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Great Rhododendron

Also known as

Great Laurel, Great Laurel, Rosebay rhododendron, Great rhododendron, American rhododendron and Big rhododendron

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Rhododendron maximum

Genus

Rhododendron

Family

Ericaceae

Order

Ericales

How to care for Great Rhododendron

💦 Water

How often to water your Great Rhododendron

Great Rhododendron needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Great Laurel in your home

Great Rhododendron love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Great Rhododendron does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Great Rhododendron in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Great Rhododendron

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Great Rhododendron: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Great Rhododendron after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #GreatLaurel

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Great Rhododendron is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

How to Grow Great Laurel →

Benefits of Growing Great Laurel →

Common Great Laurel Problems →

Outdoor Care Guide for Great Laurel →

💦 Water Needs

Great Rhododendron prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Great Laurel Water Frequency →

Great Laurel Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Great Rhododendron requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Great Laurel Light Requirements →

Great Laurel Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Great Rhododendron is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. Great Rhododendron is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

Is Great Laurel Edible? →

Great Laurel Toxicity to Cats →

Great Laurel Toxicity to Dogs →

Great Laurel Toxicity to Humans →

💨 Humidity

Great Rhododendron doesn’t require additional humidity. Plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves, so the best way to provide humidity for your plants is through watering the soil.

Great Laurel Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Great Rhododendron is very sensitive to dry soil, so choose a potting soil that retains moisture. A good soil will still drain well and contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir or sphagnum moss.

Best Soil Mix for Great Laurel →

Best Pots for Great Laurel →

When and How to Successfully Repot Great Laurel →

What Are Healthy Great Laurel Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Great Rhododendron should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Great Laurel →

🌎 Native Region

Great Rhododendron is native to Asia and North America.

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Great Rhododendron grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

Great Laurel Lifecycle →

Great Laurel Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Great Laurel →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Great Rhododendron can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 3a-7b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Great Laurel Temperature Tolerance →

Great Laurel Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Great Laurel →

When to Plant Great Laurel →

How to Plant Great Laurel →

Where to Plant Great Laurel →

Winter Care for Great Laurel →

Best Companion Plants for Great Laurel →

Is Great Laurel a Weed? →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Great Rhododendron, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.