loving) soil
- DIY soil blends
Rhododendron or Azalea Soil
Using a specialized rhododendron mix is a fantastic shortcut because these plants share almost identical needs with camellias. For the best results, I recommend mixing 3 parts of this specialty soil with 1 part coarse sand (like builder’s sand) or lava grit to really boost that drainage.
Ericaceous Soil
Standard ericaceous or “moor-bed” soil is ready to go right out of the bag—no extra tweaking necessary.
DIY Soil Recipes
Recipe 1:
- 6 parts white peat
- 1 part green compost
- 1 part expanded clay pebbles
- 1 part sand
- 1 part bark compost
Recipe 2:
- 1 part compost
- 1 part garden soil
- 1 part peat
- A handful of lava grit or coarse sand mixed in
Recipe 3:
- 1 part acidic peat
- 1 part coarse leaf mold
- 1 part lime-free compost
Recipe 4:
- 4 parts lime-free loam
- 2 parts leaf compost or peat
- 1 part coarse sand
- 1 handful of bone meal per bucket
Recipe 5:
- Compost
- Peat or “needle mold” (the acidic soil found under spruce or pine trees)
- A bit of loam
In Garden Beds
Let’s be honest: standard garden dirt usually doesn’t cut it for camellias. You’ll need to amend your soil to keep them happy. You can use:
- Rhododendron soil
- Ericaceous soil
- Your own custom mix
Rhododendron Soil
This specialty mix ensures the roots stay in that “sweet spot” of acidity. When planting your camellia outside:
- Fill the planting hole halfway with rhododendron soil.
- Set your camellia in place.
- Fill the rest of the hole with the specialty soil.
Ericaceous Soil
This specialized soil should be thoroughly worked into your existing garden soil to lower the pH.
Custom Garden Mixes
A tried-and-true ratio for planting in the ground is:
- 1/3 garden soil
- 1/3 compost
- 1/3 peat (or a peat substitute)
Planting Your Camellia
Whether you are potting it up or digging a hole in the yard, always start with a drainage layer of grit or lime-free gravel at the bottom. Follow that with a thick layer of your chosen soil mix. Once the plant is in, backfill with your specialty or DIY mix to give those roots the best start possible!
