Azalea is a perennial grown for its blooms, which open in spring and return year after year. Its spring flowers are a moderate draw for honeybees, native bees, and butterflies.
Zones
Data not available
pH Range
4.5-6
Sun
Part Sun
Days to Maturity
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Score Azalea on your exact land.
Zone averages can't see the slope, soil, frost, and sun that decide whether azalea actually takes — and those shift from one yard to the next. Enter your address and we'll score azalea against your land's real conditions.
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What Azalea is
Azalea grows as a perennial and reaches around eight feet at maturity. It blooms in spring.
How to grow Azalea
Azalea does best in part sun — at least 4 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 4.5 to 6, on well-drained ground. It needs about 400 hours of winter chill, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
Data not available
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
4.5 - 6
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Part Sun
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
well (dry spells)
plant_species_v5.csv
Mature Height
8 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Chill Hours
400+
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost-Free Days
0+
plant_species_v5.csv
Start the season right
Plant azalea in part sun with at least 4 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.
Match the soil
Azalea prefers pH 4.5 to 6 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. A 2–3 inch mulch layer holds moisture without waterlogging.
Harvest at its peak
Cut azalea blooms in the cool of the morning, just as they open, for the longest display.
Good to know
One caution for pet owners — azalea is toxic to dogs and cats and horses (severe severity). Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency. (Source: ASPCA.)
Azalea offers moderate value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership.)
Where Azalea thrives
Whether azalea thrives on a given site comes down to its soil pH, drainage, sun, and frost dates — the conditions that vary parcel to parcel.
See if Azalea will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether azalea actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
We read public map data for this spot — soil, climate, flood, and parcel records. How we handle your address.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Azalea in my zone?
Zone data for azalea is being finalized. A Growable Ground report checks your parcel's full suitability against federal soil, climate, and zone data.
When should you plant Azalea?
Most growers plant azalea after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Azalea need?
Azalea does well in partial sun — around 4 hours of direct sun, and it takes some afternoon shade in stride. That flexibility makes it a good match for a bed the house or a nearby tree shades for part of the day. A Growable Ground report maps how the sun actually falls on your land, hour by hour, so you can set it where the light lines up.
What soil does Azalea need?
Azalea prefers soil pH 4.5 to 6, on well-drained ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Azalea attract pollinators?
Yes — azalea's flowers are a solid nectar source for honeybees, native bees, and butterflies (Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership).
Is Azalea safe for pets?
Azalea is toxic to pets (dogs,cats,horses) with severe severity. Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency.