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Flower profile

Camellia

Quick facts

Botanical name: Camellia japonica. In SAF's language of flowers, camellia means graciousness.

Camellia at a glance

Meaning
graciousness
Colors
  • White
  • Pink
  • Red
  • Rose
  • Variegated
Season
Late fall through early spring depending on variety.
Special care
Cut or buy fully open flowers - buds rarely open after cutting. Handle gently; petals bruise. Float short-stemmed blooms in a shallow bowl or mist them. Keep cool and out of sun.
Size
An evergreen shrub with glossy dark leaves and rose-like flowers 3 to 5 inches across, semi-double to double
Also called
Japanese camellia, Common camellia

About camellias

An evergreen shrub with glossy dark leaves and rose-like flowers 3 to 5 inches across, semi-double to double. Flowers appear in cool months when little else is in bloom.

How to make camellias last

  1. Keep them cool until they are in water. Keep your flowers in a cool place until you can get them into a flower food solution.
  2. Fill a clean vase with water and flower food. Use a clean, deep vase and add the flower food from your florist, following the mixing directions on the packet.
  3. Remove leaves below the waterline. Leaves in water promote bacterial growth that can limit water uptake by the flower.
  4. Re-cut the stems. Remove one to two inches with a sharp knife or clippers that will not crush the stems, then place the flowers straight into the vase.
  5. For camellias. Cut or buy fully open flowers - buds rarely open after cutting. Handle gently; petals bruise. Float short-stemmed blooms in a shallow bowl or mist them. Keep cool and out of sun.
  6. Keep them in a cool spot. 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents and ceiling fans.

Care steps from SAF’s flower care tips. More flower care tips →

Camellias as a potted plant

Garden or large container shrub: part shade, acidic well-drained soil rich in organic matter, shelter from drying winter wind; prune right after flowering.

Questions about camellias

What does the camellia mean?

In the traditional language of flowers, the camellia stands for "graciousness".

What colors do camellias come in?

Camellias come in white, pink, red, rose and variegated.

How do you care for camellias?

Keep camellias cool until they are in water, use a clean vase with flower food, remove any leaves below the waterline, re-cut the stems by one to two inches and keep the vase at 65 to 72 degrees, away from direct sunlight and vents. For camellias: Cut or buy fully open flowers - buds rarely open after cutting. Handle gently; petals bruise. Float short-stemmed blooms in a shallow bowl or mist them. Keep cool and out of sun.

Where can I buy camellias?

From a local SAF member florist. Enter the recipient's ZIP code on this page to find florists near them.

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