
Can gardenias be grown outside?
More recently, with the development and breeding of hardier varieties, gardenia can now be grown as an outdoor plant in sheltered sites or mild areas. Indoor gardenias can be tricky to grow as they are exacting in their requirements.
How do you care for a gardenia plant?
Gardenias start to decline after about five years old and are best replaced with new plants. Depending on the variety, grow gardenia indoors or outside in lime-free soil or potting compost, in good light but out of direct sunlight. Plants grow to between 60cm-1.5m high according to variety and pot size.
What is a gardenia plant?
Gardenia is renowned for the sumptuous, rich perfume of its beautiful large white blooms, shown off to perfection against glossy dark evergreen leaves. Single or double flowers up to 8cm across are borne from early to late summer. Depending on the variety, grow gardenia either as an indoor plant or in the garden.
Can you give a gardenia plant as a gift?
If you plan on giving a gardenia plant to someone for a gift, be sure that they know how to care for it or they will be terribly disappointed. Growing gardenias indoors, within the confines of your home, requires close attention to humidity, light, and pest control.

Where do gardenias grow UK?
Over summer, place in a light situation but shade from direct sun, as the plants may be scorched or the leaves may wilt, even if the compost is moist. A west-facing window sill is ideal.
Is gardenia ericaceous?
The flowers are produced through the summer and on into the autumn. Gardenias require ericaceous or lime free potting compost for best results. They can grow into quite large shrubs so will need progressive potting on over the years.
Where should you not plant gardenias?
Gardenias prefer acidic soil with a pH between 5.0 and 6.0. Avoid planting gardenias near a concrete wall or foundation where the pH may be too high for optimum growth. Gardenias like soil that is rich in nutrients.
Can I plant my gardenia outside?
Outdoor Gardenia Care Gardenias are cold-sensitive and may die during severe winters, therefore, gardenias are typically grown outdoors where the winter weather is reasonably tolerable, or grown in pots and moved indoors for winter. Fall or spring is the most suitable time for planting the gardenia bush.
Do gardenias do better in pots or in the ground?
Outside, gardenia is best grown in a pot so it can be moved under cover in winter to protect from frosts or winds. In areas with favourable conditions year-round, plant gardenia in a raised bed or in the ground.
Is gardenia Hardy in UK?
The hardiest, most floriferous Gardenia yet, Crown Jewel is a great variety, that is only just being seen in the UK! Just as stunning and as fragrant as its indoor relative, its snowy white, waxy, star-shaped flowers completely smother its exquisite evergreen leaves from early June.
Do gardenias do well in pots?
Gardenias grow very well in containers or pots and can add beauty and fragrance to a patio, front porch or terrace. These evergreen fragrant plants are easy to grow outdoors in containers. They are easy to care for and only require occasional pruning to keep their shape and size.
Can gardenias survive a freeze?
Gardenias are fairly hardy plants suitable for USDA zones 8 to 10. They can handle light freezes, but the foliage will get damaged with sustained cold in exposed locations.
Can gardenia survive winter?
These flowering evergreen shrubs are hardy in areas that have hard freezes, but not where winter temperatures sink below 10°F, or for some types, below 5 or even -5°F. If you have your heart set on gardenias but you live in an area with winter weather they can't survive, you can still grow them.
Are gardenias toxic to dogs?
Are Gardenias Poisonous to Dogs. According to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), Gardenia jasminoides is considered toxic to dogs, cats and horses. The toxic components of geniposide & gardenoside are found in gardenia jasminoides.
How do you take care of a gardenia in the winter?
Gardenias overwintered indoors need cool night temperatures of around 60 degrees F. (16 C.). The shrub will survive warmer night temperatures but it may not flower well when you take it back outdoors. Keep the soil lightly moist and use a slow-release azalea fertilizer according to the package instructions.
Do gardenias come back every year?
Gardenias are perennial evergreen shrubs and small trees. Depending on the climate and growing conditions, some gardenia plants act like an annual.
What kind of soil does gardenias need?
Gardenias require an organically-rich acidic (pH 5.0-6.5) soil with good drainage. Give plants plenty of room to stretch their roots – gardenias do not tolerate crowding and root competition. Finally, select a location with good air circulation to limit pest problems.
What kind of potting soil do gardenias need?
