Florida azalea
Rhododendron austrinum
Last reviewed: October 2026
Rhododendron austrinum, the Florida azalea, is a deciduous shrub with fragrant orange to yellow blooms in March and April. It grows well in part shade with medium moisture, often along woodland edges and stream banks in the Gulf Coast region.
Florida azalea is toxic to dogs and cats.
Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-08-15). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 and your veterinarian's emergency line.
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.
Native swaps for a yard with pets
Florida azalea is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. These natives fill a similar role in a planting and are not on the ASPCA toxic plant list for dogs or cats. Each plant's page carries its dated record.
Light
part shade
Water
medium
Size
96"–144" H × 72"–120" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr
Native to
AL, FL, GA, MS
Pollinators
swallowtail butterflies, hummingbirds, bumble bees
Before you buy
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
A deciduous azalea with clusters of fragrant long-tubed flowers in gold, apricot and orange opening before or with the leaves. It grows upright and open, preferring acidic, well-drained, humus-rich soil in dappled shade.
Growing Florida azalea
Grow Florida azalea in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 96 to 144 inches tall and spread 72 to 120 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Long-tubed early flowers are matched to large swallowtails and hummingbirds arriving before most nectar is available.
Common questions
- When does Florida azalea bloom?
- Rhododendron austrinum typically blooms in March and April, often before its leaves fully expand.
- What pollinates Rhododendron austrinum?
- Its fragrant, tubular flowers draw swallowtail butterflies, hummingbirds, and bumble bees.
- How much light does Florida azalea need?
- It grows best in part shade but can adapt to full sun or shadier woodland conditions, especially with reliable moisture.
- How much water does Florida azalea require?
- It prefers medium, consistent soil moisture and does not tolerate prolonged drought or waterlogged soil well.
- Is Florida azalea toxic to dogs?
- Yes. Florida azalea is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- Is Florida azalea toxic to cats?
- Yes. Florida azalea is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
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