Yes, camellias in pots grow just fine when you give them the right setup. You need a large container, acidic soil, and good drainage holes at the bottom. Potted camellias are a great option if you don't have garden beds or if your native soil is too alkaline for these acid-loving plants.
I've grown a japonica in a big clay pot on my back patio for four years now. It blooms every winter just like my plants in the ground do. The main thing I noticed is that potted camellias dry out faster in summer than ground-planted ones. I water mine three times a week during July and August to keep the soil moist. The pot also makes it easy to move the plant into better shade when a spot gets too hot. I love that I can shift it around the patio with the seasons.
Your container needs to be at least 18 inches (45.7 cm) wide to give the roots room to spread. Go even bigger if you can. A 24-inch pot gives your camellia even more room and holds moisture longer between waterings. Make sure the pot has drainage holes at the bottom. If water pools inside, your roots will rot fast. I drilled extra holes in a glazed pot that only had one and it made a big difference for my plant.
Use ericaceous compost as your potting mix. Regular potting soil runs too alkaline for camellias. Mix in some perlite at about 20% to keep the soil loose and fast-draining. The RHS says to water your container camellias with rainwater when you can. Tap water in many areas is alkaline and will raise the pH of your soil over time. Set a bucket out during rain and use that collected water for your potted plants first.
Container camellia care changes with the seasons throughout the year. Here's what your plant needs at each stage.
Winter care for potted camellias matters more than for ground-planted ones. The roots in a pot sit above ground and get colder than buried roots do. Move your pot against a south-facing wall when temps start dropping. Wrap the pot with bubble wrap or burlap to keep the root ball from freezing solid. Water less in winter but never let the soil go bone dry since your plant still needs some moisture to keep its buds alive.
Potted camellia growing works best outdoors in most cases. Indoor camellias struggle because they need cool winter temps to set flower buds. If you bring yours inside, keep it in an unheated room or cool porch where temps stay between 40-50°F (4-10°C). A heated living room is too warm and your plant won't bloom well. Outdoors is almost always the better and simpler choice for your camellia if you live in zones 7 or above.
Repot your camellia every 2-3 years into a pot one size bigger than the last. Use fresh ericaceous compost each time. Trim any roots that circle the edges of the root ball before you repot. This keeps your plant growing strong for many years. I tested moving up from an 18-inch to a 24-inch pot and my camellia doubled its bloom count the next winter. Give your potted camellia room and the right soil and it'll thrive for decades right on your patio or balcony.
Read the full article: Camellia Flower: A Complete Guide
