How to Grow Gardenia Shrub or Houseplant

About Growing Gardenia Plants

To many of us, Gardenia shrubs are an attractive evergreen with dark green, glossy leaves. It produces a profusion of waxy flower blooms most of the growing season. It is also known to many of us as a houseplant. Either way, you’ll love growing Gardenias in your yard, home, or office.

This plant is native to tropical regions of China, Japan, and Taiwan. As a result, it needs higher temperatures and humidity. Also, it is very important to provide the right temperature for Gardenias, especially to promote blooming.

You can grow gardenias just about anywhere, in the flower garden, on a patio, on a balcony, on a deck, or indoors.

Did You Know? Gardenia flowers are popular with brides and bridesmaids. They put the pretty white flower in their hair.

Flowers Bloom: Typically, plants grown outdoors bloom in the summer.

Flower Colors: Cream and White

Plant Height: Five to six feet tall.

Hardiness Zones: 9 – 11

Caution: This plant is mildly toxic to pets.

Botanical Name: Gardenia jasminoides

Gardenia Plant Propagation

Like other plants, gardenias are propagated from seeds. However, it is easier to propagate them from root cuttings. Cut a five to six-inch long cutting from new wood. Root it in water

How to Grow Gardenia Shrubs

Gardenias need proper care and attention.

Temperature: Ideal daytime temperatures are 65-70 ° F, and 55-65 ° F at night.

Humidity: Plants prefer high humidity. Indoors, you can mist plants in the dry winter months. But, watch for signs of fungal infections. Provide good air circulation, especially during humid weather.

Soil: Plants like rich, well-draining soil.

Light / Sunlight: The plants need full, bright sunlight. Shade them from the hot, midday summer sun. for indoor houseplants, place them in a sunny window. You may need to provide grow lights, to supplement available lighting.

Water: Keep the soil moist, net wet. Allow the top of the soil to dry between watering. Indoors: mist frequently when humidity is low.

Fertilizer Regimen: Gardenias are acid-loving plants. They as need iron. Outdoors: fertilize every 3-4 weeks with an acid fertilizer that includes iron. Indoors, use 1/2 solution of liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.

Promoting Blooms: Maintain normal room temperatures until buds form. Then, lower the room temperature at night, or the buds may drop. They also need iron, or buds may drop. Provide total darkness at night

Pruning: Flower buds appear on new stem growth. Prune away dead growth and some old wood. This will promote new wood to form. Deadhead spent blooms.

Ideal Soil pH – 5.0 – 6.0