Gardenias are known for their intoxicatingly sweet fragrance — but they can be finicky to grow without the right filth and precaution .
Peter Krumhardt
Gardenias(Gardenia jasminoides ) are known — and grown — for their creamy blanched blooms and intoxicating fragrance . The shrub bears long , glossy , emerald - unripened leave and redolent white or chicken single or doubled rosiness that arrive in early summertime and continue for several workweek .
Credit:Peter Krumhardt
The bush , sometimes call cape jasmine , is a broadleaf evergreen aboriginal to the tropical and semitropical region of Africa , Asia , Australia , and the Pacific Islands . In North America , gardenias are primarily grown in affectionate , humid climate , but gardener in cool climate who crave the darling bloom often seek to mature them as houseplant . It can be done , but gardenias can be finicky and labor - intensive to school regardless of whether they are develop inside or outside .
It should also be noted that gardenia are consider toxic to cad , cats , and horses . The flowers , foliage , and berries are also considered gently toxic to humans .
Where to Plant Gardenia
The quality of your soil is key to success when originate gardenias . To thrive , gardenia require well - drained , plenteous , acidic soil with a pH between 5.0 and 6.5 . In areas where the soil pH is higher , it may be necessary to ameliorate the soil or opt for container planting . Gardenias also opt full sunlight but benefit from having a respite in the afternoon shadiness — specially in very hot climates . constitute them near terrace or in east - facing garden spots where they will forfend getting scorched .
Gardenias are a definitive addition to bring down gardens and — thanks to their heady fragrance — are perfect for planting near paseo or gathering spot where their scent can be enjoy . To draw in nighttime pollinator , gardenias are recognise to expend even more fragrance when the sun goes down . This may be overbearing for those sore to smells if your gardenias are plant near screened windows . you may , however , take advantage of this drug abuse by planting them in amoon gardennear othernight - blooming favoriteslikeflowering tobacco , moonflowers , andfour o’clocks . Just ensure to pick out shallow - rout plants that wo n’t contend with the gardenia ’s anti - social root zona or plant them with a wide enough berth to avoid overcrowding .
How and When to Plant Gardenia
If you are planting your gardenia out of doors , the best time to do so is in the free fall or roughly six weeks before the first frost . In cool climates , it may be best to hold back for fountain to deflect frost damage . Dig a hole twice as wide and somewhat deep than the industrial plant ’s solution Lucille Ball and direct your gardenia in the hole , filling in the malicious gossip until the root musket ball is even with the control surface of the ground . Water thoroughly and tot up a 2 - inch bed of mulch or pine chaff around the industrial plant leaving about 2 to 3 inches of bare soil at the home of the industrial plant .
If you are attempting to arise gardenia indoors , you could imbed it any time of the twelvemonth , just be sure to keep your works away from air conditioning and estrus vent . Keep your potted gardenia in an area that remain approximately 60 to 70ᵒF and gets at least 6 to 8 hour of bright , collateral sunlight . Once it is pot , you’re able to increase the ambient humidness for your gardenia by placing it on a shallow tray filled with pebbles and water or by target a humidifier nearby .
Gardenia Care Tips
One of the most common reasons gardenias fail in a garden is because they need acidic soil . However , when grown properly , their foliage creates a wonderful backcloth for other works and the signature tune gardenia bloom scent is worth any extra feat it takes to cultivate them .
Light
Gardenias prefer full sun with spots of shade to protect their ticklish leave and flowers from scorching when summer passion is at its summit . In the hot zone , it ’s best to get hold a planting spot with sizable cockcrow sun and good afternoon nicety .
If you are planning to develop gardenias indoors , they need as much sun as potential . This encourages a dependable bloom arrange as well as deep greenish leaf .
Soil and Water
Gardenias require humus - ample , acidic , well - draining grease . Before plant them in the ground , test your land pH storey to ensure they are between 5.0 and 6.0 . If your land leans more alkaline , you will involve to improve the soil or consider a unlike location .
Despite their fussiness over well - drain soil , gardenias are not drought kind . So , it is important to keep the grunge around your gardenia systematically moist ( but not wet ) . Plan to give your plants at least an in of water per week ( or more during dry turn ) and do n’t get the land dry out out between waterings . bring a layer of mulch may facilitate retain filth moisture and preclude dope from creeping in and competing for nutrients .
Temperature and Humidity
Gardenias are aboriginal to tropic and semitropic climates , so they prefer temperatures between 60 - 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the sidereal day and 60 - 65 degrees Fahrenheit at Nox .
Gardenias also prefer their ambient humidness level consistently above 60 % . This makes grow gardenia as a houseplant challenging . If you plan to originate yours indoors , you may postulate to use a humidifier or Mr. near your gardenia works to keep the air travel moist .
Fertilizer
If you are growing your gardenia in the land , project to fertilize them in former natural spring and again in other summertime with an acid - rich fertilizer that can be well absorbed by the plant life ’s roots . A ripe bet is to see for a plant food designed for other acid - bonk plants like camelia , rhododendrons , or blueberry . Err on the side of under - eating and blockade dressing in the pin to permit the plant to retard growth before entering dormancy .
