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Rhododendron niveum

Rhododendron niveum
Photo: A. J. T. Johnsingh, WWF-India and NCF, CC BY-SA 3.0

Rhododendron niveum is an evergreen shrub or small tree from the eastern Himalaya, growing 2 to 6 m tall with magenta or lilac flowers in compact clusters. It is a high-altitude species, so it needs cool conditions, and it is not commonly grown as a houseplant.

Family
Ericaceae (Heather family)
Grows as
Tree, Shrub
Light
Part shade, Bright indirect
Water
Keep the soil evenly moist and never waterlogged, and use rainwater or soft water where possible.
Soil
Acidic, humus-rich, well-drained ericaceous soil or potting mix.
Temperature
5–18 °C preferred; protect from frost below -5 °C and heat above 25 °C.
How easy
Moderate
Safety
Toxic: All parts contain grayanotoxins, which can cause nausea, vomiting, weakness and low blood pressure if eaten, including honey made from its nectar.. Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA).
Native range
E. Himalaya to S. Tibet
Climate
temperate

About

Rhododendron niveum (Chinese: 西藏毛脉杜鹃) is a rhododendron species native to northeastern India (including Sikkim), Bhutan, and southern Tibet in China, where it grows at altitudes of 2,600–3,500 m (8,500–11,500 ft). It is an evergreen shrub or small tree that grows to 2–6 m (6.6–19.7 ft) in height, with leathery leaves that are oblanceolate to elliptic, 8.5–11 by 3.6–4.6 cm in size. When young the leaves are covered in a white indumentum, which falls off the upper surface but remains on the underside. The flowers are an intense magenta or lilac, and held in a compact ball above the leaves.

Other Rhododendron plants

Rhododendron aberconwayi · Sagan Dalya · Rhododendron adenogynum · Rhododendron adenosum · Rhododendron aganniphum · Cascade azalea · Rhododendron albrechtii · Rhododendron album · Rhododendron alutaceum · Rhododendron annae · Rhododendron anthopogon · Rhododendron araiophyllum

Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Rhododendron niveum by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.

The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.

Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.

Pet safety from the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant lists.

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