How to Grow Camellias From Seed

A cut camellia flower

Camellias are evergreen shrubs and small trees that are grown for their red, white or pink flowers. Though camellias are easy to grow from seeds, they take between 5 and 7 years to bloom, according to the Southern California Camellia Society. For the best results, plant your camellia seeds in the summer, right after they are produced, since they rapidly lose their potency. You can tell seeds are mature and ready to plant by their black or dark brown color.

Things You'll Need

• Camellia seeds
• Plastic bag
• Pot
• Potting mix containing peat

Instructions

1. Fill your pot with potting mix. Make sure there is a hole in the bottom of the pot for drainage. Add water to the mix to ensure proper drainage.

2. Add at least two seeds to your pot to make sure you get healthy growth. Plant your seeds with the "eye" side down.

3. Cover your seeds with more soil. Mist the top layer of the pot to add moisture and cover with plastic bag.

4. Allow the seeds to germinate in a place where the temperature is around 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

5. Take the plastic bag off when the seed sprouts. Place the pot in a window where it is warm and gets a lot of sun.

Tips & Warnings

• Once the winter passes and there is no danger of frost, transplant the camellia into your garden or into a larger, permanent pot.

• Keep the camellia seedlings well-moisturized. If the soil dries out, there is a good chance your seedlings won't make it.

References

• Alabama Cooperative Extension: The Culture of Camellias
• Southern California Camellia Society: Growing Camellia From Seed