Choosing a good quality potting mix that drains well is the best way to grow gardenias in a pot. Gardenias do prefer an acidic soil from about 5 to 6.5. You can use a specialty product labeled for gardenias, but most potting mixes are slightly acidic so a general potting medium is all you need. Avoid drafts.
How do you acidify gardenia soil?
To acidify soil around the shallow roots of the plant, organic gardener Howard Garrett advises mixing one tablespoon of vinegar per gallon of water every time you irrigate the plant. While watering gardenias with a vinegar solution can lower the soil's pH level, the effects are short-lived.
What is the best feed for gardenias?
Feed your plants Gardenias use a lot of nutrients to produce so many glorious blossoms. Feed your shrubs by applying an acidic, slow-release fertilizer such as an azalea or camellia fertilizer. For the organic gardener, blood meal, fish emulsion or bone meal work well.
Are coffee grounds good for gardenia plants?
Yes, as gardenia plants like acidic soils with rich nitrogen content. Coffee grounds contain nitrogen so they help enrich the soil.
Can you grow gardenias from cuttings?
Yes, although it is done best if the cuttings are kept in an area of high humidity until the roots take.
What zones do gardenias grow best in?
Gardenias thrive best in zones 8-10, although they have been known to grow moderately well in zone 7. If you're in a zone that's cooler than this,...
When do gardenias grow?
Gardenias are relatively straightforward to grow from cuttings, either taken from young shoots in spring (softwood cuttings), or in mid to late summer from the current season’s growth that has just started to become woody (semi-ripe or half-ripe cuttings).
How old do gardenias get?
Gardenias start to decline after about five years old and are best replaced with new plants.
What are the pests that are on my gardenias?
Pests may appear on gardenias and are most likely on plants growing under cover. These include red spider mite, aphids, and mealybugs. As with all pest problems, be vigilant, inspect plants regularly for signs of trouble, and take action as appropriate as soon as possible before the problem intensifies.
How to fix too little light on gardenias?
Too little light is easily remedied by moving the plant into a brightly lit spot, although take care not to go to the other extreme as gardenias dislike direct sunlight
Can gardenias be grown outside?
Outside, gardenia is best grown in a pot so it can be moved under cover in winter to protect from frosts or winds. In areas with favourable conditions year-round, plant gardenia in a raised bed or in the ground. Grow hardy gardenias in light shade: the dappled shade cast by larger plants is ideal, or in a spot that gets good light without direct sunlight. Shelter from wind is essential. In mild areas, hardy gardenias can remain outdoors all year. Otherwise, move into a porch, greenhouse, or conservatory for the winter.
What do gardenias like to grow in?
Gardenias like soil that is rich in nutrients. Add plenty of organic matter to the soil such as peat moss or manure to enhance the growth of your plant.
Where are gardenias native to?
Native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, southern Asia, Australasia and Oceania, ...
Why won't my gardenia flower buds form?
Flower buds will fail to form if the ideal temperature for Gardenias is not respected! Gardenias demand high humidity to thrive. Provide extra moisture with daily misting, set the plant on a tray of moist pebbles and/or use a humidifier.
How much sunlight do gardenias need?
Gardenias grown indoors should receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight through a sunny window. Make sure your Gardenia soil is moist and well-drained. Gardenias need at least 1 inch of rain (or equivalent watering) each week. Keep the soil consistently damp but not soggy.
What is the pH of gardenias?
Click here to see all Gardenia varieties. Gardenias prefer acidic soil with a pH between 5.0 and 6.0. Avoid planting gardenias near a concrete wall or foundation where the pH may be too high for an optimum growth. Gardenias like soil that is rich in nutrients.
Is a Gardenia a subtropical plant?
Gardenias are beautiful subtropical plants which may be fussy and quite temperament al in their cultural needs. To grow them with success, make sure you follow the below requirements.
Do gardenias like sun?
Although a Gardenia plant prefers full sun, some shade is appreciated during the warmer months of the year or its leaves may scorch and its buds may fall off if they get too much sunlight. In hot climates, Gardenias grow best with morning sun and afternoon shade.
How to grow a gardenia in a tropical climate?
1. Select a compact plant with deep green, glossy foliage. When you select your variety of gardenia, keep in mind that most gardenia varieties grow better in tropical and subtropical climates. The Kleim's Hardy Gardenia is one of the only gardenia varieties that can withstand relatively cold temperatures.
What zone do gardenias grow in?
