Sasanqua camellia Camellia sasanqua
Sasanqua camellia (Camellia sasanqua) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Theaceae family, native to Southern Japan and the Ryukyu Islands. It grows 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) tall and 1.2–2.5 m (3.9–8.2 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -12 °C (10 °F). Space plants about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart.
Plan Sasanqua camellia in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Sasanqua camellia at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Theaceae |
| Mature height | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.2–2.5 m (3.9–8.2 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -12 °C (10 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | from about October for 6–13 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: seed oil (tea-seed oil) |
| Native to | Southern Japan and the Ryukyu Islands |
| Common in gardens of | 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇨🇳 China, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Sasanqua camellia toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Camellias are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Sasanqua camellia
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Shared pests and diseases
- Phytophthora ramorum: Sudden oak death pathogen; rhododendron, viburnum, camellia and pieris spread it to oaks and larch. Evidence B
See Sasanqua camellia in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Missouri Botanical Garden (4 plants)
Questions about Sasanqua camellia
- How far apart should I plant Sasanqua camellia?
- About 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.2–2.5 m (3.9–8.2 ft).
- Does Sasanqua camellia need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Sasanqua camellia need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Sasanqua camellia?
- It tolerates about -12 °C (10 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Sasanqua camellia flower?
- From about October for 6–13 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Sasanqua camellia poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Camellias are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA.
- What grows well with Sasanqua camellia?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Sasanqua camellia. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Flowers autumn to early winter; in cold climates buds may be lost to frost, so it suits zones 7 and warmer.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Camellia Camellia japonica
- Tea plant Camellia sinensis
- Japanese stewartia Stewartia pseudocamellia
- Yunnan camellia Camellia reticulata
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- Boxwood Buxus sempervirens
- Oleander Nerium oleander