How to Grow Camellias From Seed

Throughout my years of gardening, I’ve found that growing camellias from seed is a rewarding but patience-testing endeavor. Camellias grow very slowly and can take years to bloom, so growing them from seed is an exercise in patience.

In this guide, I’ll share my knowledge of how to grow camellias from seed. I’ll talk about the common problems and give you practical tips to make sure you succeed.

Where Can You Get Camellia Seeds?

You can get camellia seeds from several sources. The most accessible is harvesting them directly from mature camellia plants in fall — ask your neighbors before you go picking off their plants.

You can also purchase seeds from reputable nurseries or online gardening suppliers. Some botanical gardens, camellia forest nurseries, and camellia societies offer seeds through seed exchange programs. Always ensure you’re collecting or buying fresh, viable seeds for the best chances of successful germination.

Growing Camellias From Seeds Steps

Here are some tips on how to grow camellias from seed:

Let Seeds Ripen

Camellia seed pods typically ripen in early fall, but they can ripen whenever camellias are blooming. Wait until the pods open before harvesting the seeds. One way to do this is to tie a bag of loose cloth (such as cheesecloth or the end of a pair of pantyhose) lightly around the pod so it will catch the seeds when they fall. Or you can pick them up off the ground.

Mature camellia seeds should be brown, with a tough shell and an “eye” on one end. For help identifying camellia seed pods and seeds, check out this camellia identification guide from the University of Florida.

Plant Immediately

Plant camellia seeds soon after harvesting. They shouldn’t be allowed to dry out, and some growers like to soak the seeds overnight before planting. If you must store camellia seeds, put them in the fridge in an airtight bag.

Planting Seeds

To plant camellia seeds, you’ll need a light seed-starting mix or a mixture of perlite and peat moss. Wet the planting mix and squeeze out the excess water, then place it in pots. Plant your camellia seeds by placing them on top of the planting mix with the eye facing either down or sideways, and cover lightly with soil.

Cover the pots with plastic, and place them in a warm spot with bright indirect light. Keep the soil moist but not soggy.

If you prefer, you can germinate camellia seeds in a plastic bag with a handful of soil, then plant them in pots once they germinate. This allows you to focus only on the seeds that are viable.

Be Patient

Camellia seeds can take from one to several months to sprout, and they often sprout roots before leaves, so it takes even longer to see progress aboveground during the first year.

Cut the Root

Camellias grow a long taproot that can be stunted if the plants are grown in pots. Once a plant has sprouts above ground, it’s common practice to gently dig up the seedlings and pinch off the tip of this taproot to encourage the roots to branch out into more of a ball.

Allow To Grow

Camellia seedlings can take five to seven years to bloom, and they likely will not be exactly like the parent plant (for example, Camellia sasanqua seeds may yield a Camellia japonica plant). You can shave a year or two off the process by looking around under your camellias for seedlings that have sprouted on their own and gently transplanting them to pots or into your yard.

How Often To Water Camellias

Generally, camellias prefer consistently moist but not waterlogged soil. Water deeply once or twice a week, depending on your climate and soil type. During hot, dry periods, increase your watering frequency to help with propagation.

In the winter, reduce watering as the plants enter dormancy. Always check the soil moisture before watering to avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.

Do Camellias Live in All Climates?

Camellias aren’t suitable for all climates. They thrive in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 6-10 — preferring mild temperatures and protection from harsh winds. Camellias struggle in extremely cold or hot climates. In colder regions, you can propagate camellias in containers and move them indoors during winter until early spring.

Final Thoughts

You can grow camellias from seeds by harvesting or obtaining seeds, planting them correctly, watering as needed, and checking the soil moisture frequently. With some time and effort, you can successfully cultivate these beautiful plants. Remember that while the process of growing camellias from seed is slow, the reward of nurturing a unique plant from its very beginning with your new horticultural skills is unparalleled.

Further Information

• How to Grow Camellias (article)
• Camellia: Seed and Seedlings (International Camellia Society)
• Growing From Seeds (mobilecamellia.org)