Even though the camellia is often considered hardy, most species can only tolerate a little frost. Therefore, it is not uncommon for camellias to occasionally freeze or suffer major frost damage when left to overwinter in the garden.
How do I protect a camellia from frost damage?
Camellias can tolerate temperatures down to around -5 °C and should be protected in winter to avoid frost damage. If the damage is light, they can recover; if the damage is more severe, pruning in spring is recommended. Potted plants should overwinter frost-free.
Many camellia varieties can tolerate temperatures down to around -5 °C, at least for a short period of time. It shouldn't get much colder than that, unless you have purchased a really hardy new breed. Icy winds and/or a wet winter are major risk factors for a camellia's survival outdoors. It should definitely be protected from this.
How do I treat frost damage on a camellia?
First, protect your camellia from further damage. If possible, move the plant to a more sheltered location. This is certainly not a problem with a potted plant. If, on the other hand, the camellia is outdoors in already frozen ground, then wrap the plant loosely with a special plant fleece (€72.00 on Amazon) or with bubble wrap. Any pruning should only be done in late spring.
Where should I overwinter my camellia?
A camellia in a pot should ideally be frost-free over the winter. The same applies to a young plant that is still sensitive to frost. Maybe you have a slightly heated greenhouse or a cool winter garden, then put your camellia there. The temperature should be around + 5 °C, in no case warmer than 12 °C. A camellia needs a certain cold stimulus, otherwise it won't bloom.
How do I care for my camellia in winter?
The camellia is an evergreen plant, so it needs enough water to survive even in winter. However, the required amount is less than in summer. However, very calcareous tap water is not suitable because the camellia prefers a slightly acidic environment. Fertilizing is not necessary during the winter break.
The most important things in brief:
- overwinter young camellia and potted plant frost-free
- Winterize older camellias to prevent frost damage
- Low frost (down to -5 °C) usually harmless for a short time
Tip
Most camellia species can tolerate mild frost, at least for a short time.
