How to Care for a Gardenia
Plant your gardenia in the spring., Select a spot with full sun or light shade., Test your soil for a pH of 5-6., Dig a hole as deep as the root ball., Transfer the plant into nutrient-rich soil., Water the roots and fill in the soil., Add mulch...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Plant your gardenia in the spring.
Gardenias perform best in day temperatures between 65-70 degrees F (18-21 degrees C) and night temperatures between 60-65 degrees F (15-18 degrees C).
Since most climates will only see these temperatures in the spring, that’s the best time to plant them to ensure flower buds form.If your climate sees colder temperatures in the spring, you may want to wait until late spring to plant.
And if your climate is hotter, plant in late winter or early spring. -
Step 2: Select a spot with full sun or light shade.
Your gardenia should receive 6-8 hours of full sun a day.
If you live somewhere with very hot temperatures, pick a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade so that it doesn’t get scorched.Potted gardenias should be placed somewhere with bright light but no direct sunlight.
If indoors, try a table beside a bright window.
For outside, place it on a bright but shaded deck or balcony., Gardenias like acidic soil, so test the soil where you’d like to plant it.
You can use a store-bought probe or take a sample and pour water and baking soda on it to see if it fizzes.
If not, you can make the soil more acidic by purchasing sulfur from a home improvement or garden store and adding the amount recommended on the packaging.Avoid planting your gardenia near a concrete walk or foundation, since the soil will likely be too alkaline., Gardenias have shallow roots, so you don’t need to dig it very deep, but make it 2-3 times as wide as the root ball.
If you’re planting multiple gardenias, space them at least 3-6 feet (1-2 meters) apart., Add some organic matter like peat moss, which you can buy at a garden store, or compost, which you can make at home by combining dead plants, food scraps, and water in your backyard.
Then place the gardenia in the hole and fill the hole halfway with some of the displaced soil., Pour enough water into the hole to saturate the soil.
This will help settle the soil and reduce air pockets.
Once you see the water drain away, refill the rest of the hole with the remaining soil., To maintain the moisture in the soil and keep its temperature constant, add 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) of organic mulch around the base of the plant.
This may result in excess fertilizer salts in the soil, so water once a month with distilled water to drain them away., Gardenias should receive the equivalent of 1 inch (2.5 cm) of rain a week, but you can simply water your gardenia whenever the top inch of soil begins to feel dry.
Check the moisture level by sticking your finger down into the soil at the base of the plant.
If it feels dry, saturate the soil with water., Gardenias need humidity to thrive, so many people mist them regularly with a spray bottle of water.
This can lead to fungal infection on the leaves, however, so it’s better to place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water.
You can also use a humidifier in the same room as an indoor plant to help with moisture., During the growing season, lay acid fertilizer, fish emulsion, or bone meal across the soil at the base of the plant.
You generally won’t need to do this from November to February., Whenever you see your gardenia blooms begin to fade, clip them back to just below the leaf node.
This will encourage continuous blooming.If you wish to prune the plant down, only do so when the plant is not actively growing (during the winter months is ideal).
This will promote branching and give it a chance to heal. , These pests can sicken your plants over time so it’s important to spot them early and treat the problem.
Whiteflies look like miniature white moths and mealybugs look like tiny cotton balls stuck to the leaves.
Check the top and bottoms of leaves as well as the stems for any insects., If you spot any pests, purchase an insecticidal soap or horticultural oil at a garden store and spray the tops and bottoms of all leaves.
Do this 3 times, waiting about a week between each application., For cold snaps that produce frost, or throughout the winter months, bring potted gardenias inside.
For planted gardenias, cover them with large tarps or blankets, or place a cardboard box over it. -
Step 3: Test your soil for a pH of 5-6.
-
Step 4: Dig a hole as deep as the root ball.
-
Step 5: Transfer the plant into nutrient-rich soil.
-
Step 6: Water the roots and fill in the soil.
-
Step 7: Add mulch around the base.
-
Step 8: Keep the soil moist.
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Step 9: Create humidity for an indoor plant.
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Step 10: Fertilize the gardenia every 3-4 weeks.
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Step 11: Clip faded flowers.
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Step 12: Look for whiteflies and mealybugs.
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Step 13: Spray infested leaves with an insecticidal soap.
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Step 14: Protect the plant during cold snaps.
Detailed Guide
Gardenias perform best in day temperatures between 65-70 degrees F (18-21 degrees C) and night temperatures between 60-65 degrees F (15-18 degrees C).
Since most climates will only see these temperatures in the spring, that’s the best time to plant them to ensure flower buds form.If your climate sees colder temperatures in the spring, you may want to wait until late spring to plant.
And if your climate is hotter, plant in late winter or early spring.
Your gardenia should receive 6-8 hours of full sun a day.
If you live somewhere with very hot temperatures, pick a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade so that it doesn’t get scorched.Potted gardenias should be placed somewhere with bright light but no direct sunlight.
If indoors, try a table beside a bright window.
For outside, place it on a bright but shaded deck or balcony., Gardenias like acidic soil, so test the soil where you’d like to plant it.
You can use a store-bought probe or take a sample and pour water and baking soda on it to see if it fizzes.
If not, you can make the soil more acidic by purchasing sulfur from a home improvement or garden store and adding the amount recommended on the packaging.Avoid planting your gardenia near a concrete walk or foundation, since the soil will likely be too alkaline., Gardenias have shallow roots, so you don’t need to dig it very deep, but make it 2-3 times as wide as the root ball.
If you’re planting multiple gardenias, space them at least 3-6 feet (1-2 meters) apart., Add some organic matter like peat moss, which you can buy at a garden store, or compost, which you can make at home by combining dead plants, food scraps, and water in your backyard.
Then place the gardenia in the hole and fill the hole halfway with some of the displaced soil., Pour enough water into the hole to saturate the soil.
This will help settle the soil and reduce air pockets.
Once you see the water drain away, refill the rest of the hole with the remaining soil., To maintain the moisture in the soil and keep its temperature constant, add 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) of organic mulch around the base of the plant.
This may result in excess fertilizer salts in the soil, so water once a month with distilled water to drain them away., Gardenias should receive the equivalent of 1 inch (2.5 cm) of rain a week, but you can simply water your gardenia whenever the top inch of soil begins to feel dry.
Check the moisture level by sticking your finger down into the soil at the base of the plant.
If it feels dry, saturate the soil with water., Gardenias need humidity to thrive, so many people mist them regularly with a spray bottle of water.
This can lead to fungal infection on the leaves, however, so it’s better to place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water.
You can also use a humidifier in the same room as an indoor plant to help with moisture., During the growing season, lay acid fertilizer, fish emulsion, or bone meal across the soil at the base of the plant.
You generally won’t need to do this from November to February., Whenever you see your gardenia blooms begin to fade, clip them back to just below the leaf node.
This will encourage continuous blooming.If you wish to prune the plant down, only do so when the plant is not actively growing (during the winter months is ideal).
This will promote branching and give it a chance to heal. , These pests can sicken your plants over time so it’s important to spot them early and treat the problem.
Whiteflies look like miniature white moths and mealybugs look like tiny cotton balls stuck to the leaves.
Check the top and bottoms of leaves as well as the stems for any insects., If you spot any pests, purchase an insecticidal soap or horticultural oil at a garden store and spray the tops and bottoms of all leaves.
Do this 3 times, waiting about a week between each application., For cold snaps that produce frost, or throughout the winter months, bring potted gardenias inside.
For planted gardenias, cover them with large tarps or blankets, or place a cardboard box over it.
About the Author
Karen Jimenez
Creates helpful guides on creative arts to inspire and educate readers.
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