Native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, southern Asia, Australasia and Oceania, Gardenias
Gardenia
Gardenia is a genus of flowering plants in the coffee family, Rubiaceae, native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, Madagascar and Pacific Islands. The genus was named by Carl Linnaeus and John Ellis after Dr. Alexander Garden, a Scottish-born American naturalist.
How to care for gardenias in pots?
Requirements for Growing Gardenias in Pots
- Location. Choose a location that is warm, bright, and sunny. ...
- Soil. For growing gardenias in pots, choose a quality potting soil that is light, well-drained, and rich in organic matter.
- Water. Water the plant deeply but only when the top one inch surface of the soil dries out. ...
- Humidity. Ideal humidity level is around 70%. ...
- Temperature. ...
How to care for gardenia plant indoors?
3 top tips for gardenia care
- Up the humidity levels Hailing from tropical climes, it's no surprise that gardenias love a humid environment. ...
- Keep them warm Gardenia plants need a minimum temperature of 50˚F (10˚C) in winter. ...
- Feed them regularly
Where to plant gardenias outdoor?
Planting & Location Tips
- Gardenias like a tropical environment, however, they might suffer in full sun throughout the summer. ...
- Gardenias are often best planted in the fall. ...
- It’s recommended to plant in the spring in cooler regions (Zones 7), as this will secure that the gardenia has plenty of time to sit before the winter. ...
How to care for your gardenia plant?
- Provide as much indirect sunlight as possible.
- Use a pot with good drainage and soil with the right acidity.
- Ideal daytime temperatures of 65 to 70° F (18.3 to 21.2° C).
- Provide a tropical, humid environment.
- Feed frequently with 15-15-15 fertilizer.
How wide do gardenia bushes get?
3 to 5 feetPlants grow 3 to 5 feet tall and wide, with a strong upright shape.
Where is the best place to plant gardenia bushes?
Select a site with full sun to light shade. 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 fast do gardenias bushes grow?
Still, the typical growth rate for a gardenia bush is about 1 to 2 feet per year until they reach full maturity. The average height for most gardenia cultivars is about 4 to 5 feet tall, and most of them are slightly taller than they are wide.
How much space does a gardenia need?
Plant your gardenias either in the fall or spring. If you are planting more than one gardenia, you must leave three to six feet of space between each plant. The hole you make should be twice as wide as the plant's root ball and only as deep as its length.
Why are gardenias so hard to grow?
Gardenias are known to be a bit of a challenge for gardeners. Frankly, the plant is picky and often needs more attention than other flowering shrubs. It prefers fairly acidic soil (a pH of 5.0 to 6.0), likes a tropical climate (but suffers in too much direct sun), and doesn't transplant well.
What side of house do you plant a gardenia?
North and east-facing exposures are ideal because the plants will receive bright morning light and some midday light, but won't be in full sun during the hottest part of the day. While gardenias make beautiful additions to borders, they don't like to be crowded by other plants or competing roots.
What is the best time to plant gardenias?
If you want to plant gardenias in your yard, it's best to plant them in the fall or spring, versus the heat of summer. Test your soil before planting.
How many times a year do gardenias bloom?
Gardenias produce flower buds in late summer and fall for the next year's blooms. To avoid removing these flower buds, wait to prune plants until after it finishes blooming in early summer.
How long does a gardenia plant live?
50 yearsWhat is the lifespan of a gardenia plant? Outdoors, gardenias can live up to 50 years in the right conditions and with proper care.
Does gardenia like sun or shade?
Gardenias perform best when they receive intense morning light and shade from the hot afternoon sun. Sun exposure is necessary for proper flower bud development – with too little sun plants will produce leggy growth and few flowers. On the other hand, too much sun can cause blooms to fade quickly.
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.
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.
Are gardenias good for front of house?
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.
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.
What goes well with gardenias?
11 Perfect Companion Plants for GardeniasSweet marjoram (Origanum majorana)Signet marigold (Tagetes tenuifolia)Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla)Camellias (Camellia sasanqua)Salvia (Salvia officinalis)Heuchera.Rhododendron (Rhododendron ferruginous)Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus)More items...•
Are gardenias low maintenance?
Hardy, low-maintenance plants, gardenias are suitable for growing in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 8 through 11.
How big do gardenias get?
Gardenias grow to full size of 2 to 8 feet (60cm to 240cm) tall. Smaller varieties grow to 2 feet tall (60cm). Larger varieties grow up to 8 feet tall (2.4m). Their width is equal to their height. However, most people trim them into interesting shapes or as a simple hedge. There are many varieties of gardenias.
How long does it take for a gardenia to grow?
If they have the optimum sunlight, water, and protection from the wind, they will grow optimally fast. Gardenias will produce flowers are 2-3 years on average, but depends on the variety. Some have been bred specifically to flower faster.
How long do gardenias last?
Gardenias are perennial. This is a scientific term which means that refers to plants that grow for more than two years. So, once it produces it’s flowers and autumn begins, it will keep its’ leaves. It also means that each year your Gardenia will produce flowers. This makes gardenias a low maintenance plant that is good to have in the garden. This is because they will continue to provide fragrant flowers year on year.
