Rhododendron

Rhododendrons are really outdoor plants, but when they are young they make decorative pot plants in a cool room, producing beautiful rose like flowers in the early spring.

While your Rhododendron is indoors, keep it as cool as you can and make sure there is plenty of natural light but not direct sunlight. An East or West facing window is ideal.

Keep your Rhododendron well watered, the compost should feel wet to touch. After flowering your Rhododendron plant can be repotted in a larger pot with suitable compost and put outside on a patio or balcony or planted out into the ground. They like acid soil, so choose compost suitable for rhododendrons and heathers and other acid-loving plants. When planting Rhododendrons in the garden, choose a sheltered part-shaded position where you can see the colourful flowers. Try to avoid a situation where the early morning sun shines on frosted plants because this can spoil the flowers.

Over time Rhododendrons can grow into quite substantial specimens but this variety is semi-dwarf so you would expect it to reach around 3 or 4 foot when it is fully mature. Older plants are very hardy but young plants should be protected from frost.

Problem solving:

If your plant seems to be suffering indoors and prone to leaf drop, try putting it outside or in a cooler room. These are garden plants really and will always be happiest outdoors long term.