Japanese Camellia
Camellia japonica
Monrovia® varieties
Varieties We Carry
J Nuccio's Bella RossaCamellia japonicaMonroviaJ Bob HopeCamellia japonicaMonroviaJ Colonel FireyCamellia japonicaMonrovia
Sizes & Pricing
#2MonroviaFrom$69.95
#5MonroviaFrom$99.95
#5 - SQUATMonroviaFrom$99.95
Fresh this week. Last restocked Jun 15.
LightPart Shade, Full Shade
WaterModerate
Mature size6-12 feet × 6-10 feet
About Japanese Camellia
Japanese Camellia (Camellia japonica) is a slow-growing evergreen shrub prized for its large, formal, rose-like blooms that open in the cool of winter and early spring. Unlike the sun-loving, fall-blooming sasanqua, japonica prefers dappled shade and richer, acidic soil, making it a classic Southern understory and woodland-edge plant. Starting at $69.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Winter to Early Spring
- Flower Color
- Red, Pink, White
- Growth Rate
- Slow
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- Acidic, Loam, Well-drained
Care essentials
Light
Plant in part to full shade with protection from hot afternoon sun and drying wind; morning sun is fine. Too much direct sun scorches the leaves and buds.
Water
Keep the soil evenly moist, especially while budding and blooming; do not let it dry out or go soggy. A 2 to 3 inch mulch layer keeps roots cool and moist.
Soil & Fertilizer
Needs rich, acidic, well-drained soil high in organic matter. Feed with an acid-forming azalea/camellia fertilizer after flowering.
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Common questions
Is Japanese Camellia a good plant for St. Augustine?
Japanese Camellia is a plant for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 6-12 feet × 6-10 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed June 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.