Plant care
Camellia 'Water Lily'temperature & humidity
Camellia x williamsii 'Water Lily'
More about camellia 'water lily'
Ideal temperature for camellia 'water lily'
Temperature kills fewer camellia 'water lily' plants than you'd think. What kills them is the micro-climate within a normal-temperature room — a leaf pressed against single-glazed winter glass, the hot dry updraft directly above a radiator, the cold blast from an AC vent. The thermostat reading at -5 to 20°C (23-68°F) is fine; the spot you put the plant in matters more. Below roughly -5°C growth pauses; cold beyond that pushes it into dormancy rather than killing it outright.
Cold tolerance & winter care
Camellia 'Water Lily' is comparatively hardy (USDA 7-9, RHS H5). Within that range it tolerates a cold dormant spell outdoors; outside it, grow it in a container you can move under cover or overwinter in a cool but frost-free spot. Hardiness assumes an established plant in well-drained soil — a wet, cold root zone kills far more plants than cold air alone.
Humidity for camellia 'water lily'
Camellia 'Water Lily' sits happiest at around 50-70% relative humidity. Appreciates moderate to high humidity. In sheltered garden positions this is usually met by the ambient climate; containerised plants in sheltered spots rarely need supplemental misting. The usual low-humidity tell is crisp brown leaf tips and edges while the soil moisture is fine — a sign the air, not the watering, is the problem. If you need to raise it, the reliable methods are grouping plants together, standing the pot on a tray of damp pebbles (the pot above the waterline, never in it), or running a small humidifier in winter when indoor heating dries the air most. Misting is the least effective — it raises humidity for minutes, not hours.
Camellia 'Water Lily' temperature & humidity — frequently asked questions
What temperature is best for camellia 'water lily'?
Camellia 'Water Lily' grows best between -5 to 20°C (23-68°F). Keep it out of cold draughts, off freezing windowsills in winter, and away from the hot dry air directly above radiators — the extremes matter far more than the average room temperature.
How cold can camellia 'water lily' tolerate?
Camellia 'Water Lily' starts to suffer below roughly -5°C. It tolerates a cold dormant period within USDA 7-9, but a wet cold root zone is more dangerous than cold air.
What humidity does camellia 'water lily' need?
Camellia 'Water Lily' prefers about 50-70% relative humidity. Appreciates moderate to high humidity. In sheltered garden positions this is usually met by the ambient climate; containerised plants in sheltered spots rarely need supplemental misting.
How do I raise humidity for camellia 'water lily'?
Group it with other plants, stand the pot on a tray of damp pebbles (kept above the waterline), or run a small humidifier in winter. Misting only helps for a few minutes, so it is the weakest option for a plant that genuinely needs more humidity.
Can camellia 'water lily' live outside?
Camellia 'Water Lily' is rated for USDA zone 7-9 and RHS hardiness H5. Within that range it can stay outdoors; outside it, grow it in a moveable container and protect the roots from a wet, cold winter.
More camellia 'water lily' care
In the UK? Keeping camellia 'water lily' warm in a UK home covers the radiator, single-glazing and heating-season humidity angle. Temperature and humidity are one piece. See the full camellia 'water lily' care guide, its cold-hardiness guide, and watering schedule — humidity and watering problems are easy to confuse.