Light: Bright filtered shade; gentle early-morning sun only in cooler months. Protect from afternoon sun, reflected heat, and hot, drying winds.
Water: Keep the root zone evenly moist but never soggy. Check frequently during Phoenix summers; water when the surface begins to dry. Low-alkalinity water is preferable to alkaline tap water.
Soil: Acidic, organically rich, well-drained soil, ideally pH 5.5–6.5. In Phoenix, a large container with an acidic camellia mix is usually more practical than native alkaline soil. Keep the root crown above the soil line.
Mature size: Approximately 6–10 feet tall and 6–8 feet wide under favorable conditions; usually smaller in containers.
Bloom: Late winter through spring, depending on conditions. Phoenix heat and moisture stress may reduce flowering or cause buds to drop.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen.
Growth rate: Slow to moderate under favorable conditions; often slow in Phoenix.