What To Do With A Potted Azalea?

Question

Got a beautiful azalea for Christmas. Too cold to plant outside. How do I keep it alive till spring?

Answer 1

You can, certainly, grow this as a houseplant until you can put it out for the year! Here is an article that will help:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/azalea/growing-azalea-houseplants.htm

These articles will give you more information on the care of the plant:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/azalea

Answer 2

Maintain the soil as evenly moist (not dry but not soggy or wet either. Only water when the top few inches of the soil begin to feel dry. Place it near a south facing window/glass door. In Spring 2022, plant it outside in the ground or move the pot outside if it will be hardy in your Zone 7a near Red Banks. I would suggest doing those things once there is no chance of frost; your average date of last frost in the last week of April. Maintain 2-4" of organic mulch if planted outside in morning sun only conditions or in dappled sun. My recommended fertilizer for newly planted azaleas: Espoma Holly-tone per label directions. Note: some azaleas may lose foliage during winter inside but will regrow foliage in the spring.