Why do you need mulch for gardenias?
Mulch provides a barrier between the heat of the sun and the surface of the soil. This stops the ground from drying out. You should use mulch on your gardenias. They need more water than cactus or aloe vera type plants. Varieties differ in how much water and sunlight they need to grow optimally.
How tall is Fortuniana Gardenia?
Fortuniana Gardenia. 8 to 10. 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20cm) 4 to 8 inches (10cm to 20cm) Full sun to partial shade. So, regardless of what space you are growing your Gardenias in, you can find on that will fit. A ground cover one, a mid-sized one, or a very tall one.
How to grow a sage plant in pots?
Another option we recommend is digging a trench. Mix the dirt you pulled out with pine bark, sometimes called pine bark soil conditioner. This will make the soil more free draining.
Do gardenias need sun?
They should be planted in full sun to partial shade. Gardenias prefer full sun. The more extreme zones give them a bit too much sunlight, which can dry them out. Therefore, you should err on the side of planting them in partial shade in hotter states such as California or Texas. Gardenias prefer moist soil.
How tall are gardenias?
Gardenia Tree Height. Native to Asia, most common gardenia shrubs are between 3 and 8 feet tall. Larger gardenia varieties, such as the extremely popular 'Mystery' cultivar, have heights between 4 and 6 feet and feature double blooms. There are also smaller reblooming cultivars from which you can choose such as 'Chuck Hayes,' which is one ...
How tall can a dwarf gardenia grow?
There are also dwarf gardenia cultivars that can easily be grown in containers indoors. They include the creeping gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides 'Radicans Variegata'), which has a maximum height of 2 feet. The 'Fragrant Pathways' variety is even smaller, usually growing between 8 and 10 inches tall, and it can therefore be used as ground cover.
How much sun do gardenias need?
They are picky not just about soil and fertilizer but also when it comes to sun and water. Gardenias can handle full sun, but they grow best in partial shade, which is defined as four hours of sun a day .
What is a gardenia?
The gardenia is an evergreen with leathery leaves and double blossoms.
Is a gardenia a tall plant?
Some gardenia varieties are as tall as a person, while others are short enough to be used as ground cover or to be grown in pots. Gardenias are invariably prized for their fragrant, creamy white blooms. They are hardy in USDA zones 8 to 11. Advertisement.
Do gardenias need room?
Gardenias need ample room for their roots to expand, so keep this in mind when deciding where to plant them. If you are growing gardenia plants indoors in pots, provide bright light as well as a humid environment to mimic the tropical climate of their native habitat.
Do gardenias need acidic soil?
Gardenias need acidic soils with a pH below 6.0; therefore, you should reach for fertilizers with acid-based formulas, like those created for azaleas.
What zone is Gardenia in?
Gardenia "Radicans" (Gardenia jasminoides "Radicans"), a prostrate or spreading form of gardenia, grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7b through 9. This plant makes a wonderful addition to any garden because of its lustrous dark green leaves and magnificently fragrant white flowers in spring and summer.
How tall is a sage plant?
With a height of only 1 to 2 feet and a spread of up 4 feet, it forms a graceful flowering evergreen shrub. Its horizontal branching gives it somewhat of an open, mounding habit that makes it an attractive ground cover. The small 1- to 2-inch-long dark green leaves give the plant an overall fine to medium texture.
What is a Radicans Variegata?
The cultivar "Radicans Variegata" has creamy-white leaf margins that draw attention to the foliage when the plant is not in flower. References. NC State University: Gardenia Jasminoides "Radicans".
Do you need to prune a Gardenia radicans?
Gardenia "Radicans" only needs pruning to remove straggly branches or spent flowers. Prune just after flowering to avoid removing next season's flower buds. While Gardenia "Radicans" is considered heat- and drought-tolerant, occasional watering will keep the foliage from yellowing.
How big do gardenias get?
Gardenia plants usually grow from 2 to 12 ft tall and wide (60 - 360 cm), depending on the variety. Blooming profusely over a long period of time extending from mid-spring to late summer or even fall, Gardenia flowers may be solitary or in small clusters, single, semi-double or double.
How many varieties of Gardenia are there?
Over 200 Gardenia varieties are available in a wide range of height, flower size and color, leaf size and color, blooming time and duration, and shrub habit. Here is the list of the most popular Gardenia cultivars.
Where should I plant Gardenias?
Plant your Gardenias near a deck or window where you can enjoy the divine flowers' fragrance! The most popular cultivated Gardenia species is Gardenia Jasminoides (also called Gardenia Augusta, Gardenia Grandiflora, Gardenia Schlechteri or Gardenia Florida), commonly known as Common Gardenia or Cape Jasmine.
Where are gardenias native to?
Native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, southern Asia, Australasia and Oceania, ...
Can gardenias survive cold weather?
Gardenias have not been bred to withstand extreme cold weather. Most varieties enjoy tropical or subtropical conditions and are recommended for USDA zones 8-11. However, a few frost proof Gardenia varieties can now be grown more reliably in USDA climate zone 7.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Where are gardenias native to?
Native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, southern Asia, Australasia and Oceania, ...
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.
