Camellias are beautiful evergreen shrubs that add beauty and structure to the garden, especially during the winter. Camellias are long-lived plants from the tea family (Theaceae) that like to take their time. In this article, we’ll discover how long camellias take to grow.
How Long Do Camellias Take to Grow?
Camellia plants are slow-growing evergreen shrubs or trees that take years to reach their full size. Most camellias won’t reach full maturity until a few years after they start producing flowers.
Some camellias grow more quickly than others. Most camellia cultivars found in gardens come from three main camellia species. Camellia sasanqua cultivars usually grow more quickly than Camellia japonica or Camellia sinensis cultivars.
Camellia sasanqua cultivars are the fastest-growing type of camellias. But even they only produce up to 12 inches of new growth every year. Although camellias grow slowly, most will start flowering within a few years. However, some camellia varieties may take up to five years to start flowering.
Camellias are native to parts of eastern and southeastern Asia, such as China, Japan, and Indonesia. They thrive in warm tropical or subtropical climates like USDA Zones 7 to 10. Camellias bloom from fall until spring in these warm climates, depending on the variety.
The slow-growing nature of camellias can be explained by their growth cycle. Camellias produce new flowers and leaves on new growth. After flowering, camellias spend most of the year developing the next year’s flower buds. This requires a lot of energy, so camellias grow slowly compared to many other evergreen shrubs.
How Long Can Camellias Live For?
Due to their slow-growing nature, camellias can live for decades and even centuries. Camellias were first cultivated in ancient Chinese and Japanese societies and were used extensively in imperial gardens. Some camellias still growing in the grounds of the Japanese imperial palace are over 500 years old.
How Tall and Wide Do Camellias Grow?
Most camellia species will grow 6 to 15 feet tall and approximately 6 to 10 feet wide. Most species grow as evergreen shrubs, although some camellias grow as trees reaching up to 50 feet tall. Several dwarf varieties have been developed that reach an average height of 2 to 6 feet.
However, due to their slow growth rate, many camellias take decades to reach their full height. Camellia japonica varieties can take up to a hundred years to reach 25 feet high.
Factors Influencing How Fast Camellias Grow
Although camellias grow slowly, providing ideal conditions helps them grow quickly. Contrary to popular belief, camellia shrubs aren’t difficult to grow as long as you meet their basic needs. Here are some factors to keep in mind when growing camellias:
Soil Conditions
Camellias are particularly fussy about soil conditions. They need acidic soils with a pH range between 5.0 and 6.5. Camellias also need rich, moist soils with plenty of nutrients. However, the soil still needs to be well-draining so that it doesn’t become waterlogged.
Sunlight
Most camellias require partial shade, although some prefer full shade. Camellia sasanqua cultivars grow well in full sun. Camellias prefer morning sunlight rather than intense afternoon sun. Camellias also need a sheltered spot that protects the flower buds from cold winds.
Fertilizer
Camellias don’t require much fertilizer to grow well. If you want to fertilize your camellia, apply a dose of ericaceous fertilizer once flowering finishes. This provides nutrients to kickstart the development of next year’s flower buds.
Pruning
Camellias should only be pruned once a year straight after flowering finishes. Due to the slow growth rate of camellias, pruning is mainly about shaping the plant. Pruning camellias later in the year runs the risk of removing the developing flower buds.
Camellia Growth Rate FAQs:
Do Camellias Grow Fast or Slow?
Camellias are slow-growing shrubs that take decades to reach full size. Even the fastest-growing camellias only produce approximately 12 inches of new growth per year.
How Many Years Does it Take a Camellia to Bloom?
Most camellias bloom after a few years. However, some camellia cultivars take five years or more to start producing flowers.
What Camellias Grow Quickest?
Camellia sasanqua is the fastest-growing camellia species. Cultivars of this species also flower earlier than other camellias.
Wrapping Up:
Camellias are slow-growing evergreen shrubs that take decades to reach their full size. Even the fastest-growing camellias only add about 12 inches of height each year. Camellias only become mature a few years after they begin flowering.
For more, see our in-depth guide on the meaning and symbolism of camellias and discover our favorite types of red, white, and pink camellia flowers.
Edd is a budding content writer and gardener living in the United Kingdom. He has a bachelor's degree in Creative and Professional Writing and has written for several gardening publications online. He is passionate about nature and sustainability with a focus on gardening and wildlife.
Comments are closed.