How to Care for a Gardenia

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Gardenias are beautiful plants with fragrant white flowers and shiny, dark green leaves. Their aromatic blossoms make them a desirable addition to your garden, but they can be difficult to care for. If you properly prep the soil before planting and then maintain the moisture and health of the plant, you can enjoy your gardenia for years to come.

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Planting Your Gardenia

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  1. 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. [1]
    • 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.
  2. 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. [2]
    • 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. [3]
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  3. Gardenias like acidic soil, so test the soil where you’d like to plant it. You can use a store-bought probe. 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. [4]
    • Avoid planting your gardenia near a concrete walk or foundation, since the soil will likely be too alkaline. [5]
  4. 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. [6]
  5. 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. [7]
  6. 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. [8]
  7. 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. [9]
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Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Maintaining Your Gardenia

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  1. 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. [10]
  2. 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. [11]
  3. 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. [12]
  4. Whenever you see your gardenia blooms begin to fade, clip them back to just below the leaf node. This will encourage continuous blooming. [13]
    • If you wish to prune the plant down, only do so when the plant is not actively growing in the summer after your plant is finished blooming. This will promote branching and give it a chance to heal for next spring.
  5. 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. [14]
  6. 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. [15]
  7. 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. [16]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What can cause yellow leaves on gardenias?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Expert Answer
    Yellow leaves can be caused by an iron deficiency. Add an iron supplement, such as Ironite mineral supplement, to see if that resolves your issue. Follow the directions on the label to dose your soil properly.
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  • Question
    When is the best time to treat for white flies?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Expert Answer
    Treat for white flies whenever they are noticed. It is best to treat the flies as soon as you see them on your plants to prevent a larger infestation that will be harder to control.
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  • Question
    What causes flower buds to brown and die before blooming?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
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    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This tends to happen when the gardenia plant as been grown in too much shade. Or, the plant may not have been watered sufficiently; if the gardenia lacks a moist soil or is subjected to too much hot, dry air, this can cause the flowers to turn brown and drop off.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Soil
      • Acidity tester
      • Sulfur
      • Peat moss or compost
      • Water
      • Acid fertilizer, fish emulsion, or bone meal
      • Insecticidal soap or horticultural oil
      • Tray with pebbles (optional)

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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.thegardenhelper.com/gardenia.htm
      2. ↑ https://www.gardenia.net/guide/learn-how-to-grow-and-care-for-your-gardenia
      3. ↑ http://www.thegardenhelper.com/gardenia.htm
      4. ↑ https://garden.org/plants/group/gardenias/
      5. ↑ https://www.gardenia.net/guide/learn-how-to-grow-and-care-for-your-gardenia
      6. ↑ https://garden.org/plants/group/gardenias/
      7. ↑ https://www.gardenia.net/guide/learn-how-to-grow-and-care-for-your-gardenia
      8. ↑ https://garden.org/plants/group/gardenias/
      9. ↑ https://www.gardenia.net/guide/learn-how-to-grow-and-care-for-your-gardenia
      1. ↑ http://balconygardenweb.com/growing-gardenias-in-pots-gardenia-tree-care-and-how-to-grow/
      2. ↑ http://balconygardenweb.com/growing-gardenias-in-pots-gardenia-tree-care-and-how-to-grow/
      3. ↑ http://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/gardens/southern-gardening-gardenia
      4. ↑ https://www.gardenia.net/guide/learn-how-to-grow-and-care-for-your-gardenia
      5. ↑ http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/pests/plant_pests/shrubs/hgic2059.html
      6. ↑ http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/pests/plant_pests/shrubs/hgic2059.html
      7. ↑ http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/plants/landscape/shrubs/hgic1065.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To care for a gardenia, plant it during the spring months in a spot with full sun or light shade. If planting outdoors, dig a hole as deep as the root ball and add mulch around the base of the plant to maintain the moisture in the soil. Indeed, if the soil around your gardenia feels dry, water it to keep the soil moist. Since gardenias also need humidity to thrive, make sure any indoor potted gardenias are in the same room as a humidifier or place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water. For more tips from our Horticulturist reviewer, including how to protect your gardenia from cold snaps and pests, keep reading!

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