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Gardenia care

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The glossy dark green leaves and fragrant milky white flowers of the gardenia plant make it an irresistible plant to grow. Usually sold in bloom or bud, the intoxicating fragrance entices us to make it a must have plant but gardenia can be finicky and a challenge to grow in indoors. In fact, some treat it as a disposable plant and discard it after blooming.

gardenia flower

Gardenia (Cape jasmine) requires loose well-drained, acidic (ph4.5-6.2) soil, bright sun 6-8 hrs and dappled shade when outdoors in the summer. It prefers high humidity and moist but not soggy soil. Feed it with a 1/2 strength acid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks from March-October.
For winter care: Provide a cool bright location, humidity and keep away from heating vents. Do not fertilize and water less by allowing the top 1-2 inches to dry before watering again.

Blooming: Gardenias require an even temperature of 62-63 F and high humidity during bud formation. To increase humidity place plant in a water pebble tray or close to a humidifier. When the buds are formed, provide consistent cool nights (58-60F) and warm days (70-75F). A 10-15 degree temperature differential is needed to keep the buds from dropping off (bud blast). Opened flowers should last 3-8 days and bruise easily when touched.

Prune after the blooming cycle has ended, or when the plant is actively growing and needs a trim. Don’t prune during winter.
Propagation: Take 3-4 inch semi-woody tip cutting from a non-flowering shoot in early spring. Remove lower leaves, dip in rooting hormone and insert cutting in moist peat, vermiculite mix. It should root in 4-6 weeks.

Troubleshooting
Gardenias attract a number of insects: aphids, mealy bugs, scale, red spider mites and thrips. They are also susceptible to root rot, bud drop and yellow leaves.

In the south and west coastal areas (zone 7b), semi-tropical gardenias are grown outdoors as evergreen shrubs. Varieties can differ in size, growth habit and blooming season. ‘Mystery’ a California favorite gets up to 8′ tall and produces large double flowers.

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21 Comments on Gardenia care»

  1. HI-JUST FOUND YOUR SITE AND LOVE IT. I HAVE A GARDENIA PLANT IN FLORIDA, BUT IT ISN’T BLOOMING, ALTHOUGH IT IS LUSH GREEN AND HEALTHY. MY MOM HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HERS IN MASSACHUSETTS. WHAT CAN WE DO TO PROMOTE BLOOMING IN OUR OTHERWISE HEALTHY LOOKING PLANTS?

    Gardenia usually bloom once a year in the spring to summer. They need several conditions to set flower buds. Full sun 4-6 hrs , high humidity, cool night (58-60) and warm days (70-75). Flower buds form at a temperatures of 62-63 degreesF at which time the plant should have high humidity and even moisture. If the soil is allowed to dry out or is too wet, it will drop its buds. Fluctuation in temperatures such as too warm, cold drafts will also cause bud drop. They are a bit fussy. Feed the plant with an acid fertilizer (Miracid) from March to Oct. when the plant is actively growing. If outdoors during the summer keep it in partial shade. Prune the plant after blooming (spring) later pruning can eliminate next year’s flowers. The Florida climate should be great for your gardenia whereas Mass will require a little more effort to maintain the humidity it requires.

    Comment by Nancy — 9/25/2007 @ 9:36 am

  2. I have a question not a comment. I planted 3 gardenia bushes around my bay window last yr. and I think they are almost dead due to the extremely cold weather we had this winter. Is there a way I can save my Gardenia’s? I haven’t even seen them bloom.

    Wait to see how much cold damage you actually have. If you have dried up branches that look like there is no sign of life prune those and check for new growth as the weather gets warmer.They do like bright, warm and humid conditions with well drained, acid soil. If and when there are signs of life (new leaves) water and fertilize (muracid) in the spring to encourage growth. Gardenias are frost tender and depending on the variety hardy in zones 9-11.

    Comment by Veronica O — 9/25/2007 @ 9:38 am

  3. I have several gardenias which have lost their vivid greeness. I purchased granular Ironite, but the bag only tells me how many pounds to apply to 1000 sq. ft. I do not want to apply to a large area, only to the plants which are yellowing. How much can I safely apply to individual shrubs of approx. 3′? I live in Texas, zone 8. Thank you.

