Why Your Azalea is Dying and How to Revive it
Do you have an azalea that's dying in your yard or garden, and aren't quite sure how to bring it back to life? There are many reasons an azalea can struggle, but the good news is that reviving them is possible. In this article, gardening expert Jill Drago walks through seven steps to bring your azaleas back if they've started to decline.
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Azaleas are well-loved around the world and have become a staple in many home gardens. Azaleas are easy enough to grow, but sometimes they can start to decline for several different reasons. So what should you do when your azalea starts to die?
Many reasons azaleas struggle are simply due to their growing conditions. Luckily for most gardeners, these reasons are easy to fix. This could include adjusting your watering schedule, possibly moving the plant, or other simple changes.
The list below has the most common reasons your plant may be suffering, and how to revive a dying azalea. Ready to learn more? Let’s dig in!
Improper Watering
Azaleas have shallow roots. This makes the amount of water the plant receives very important. The roots can easily dry out, or become waterlogged depending on your watering routine.
Newly planted azaleas can be victims of incorrect watering, whether it be too much water or too little. You may also find shrubs that are planted in windy areas tend to dry out quickly. Mulching around the base of your azaleas will help retain moisture.
How to Fix
If the leaves on your azalea are drooping, you probably need to increase the amount of water the shrub is getting. Azaleas need about one inch of water per week. If you are unsure how much water your plants are getting you can install a rain gauge and check it on a weekly basis.
If your dying azalea has dried out, the best way to revive it is to water slowly and deeply to ensure that the maximum amount of water is reaching the roots.
When the roots of your azalea appear to be soft and mushy, your azalea has been overwatered. Give your plants a break and allow the soil around the roots to dry out a bit before you resume your regular watering routine. If the problem persists, it may not be possible to revive your dying azalea. Pull the plant and start again next season.
Too Much Sun
Some azaleas are tolerant of full sun, but most prefer partial shade. If your azalea does not get a break from the sun your plants will be smaller, and the flowers will only last a few days. You may notice your leaves curling in on themselves, and turning brown or yellow. You could also notice more infestations of pests or diseases due to drought or heat stress.
How to Fix
If you believe that your shrubs are getting too much sun, your best option to revive dying azaleas is to transplant them. Find a spot in your garden where the azalea will get a break from the sun. You will likely notice that your plant will bounce back nicely once it is getting more shade which will also help the plant retain moisture.
Too Much Fertilizer
If your azalea leaves have brown tips and have begun to drop, you may have burned your plant with fertilizer. Azaleas should be fertilized in the spring or early summer with a basic 10-10-10 fertilizer.
You can also use a specialized fertilizer for acid-loving plants. Fertilizing is not necessary, but whatever method you choose, be sure not to fertilize after July.
How to Fix
When it comes to established azaleas, they really don’t need much. If your dying azalea is suffering from fertilizer burn, revive it by flushing out the fertilizer as soon as you can.
Once your plant has been sufficiently watered, snip off any of the leaves or plant material that have symptoms of burn. It may take a few months for the azalea to show recovery. Adding mulch to the base of the plant will help to protect the burned roots as well as hold in moisture.
Poor Soil
Azaleas thrive in acidic soil. Acidic soil ranges in pH from 5.5-6 or lower. If your soil is too alkaline, they will survive but they will not be at their best.
Azaleas grow best when they are planted in well draining soil. Well draining soil will be moist, but will drain easily and will not become wet or too soggy.
The reason azaleas like well-draining soil is because they are susceptible to root rot and do not like having “wet feet”. Root rot on azaleas will kill the plant from the roots up. Unfortunately, if your azalea has root rot, it may be too late to save it. But you can prevent it from happening.
How to Fix
Check the pH of your soil either by getting a soil test done, or by getting a pH reader from a garden center.
If your soil is too alkaline, you can acidify it by adding a soil acidifier such as garden sulfur. You can also mulch using pine needles, this can help to acidify your soil as well.
If your soil is too heavy or too sandy, add compost to alter the composition of your soil. This will allow water to flow more freely without drying out too quickly.
Wrong Plant, Wrong Place
Most azaleas are hardy in zones 5-9. The best way to know what variety you have is by reading the plant tag, or taking note of the variety so you can look it up later. Planting the wrong variety in the wrong zone will stunt growth and potentially damage the plant.
How to Fix
If you have found yourself in this predicament where your climate is either too cold or too hot, there is unfortunately no way to revive your dying azalea. The best thing to do is find a new plant that is suitable for your planting zone.
Problems with Pests
Azaleas are known to encounter some issues with pests such as caterpillars, leaf miners, lace bugs, nematodes, scale, and whiteflies.
You may notice that your leaves have been munched on, or maybe have turned unexpectedly yellow with no other explanation. These are just a few symptoms of pests on azaleas. Oftentimes, where you see insect damage, you will also see the insect.
How to Fix
Many pest infestations are easy to control if your plant is kept in good health. This means preventing stress by watering correctly, and ensuring that the plant is receiving enough nutrients through good quality soil or fertilizer.
The removal of infected plant tissue can always help, whether it’s leaves that have been chewed by leafminers or nibbled on by caterpillars. Some insects can be removed by hand, or by the spray of a hose. This is a way to revive a dying azalea without using chemical treatments. Simply knock the insects into a bucket of soapy water, and remove them from the area. A strong stream of water from a hose in the early morning works for some pests too.
Treat as needed, and be sure to read the label on whichever product you purchase you make sure you are using the correct application amount as well as timing.
Difficulty with Diseases
Azaleas are prone to fungal diseases that are common in any garden. Fungal diseases are spread through water: this could be rainfall or irrigation. Fungus could look like white mildew growing on all parts of your plant, galls that grow on flower petals or leaves, red spots on the leaves, or total death of a branch or two on your azalea.
How to Fix
Copper fungicides work well on fungal diseases. Be sure to read the label for application instructions and opt for cultural and preventative measures before spraying.
Prune and remove any infected plant material. Before you move on to pruning a new plant, be sure to clean all of your tools so you don’t spread the infection to other areas of your yard.
Remove the infected plant material from your yard if possible, but definitely do not add it to your compost. The fungus will continue to spread throughout your compost and your yard as you later spread that compost.
Key Takeaways
Many of the reasons your azalea could be struggling are easy to remedy with a closer look at your plant care regimen and a slight change to what you have been doing. Azaleas are easy to maintain, and their flowers are a welcome springtime sight.
The easiest way to grow a strong, healthy blooming shrub is to make sure you have them planted in a spot in your garden that suits all of the needs of the plant. Once you’ve done that, they will require very little from you.
