In order to study the needs and adaptability of Camellia azalea to sunlight, we studied the effects of the shading treatments at different degrees ［0 (CK), 30%, 50% and 80%］ on leaf growth, photosynthetic pigments contents, primary metabolite contents and relative conductivity of C. azalea seedlings (2.5 a). The results showed that: (1) the shading significantly promoted the growth of C. azalea leaves, and the leaf number, total leaf area, average leaf area, specific leaf area, and leaf water content were at the highest level under 50%-80% shading condition. (2) The total chlorophyll content, chlorophyll a content, chlorophyll b content, carotenoid content and SPAD value of C. azalea leaves increased to a certain extent under shading condition, and reached the highest level under 80% shading condition. (3) With the increase of shading intensity, the contents of soluble sugar, soluble protein in leaves decreased firstly and then increased, and they were at the lowest level under 50% shading condition; the content of starch in leaves increased firstly and then decreased, and it was at the highest level under 50% shading condition. (4) Shading significantly reduced the relative conductivity of leaves. With the increase of shading intensity, it showed the trend of decreased firstly and then increased, and at the lowest level under 50% shading condition. Therefore, C. azalea seedlings have a strong adaptability to low light condition, and the moderate shading treatment (50% shading condition) helps leaf growth and development of Camellia azalea seedlings.