How to Repot Azaleas

Azaleas can grow for years if taken care of properly.

Azaleas are richly colored plants that are beautiful in the garden or pot. Azaleas have specific requirements in order to thrive and potted azaleas must be given a large enough pot to provide the roots with adequate room and drainage. When repotting an azalea it is important to limit the shock to the plant. Failure to do so could cause the blooms and foliage to wilt and, in severe cases, the plant may die.

Things You'll Need

• Potting soil
• Pot
• Mulch
• Water

Instructions

1. Fill the pot half full with potting soil. Azaleas prefer loose, well-drained soil, according to the Azalea Society of America. If using straight potting mixture it may be necessary mix in some organic mulch to create a looser soil mix. Up to 50 percent of the potting mixture can be mulch. Additionally, you may want to use a potting mix for acid-loving plants, or mix sphagnum peat moss into your standard potting soil, advises North Dakota State University Extension.

2. Remove the azalea from the current pot by tilting the pot upside down and gently shaking the plant out of the pot. Do not pull the azalea from the pot as this could damage the roots. It is okay if dirt falls away from the roots but don't shake the dirt off as a large clump of falling dirt could damage the roots.

3. Place the azalea roots on top of the potting dirt and mulch mixture in the new pot.

4. Steady the plant with one hand and scoop dirt in around the plant with the other. Don't pack the dirt around the plant; simply fill in the gaps as azaleas do best with loose soil.

5. Fill the pot the rest of the way to the rim with mulch. Leave an inch of space around the stem of the azalea without any mulch. Water the repotted azalea slowly and evenly, and water every day for a week in the same manner, advises the Azalea Society of America. The water helps settle the soil and provides the disturbed roots with easy access to water until they have had a chance to spread into the new soil.

Tips & Warnings

• Potted indoor azaleas should flower once a year, according to NDSU Extension.

References

• Azalea Society of America: FAQ About Azaleas
• North Dakota State University: Hortiscope-Questions on Azaleas