How to Care for an Azalea Bush Indoors
Whether you receive an azalea bush gift, put one in your office to brighten up the room or have the azalea as part of your houseplant collection, keep it healthy with a simple care routine. Azaleas naturally bloom outdoors in the spring and early summer, but greenhouse production methods ensure that blooming azalea bushes for indoor display are available year round. Greenhouse-grown azaleas require ample water, light and occasional plant food to maintain their shiny green foliage. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Remove colored foil wrapping, ribbons and other paraphernalia from around the azalea bush pot. Set the pot on a dish or tray to collect moisture that may accumulate when you water.
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Water the azalea bush frequently and thoroughly. Place the potted plant in a sink or over a tray. Add water until it starts to out the bottom. Allow the plant to drain for an hour before returning it to its location. Check the soil daily with your finger to ensure it stays moist.
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Keep the potted azalea bush near a window where it receives indirect sunlight for 4-6 hours a day. Set the plant far enough away from the window that it does not get overheated in the sun's direct rays.
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Fertilize the azalea bush once every 2 weeks. Use an all-purpose houseplant food mixed according to the manufacturers' label instructions.
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Pinch off azalea flowers as they turn brown. Grasp the base of the flower between your thumbnail and forefinger, then squeeze. Discard the flowers as soon as they are removed from the azalea plant.
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Prune and remove any branches that become broken or damaged. Use sharp garden pruners to make a clean cut.
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Tips & Warnings
Indoor azalea plants are typically discarded after they bloom, but may be forced to rebloom the next spring if re-potted, placed in a cool spot for 5-6 weeks and then placed in a warm, sunny location.
