How do I fertilize an azalea plant?

We use Miracle Gro for flowering bushes. Miracle gro has various versions that are listed for flowers, bushes, trees, etc. at your local home improvement store or department store where they sell nursery items. The front of the package will usually indicate which type to use and the back will list them in more detail.

Hi Bob,

Unless you're located in a warmer climate, it's generally advised to wait until Spring to fertilize, so as not to risk freeze damage to new growth.

The best time to fertilize is right after spring bloom.

This spring application may be all you need, but if you live in an area with a lot of rainfall and a long growing season, you may want to make a second application in mid to late summer, making sure not to fertilize after August 1st.

In spring, just after the blooms fade, apply mulch and fertilize with a controlled-release, acid-forming fertilizer such as cottonseed meal or commercial azalea/camellia food. Do not mulch in fall; this will hold heat in the soil and delay the onset of dormancy, increasing the chances of winter damage.

Magnesium in the form of Epsom salts is sometimes recommended ... Magnesium is an essential element and lack of it will cause yellowish areas between green leaf veins on older leaves. If the leaves are a solid green the addition of Epsom salts would not be useful.

I have huge gardens so don't bother with "babying" each individual plant after it's established. I'm in south FL so we don't have much dormancy at all. I pretty much only use Epsom salts when I also feed my palms. March, June, Sept., and Dec. (or thereabouts lol! 😎🌳)

I sprinkle coffee grounds around mine and spray with MiracleGrow azalea food.

For use on all acid loving plants, Espoma Organic Holly-tone directions:

• Feed in the Spring and late Fall at half the Spring rate.
• Blooming evergreens like azaleas and rhododendron are best fed in the spring at the first hint of bloom color.
• Berry crops should be fed twice; early spring and late spring (45-60 days apart).
• Never apply fertilizer to frozen soils