Gardenias thrive best in zones 8-10, although they have been known to grow moderately well in zone 7. If you're in a zone that's cooler than this, they can be grown inside.
How to grow gardenias in a hole?
Dig a hole twice as wide as your gardenia’s root ball. Avoid planting your gardenia near concrete, since the alkalinity of concrete can affect the soil near it. Once you’ve placed the plant in the hole, fill it with pine mulch, which has a slight acidity that gardenias need.
What pests do gardenias get?
In particular, you should check your gardenias for whiteflies and mealybugs. Other gardenia pests include aphids, spider mites, and thrips. If you notice that your plants have a pest problem, use a horticultural oil to get rid of them.
Why are my gardenia leaves turning yellow?
The leaves on the plants may turn yellow if you give your gardenia too much water or it is planted in bad soil.
What pH do gardenias need?
Gardenias do best in soils with acidic pH levels. Try to maintain a pH of 5 or 6. You may want to have your soil tested and then add nutrients according to the results. In particular, if your soil is too basic you will want to add sulfur.
How deep should a hole be for a gardenia?
The hole you make should be twice as wide as the plant' s root ball and only as deep as its length. If you are planting your gardenia in a pot, follow the same instructions--the pot will have to be large enough that you can make a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball. ...
How many lobes does a Gardenia have?
Gardenia are bushy evergreen shrubs or trees, with attractive glossy leaves and large, fragrant white funnel- or bowl-shaped flowers with from 5 to 11 lobes
How to grow a sage plant?
How to grow. Cultivation Grow outdoors in neutral to acidic soil in moist but well-drained soil in partial or light dappled shade in a frost free site. Must be in a sheltered, frost-free warm area. Grow under glass in lime-free soil in bright filtered light in moderate humidity .
How tall do gardenias grow?
Gardenias are native to Japan and China and thrive on the south and west coasts of the United States where they often reach up to 6 feet tall (2 m.). Indoor gardenias require cool temperatures, moderate humidity, and plenty of bright light to thrive.
How to keep gardenias from falling apart?
The drying nature of most heat can cause a once beautiful gardenia to fall to pieces, literally. There are a few ways to increase indoor humidity. The first is to group houseplants close together, the second is to spray a light mist of water on foliage during the early morning hours, and the third is to run a humidifier.
How to get humidity out of gardenias?
There are a few ways to increase indoor humidity. The first is to group houseplants close together, the second is to spray a light mist of water on foliage during the early morning hours, and the third is to run a humidifier.
How to get rid of spider mites on gardenias?
If you suspect your gardenia has spider mites, you can confirm this by shaking the leaves over a white sheet of paper. Fold the paper in half and check for red-smeared spots.
What are the pests that can be found in gardenias?
Keep a close eye out for gardenia pests such as aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, root nematodes, and scale bugs.
Can gardenias be placed in a furnace?
Keep your plant free of drafts and never place a gardenia where it will receive the direct force of hot air from a furnace.
Can you give a gardenia as a gift?
If you plan on giving a gardenia plant to someone for a gift, be sure that they know how to care for it or they will be terribly disappointed. Growing gardenias indoors, within the confines of your home, requires close attention to humidity, light, and pest control.
What zone do gardenias grow in?
Gardenias will thrive most commonly in hardy zones 8 and 9, or those areas where the temperature won’t dip below 20 degrees. The gardenia is considered a semi-tropical plant, and they need warmth, sunlight and humidity to thrive. If you live in Georgia, northern Florida, or most of Texas you can easily grow any variety of gardenia.
How many different types of gardenias are there?
Gardenias are popular for their beauty and their strong, intoxicating fragrance. There are more than 200 different varieties of gardenia flowers available. While most of them have the same basic needs, you may be able to find a variety that will work outside the typical zones.
Can African Gardenias grow in Florida?
If you live in an area like southern Florida or California, you can still grow gardenias. Most often you will need to grow these in pots, and the upkeep will require more maintenance. African Gardenias do well in these areas even if the weather is hot and not a lot of sun reaches the plant.
Can gardenias grow in colder climates?
There are some states that may experience the perfect summer conditions, but can experience colder winters. States like North and South Carolina and Virginia are examples. There are still gardenia varieties that can thrive in these areas. Look for crown jewel, August beauty and Kleim's hardy varieties for these areas. They are more tolerant of slightly colder winters.
