Camellia Flowers

Camellia flowers (genus Camellia) are evergreen shrubs or small trees prized for glossy foliage and rose‑like blooms that open from late fall through spring. Native to East Asia and related to the tea plant (C. sinensis), popular garden species include C. japonica, C. sasanqua, and C. reticulata. They symbolize refined beauty, devotion, and enduring love across Chinese, Japanese, and Korean cultures.

Occasions & recipients

Find flowers by occasion

Best occasions

  • Anniversaries and romantic celebrations
  • Winter and early‑spring weddings
  • Chinese/Lunar New Year gifting
  • Mother’s Day or appreciation gifts
  • Housewarming or hostess gifts

Suitable for

  • Romantic partners or spouses
  • Close friends
  • Mentors and teachers
  • Family elders/parents
  • Esteemed colleagues or hosts
Color taboos
  • In Japan, red camellias are often avoided for hospital visits because the whole flower drops at once, symbolically ill‑omened.
  • White camellias can read as mourning/funeral flowers in parts of East and Southeast Asia.
  • All‑red camellia arrangements may be considered too intense or unlucky for somber occasions in some traditions.
  • Pure white bouquets may be avoided for celebratory events in cultures where white is linked to bereavement.
Card messages
  • With this camellia, I celebrate your refined beauty and the steady love we share.
  • May these winter blooms brighten your day—thank you for your kindness and constant support.
  • To a mentor I admire: your guidance and grace inspire me, season after season.
  • For our anniversary: like the camellia, our devotion endures through every season.
  • Wishing you calm and strength—may these blooms bring serenity and hope.

At a glance

Key details
Botanical info
Taxonomy

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Distribution
Native to China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and northern Vietnam; now extensively cultivated in temperate regions worldwide (e.g., southeastern USA, coastal Pacific states, Mediterranean Europe, Australia, and New Zealand).
Conservation
Widely cultivated and not globally threatened as a group, but several wild Camellia species are IUCN‑listed as Vulnerable/Endangered due to habitat loss. Source nursery‑propagated plants and support botanical garden conservation collections.
Gifting & etiquette
Presentation etiquette
Keep blooms cool and handle gently to avoid bruising; remove foliage below the waterline for cut stems and display away from heat vents. Corsage blooms are traditionally wired/pinned due to short stems. In Japan, avoid gifting red camellias to patients and be mindful that whole flowers drop at once, which some associate with ill omen. Present potted plants with care instructions for acidic soil and bright, indirect light.
Ideal delivery time
Deliver in the cool part of the day during peak bloom season (late fall to early spring). For potted plants, present when buds are showing color but not fully open; for cut blooms, deliver fresh in the morning and keep cool, as camellia petals bruise easily.
Health & risk
Toxicity
Generally non‑toxic to humans and to pets (cats/dogs) when grown as ornamentals; ingestion is unlikely to cause serious issues. Tea camellia leaves contain caffeine if prepared as tea, but ornamental camellias are considered safe.
Allergenicity
Low. Camellias are insect‑pollinated with relatively heavy pollen and are seldom a trigger for hay fever compared with wind‑pollinated ornamentals.

Meaning & taboos

Symbolism & color
Camellias embody refined beauty, steadfast devotion, and the harmony of a balanced, enduring love—especially in winter when their elegant blooms symbolize grace through adversity.

Growing & tools

Care & gear
Growing tips
Plant in humus‑rich, well‑drained, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5–6.5) with consistent moisture and excellent mulch. Provide partial shade or morning sun with afternoon shade; shelter from harsh winds and early morning frost that can brown buds. Water deeply during late summer when next season’s flower buds form; avoid drought and waterlogging. Feed with an acid‑plant fertilizer after blooming. Prune lightly right after flowering to shape. Suitable for containers with ericaceous compost. Many cultivars are hardy in USDA Zones 7–9 (some into 6).
Recommended tools
  • Bypass hand pruners (prune right after flowering)
  • Ericaceous/acid‑plant fertilizer
  • Pine bark or leaf‑mold mulch
  • Soaker hose or watering can for deep, even moisture
  • Soil pH test kit or meter (target pH ~5.5–6.5)
Symbolizes
  • Devotion and fidelity
  • Refined beauty and elegance
  • Admiration and respect
  • Perfected love/perfection
  • Gratitude and appreciation
  • Longevity and good fortune