    Ironite site recommends 1/2lb. application for a 2 ft. shrub. and one cup = 3/4 lb ironite. So here comes the math. 1/2 lb = 2/3 cup. That rate should be safe to apply around your shrubs.

    Comment by Rita S — 9/25/2007 @ 9:40 am

  4. I live in Greece and have just bought my first gardenia. How often am i suppose to water it and should i give fertilizer now?

    If the plant is indoors in a container, keep your gardenia slightly moist but not wet(don’t let it stand in water) and don’t let it wilt. You may have to check every day for watering, especially when the weather is hot. Water when the top inch of soil is dry. You may have to water less often in the cooler winter months. Also provide lots of humidity. Feed it with a balanced acid fertilizer(Muracid) once a month from March to October when the plant is actively growing. Follow manufacturer’s directions.

    Comment by christina — 10/23/2007 @ 12:11 pm

  5. HI I HAVE A GARDENIA TREE IN FL LOOKED GREAT FLOWERED IN MAY -JUNE SINCE THEN THE LEAVES AND STEMS HAVE TURNED BLACK . CAN YOU HELP THANKS

    It is possible that you have sooty mold-a black thin layer of fungus that covers the leaves and blocks sunlight. Sooty mold feeds on honeydew which is a byproduct(excrement) of mealy bug aphids, whitefly or scale. Check your plant for infestation and treat accordingly. Each insect has a different course of treatment.

    Comment by maureen — 11/5/2007 @ 8:43 am

  6. I have a problemwith Yellow leaves. What should i do to help the plant?

    Yellowing leaves can be a sign of overwatering, underwatering, too high ph (above 6.5) or iron deficiency. Iron chlorosis (interveinal lightening of leaves) can be caused by a high ph level. Feed the plant with 1/2 strength acid fertilizer or add chelated iron to the soil and spray on the leaves. You can also use tea water once a month to maintain low ph levels (acid soil).

    Comment by pat — 11/10/2007 @ 10:52 am

  7. I have a potted Gardenia on my deck. Since it has become colder many of the leaves have turned yellow and dropped off. Will there be regrowth in the spring when it heats up again, or is it going to die this winter. I live in Metro Atlanta. Thanks

    Barring any unusual freeze, your gardenia should be hardy in your area (zone 7-8) and survive the winter. Be sure to water it occasionally. Check for insects to make sure they are not the cause of yellowing and leaf drop. It should send out new growth in the spring.

    Comment by Sue McDaniel — 11/25/2007 @ 2:38 pm

  8. my plant leaves are shiny and wet with a sticky residue plant seems healthy and i cannot see alot of insect . ihave had mealy bug on my OLEANDER and have treated sucessfuly with malathion .should i use something different on my GARDENIA

    If you have mealy bug you would see it. Another insect that attacks gardenia and produces a sticky residue is scale which may not be easily detected. Look closely at the stems and undersides of leaves for bumps that can be scraped off with your fingers. A magnifying glass really helps. They leave behind a clear sticky residue on the leaf surface. The treatment would depend on where your plant is growing (indoors or outside). You can use malathion to treat for scale, if it is listed on the label. It will kill the insects in the crawler stage but not in the shell stage. You may need several applications. Don’t spray indoors and use precautions when spraying. Don’t use insecticidal soap on gardenia as they have a tendency to be sensitive to soap sprays causing phytotoxicity(yellow/brown spotting and burned tips.
    UF IFAS ext.serv.

    Comment by CRAIG — 1/27/2008 @ 12:02 pm

  9. i have had a indoor gardenia now for 2 years and am not sure when re potting is required the plant is about a foot tall and very healthy please advise

    Repot your gardenia when the roots have filled the pot. You will see roots on the soil surface as well as coming out of the bottom drainage hole. They actually bloom better when slightly pot-bound. To allow for new vigorous growth, repot into a container 1 inch larger in the spring. It’s probably ready for the next size pot.

    Comment by bob hodgson — 2/17/2008 @ 12:49 pm

  10. A friend gave me a transplanted indoor gardenia plant with what looks like two plants in the one pot. It has been healthy looking for the past 4 months but recently one of the plant’s leaves have started drying and curling. Could one of the plants be root bound and should I pull it and try to replant it separately?

