How to Pot Azaleas

1). Select a terra cotta or ceramic pot. These materials, as opposed to more popular (and lighter weight) pots of plastic, keep the roots of azaleas a bit warmer during the cool months, which is important since the plant's roots are near the top of the soil. The pot should be at least twice as large as the nursery pot the azalea was purchased in (if the plant is new), or at least twice the width of the root ball (for plants that have been in a smaller pot or directly in your garden's soil).
2). Choose potting soil designed just for azaleas and rhododendrons. This will ensure the soil has just the right level of acidity, which makes for a healthy and beautiful azalea.
3). Place a layer of gravel or small rocks in the bottom of the pot. This will help with drainage, which is important because azaleas don't like their roots soaked.
4). Pour the potting soil on top of the gravel, filling the pot up to the point where the azalea's roots will fall.
5). Water the azalea plant lightly, either in the nursery pot, in its current smaller pot or in the garden soil.
6). Remove the azalea from its current pot by holding the plant gently at its neck, turning the pot upside down, and shaking lightly. If the azalea is in the garden soil, dig around the plant, beginning at least a foot away on all sides from the width of the foliage.
7). Massage the root ball of the plant if it is root bound (meaning it has many roots massed below the root ball). Be gentle, removing as little soil from the roots as possible.
8). Pull at the bottom roots slightly, even if the plant isn't root bound. This helps the roots spread out and encourages new growth.
9). Set the azalea into the pot so it sits straight and tall.
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Pour potting soil around the root ball, adjusting the plant from time to time to ensure it's still standing straight.
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Pat the soil down slightly. It shouldn't be tight and compact, but the soil should "settle" a little.
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Water the plant well.
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Add more potting soil if the soil settles during watering.