PlantFiles: Indian Azalea
Rhododendron simsii

A nice plant, although not as tender as you might be led to believe, especially considering it is best known as a houseplant. This plant grows well outside in western coastal UK 'zone 9a', and takes what frosts we do get fairly well. If you live in a fairly mild area, that maybe gets a low of -5C a few times (2-5 times) each winter (here it is about -2C as absolute minimum temperature, around 2 times each winter), then give it a go outside. It is also coming into flower now, but if planted in the ground like mine, it does have a tendency to become leggy becuase of its freedom to grow..

This is a gorgeous plant for growing indoors. Is has long lasting double flowers - up to 2 months, in a variety of colors, even spotted or striped, and has a bushy compact form, with glossy, dark green leaves. I grow mine on a north-east oriented balcony and they're doing great. I believe they can be also grown with success indoors on a eastern or southern window, if the room temperature is about 20-25 C. They can't stand a hot, dry atmosphere. Moreover, their root system is very thick and develops very quickly, so they need an adequate pot to grow well. A fitting clay pot is fairly good.