    The drying and curling of the leaves can be the result of stress on the roots caused by uneven watering or low humidity. Gardenias don’t like to have their roots disturbed. Separating the two plants would cause a lot of trauma to the already taxed root system, therefore I would not recommend dividing it. If you feel the plant is root bound, where roots appear above the soil and come out of the bottom drain hole ,then repot it into a 1-2″ larger container before it begins to put on new spring growth. Gardenias flower best when they are slightly pot bound. Trim the dried stems but don’t separate the plant.

    Comment by Fred Rosenbaum — 4/8/2008 @ 6:37 am

  11. I have a gardenia that was given to me, it was doing not so well because I was having a hard time watering it regularly. So once I started doing that, it leafed up pretty good and got really green. I didn’t change the watering cycle, but for some reason all the leaves wilted and started to curl, and then….. when I went to touch the leaf, it fell off! All the leaves fell off except for some new growth at the end. I thought it might be the pot, so I recently repotted it - it’s doing a bit better, but there are still no leaves on the branches, just the new growth at the ends. More new growth has started to sprout up at the bottom - but what I am wondering is should I prune off the branches that have no leaves on them? Even if there is new growth at the ends? It just looks so naked with no leaves! It hasn’t bloomed at all since I got it for christmas. Help?

    Uneven moisture and low humidity will cause gardenia to drop their leaves and buds. Prune off any dead branches or ones that have no leaves on them. Since you have new growth coming from the base of the plant, also cut back the “naked” stems which will stimulate side shoots and produce a fuller looking plant. Provide bright filtered light, uniform moisture and humidity (place it on a pebble tray) and fertilize with 1/2 strength acid fertilizer(every 2 wks March-Sept) to get it going.

    Comment by Gina — 4/8/2008 @ 10:53 am

  12. I HAVE A GARDENIA TREE FOR ABOUT A MONTH, FULL, OF BUDS. AT FIRST THE FLOWERS WERE BEAUTIFUL AND NOW THEY ARE NOT OPENING . THE BUDS ARE YELLOW AND NOT OPENING, IT’S OUTDOORS AND GETS THE MORNING SUN. WHAT I’M I DOING WRONG…… PLEASE HELP. IT’S MY FARVOTE FLOWER, AND I LOVE TO HAVE THEM ALL OVER THE HOUSE THANK YOU

    Gardenias are very temperamental when in bloom, they will drop their buds or not open even when you look at them the wrong way. A change in location such as moving the plant, any temperature fluctuations cold and hot, low humidity, over and under watering (need even moisture when in bloom)and not enough light can all cause the flowers to abort or stop opening.

    Comment by grace — 4/8/2008 @ 3:07 pm

  13. I have an indoor gardenia. It has new leaves and buds forming. But old leaves are turning yellow and falling off. Also there’s some tiny insects which are forming a web (like spiders). How do I get rid of them? I’m in NJ area. Thanks

    Gardenias are susceptible to spider mites which sounds like what you describe. The yellowing leaves can also be caused by lack of nutrients as well as old age. Spring is a good time to start feeding your plant with an “acid” fertilizer(Miracid). Follow manufacturers directions. Additional tea water every 2 wks will help keep the soil acid.

    Comment by Sam — 4/10/2008 @ 8:37 am

  14. I live in Mississippi where for the past 2 weeks it has been in the mid 70’s to lower 80’s. Today I got my yard landscaped and planted some dwarf gardenia’s. I just saw on the weather that we are under a freeze warning tonight. It looks like it might not get down all the way to 32 but really close. Should I cover the gardenia’s?

    Yes, they will need protection from the cold. Cover them with a cloth, blanket but do not use plastic as that traps the cold and does more harm than good.

    Comment by Beth — 4/14/2008 @ 3:45 pm

  15. how do i maintain the temperature differential required for the succeessful blooming of my gardenia indoors? it keeps getting buds which fall off, and it’s leaves aren’t lush green anymore. it had some tiny grey bugs on it which i’d been trying to control with some castille soap in water sprayed on it but it seems that the plant might be sensitive to it?
    thanks

    Gardenias are very difficult to keep indoors. The temperature differential is needed to get the plant to set buds-that’s why they are grown in a greenhouse where the temperature can be controlled. Usually, temperatures will drop enough at night and warm up during the day to keep the buds. They are temperamental and susceptible to many insects. I’m not sure what the grey bugs are-could be aphid or spider mites. I have read that the use of insecticidal soap can cause sensitivity to gardenia plants. Look into pyrethrin sprays labeled for gardenia. Your plant is showing signs of stress and will drop its buds any time there is a change in environment, high temp, low humidity,hot or cold drafts and to much or not enough water. Be careful not to overwater it or let it dry out -keep the soil evenly moist.

    Comment by saadia — 4/21/2008 @ 11:57 am

  16. Hello, it was hot in NY today (79 degrees) and I got excited and purchased a Gardenia for my garden. I realize now that there weren’t any instructions in the plant. Is it too cold now for it to be outside? Temps are in the high 40’s to mid 50’s during the evenings. How often should I water it, is it okay in full sun outside? Thanks for your help. I’d like to keep this plant alive for as long as possible.

    It is too cold for it to be outside. They need temperatures around 65-70 during the day and 60 at night. Don’t let the soil dry out keep it moist but not wet-don’t let the pot sit in water. When you place you plant outdoors put it in a shade for a week and then move it to semi-shade or indirect bright light avoiding direct sun. Fertilize once a month with an acid fertilizer.Because it’s a sub-tropical plant, bring it indoors in the fall before temperatures get too cold.

    Comment by Anu Prestonia — 4/23/2008 @ 6:34 pm

  17. Hi,
    I got this beautiful indoor Gardenia tree (not a plant) as a gift about a month ago. When I first got it, it had several flowers on it and looked pretty healthy…Now I’m seeing holes on even new leaves and the buds are falling. I have been watering it regularly and it’s in front of a window that gets full sunlight in the morning. I’m not experienced in growing plants so I have no idea what could be the problem. Anything that you can suggest will be greatly appreciated.
    Thanks

    Hi Nikki
    This is a good question since most of the “favorite” insects that attack gardenia are not chewing insects that make holes. It may be an insect that came with your plant, has regenerated and is thriving. Look for insects under the leaves and along the stem as well as in the soil. Once you find out what it is then you will know how to effectively treat it. I would also call the supplier of your gardenia tree and complain.

    Comment by NIKKI — 5/6/2008 @ 12:37 pm

  18. Hi,

    I have a beautiful gardenia bush that is taking over the space where I have it planted. When would be the best time to transplant the bush to another area. I am in Houston

    aHi Gwen
    Best time to transplant a gardenia is in the early spring late Feb.-March.

    Comment by Gwen — 5/11/2008 @ 9:30 am

  19. My green-thumbed mother has successfully nursed many gardenias through moving and other stressful times. Just recently her perfectly healthy and blooming (indoor) gardenia dropped all of its leaves - practically overnight. She had done nothing differently from any other time. Do you have any idea what would cause this to happen, and what she should do now? Thank you.

    Leaf drop symptoms are similar to bud drop. The plant may be lacking nutrients, enough humidity or the soil was allowed to dry out. Gardenia will also drop their leaves as a response to insect infestation. Check for spider mites or scale.

    Comment by Blaine Converse — 5/13/2008 @ 9:25 am

  20. My gardenia bushes are growing and dark green= healthy looking. there are lots and lots of buds but they don’t bloom! Just dry up and fall off. Too acid? Not enough fertilizer?? Before this year they always bloomed beautifully. (I live in Tucson, AZ)

    It doesn’t sound like a fertilizer problem. You don’t mention humidity or even moisture which is required during the bloom stage. Also a change in environment such as cold or too warm will affect bud drop. In addition check for insects such as scale or spider mites.

    Comment by Blanche Crain — 5/13/2008 @ 8:18 pm

  21. Hi,
    I live in the Pee Dee of South Carolina. We just moved and the house has about 6 gardenias against the back of the house. They are very bare of leaves, and have not been cut back or shaped up in several years. I’m wondering what I should do to nurse them back to health. There is a double dogwood blooming over them, so they have the shade required in this part of the south. There are also two other’s on the other side of the back yard that are full of leaves and look like they will be fine if I keep the aphids off of them. I have not tried anything on them as of yet since I’ve been working at getting all the other hundreds of bushes and plants weed free. I did pull the ivy that was around the bottoms of them off to make sure they are not being choked. Thanks!

    Comment by Cheryl Cottingham — 5/15/2008 @ 5:25 pm

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