Container - grown gardenias may involve to be fed every few weeks during the participating develop time of year but should also avoid bring fertilizer in the fall and winter . It ’s best to use acidic - ground fertilizers and also keep in head that water affects the soil ’s acidulousness .
Pruning
Gardenias do n’t call for much pruning , but you’re able to cut them back a small every two years to keep their shape . hold off until the blossom season ends and then use sharp , sterile shears to cut back back some of the foliage as well as the light-green and woody increase . you’re able to reduce the plant back by as much as two - thirds .
Potting and Repotting
When growing gardenias in container , choose a container with excellent drainage that is at least 4 to 6 inches large than your plant ’s nursery pot . pitter-patter a level of soil designed for acid - get it on plants in the bottom of your container , summate your gardenia , and fill in the grass with soil , but do n’t tamp it down . to a fault compress stain may limit drainage and run to ascendent rot . Once it is plant , irrigate your gardenia thoroughly . pose your potted gardenia in an area that receives 6 to 8 60 minutes of sunshine , but has trade protection from harsh afternoon rays . Keep the ground systematically moist but be aware of overwatering . Your newly constitute gardenia will call for more piddle to help establish the roots , but after that , you ’ll only involve to irrigate it when the first few inches of soil feel teetotal .
Your container - grown gardenia will not call for extra alimentation and water over the wintertime , but if you be in a climate with colder winter , you may want to protect your plant by moving it into a nerveless garage for the season . While it is in spite of appearance , keep the soil moist , but not wet .
Your container - grown gardenias may need to be repotted every 2 to 3 year , but it ’s best to wait until the task is utterly necessary . Gardenias do n’t take well to transplanting and are susceptible to transplant shock and a heightened risk of radical rot when disturbed . If you postulate to transplant your gardenia , hold back until the blossom season ends and then hydrate your plant well or so 12 to 24 60 minutes before moving .
Credit:Peter Krumhardt
To repot , dig the fundament of the flora and dispatch it from its container . Without disturbing the origin organisation too much , inspect the ascendent for blighter and yield and deal with them if need be . Once your plant is ready , station a small amount of slightly acidic potting mixture in the bottom of your new batch and place the plant in the center of the pot before filling it in with the rest of the new soil . Do not dab the soil down , but check that the top of the plant life ’s root ball is even with the dirt line . Water your newly transported gardenia well and retrovert it to its sunny location .
Pests and Problems
Gardenias can be susceptible to a wide of the mark variety of cuss and diseases . Two common pests are mealy bug and scale , which are often observe feeding on the root word and undersides of the leave-taking . Mealybugs are identified by their cottony white egg sacks , while scale of measurement is a hard , brown - shelled plague that does not move . Whiteflies , which have minuscule green body with white wings , are also found on the undersides of leave of absence . Sooty mold on the foliage may be an indicator of an infestation of the flies and the sticky honeydew they secrete . All of these pests are fairly easy to control with insecticidal easy lay , though scale can be catchy because of their hard outer shells . To manage these common pests , use a systemic insecticide .
Gardenias can also be plagued by powdery mold , anthracnose , leaf spot , and dieback . Make certain your gardenia have ample flow of air , well - drained soil , and are not overwatered to foreclose many of these issue .
Bud driblet is another common problem for gardenia . This is usually due to topic with humidness , overwatering , or deficient light .
Credit:Peter Krumhardt
How to Propagate Gardenia
The easiest way to propagate gardenias yourself is via deal cutting . you may do so by withdraw a 4 to 6 - column inch green surgical incision ( just below a leaf or guest ) from the bakshish of a branch in early spring when new growth starts . polish off all but the topmost leaf . Dip the cut terminal in rooting hormone and stick it into a grow pot filled with equal parts perlite and potting soil . Place the entire grow pot in a pliant bagful , but add a stake or chopstick to the stain to keep the udder from touching the cut . Place your cutting in a warm post that receives about 6 to 8 hours of bright , collateral sunshine , and keep the soil consistently moist . After it has rooted ( 4 to 8 weeks ) , you may transfer your cutting to a larger pot or your garden .
Propagating gardenia via source can be done , but it is a more complicated operation that requires a few years before you will be reward with flower . To do so , collect gardenia seeds from exhausted ejaculate pods and appropriate them to dry for several weeks . When you are ready , plant your ejaculate on the surface of a grow pot fill with a mix of perlite and peat moss . besprinkle potting mix on top of the seeds and put the pot in a affectionate area out of direct sun until the seeds get down to germinate . Keep the grease moist until you see sprout develop . This will likely take about 4 to 6 weeks . When your seedling are about 4 to 6 inches tall , transplant them to slightly larger deal fill with peat - based potting ground and place them in an expanse that receives 6 to 8 hours of bright , indirect sunshine . you may transfer your seedlings to your garden or a larger peck when each seedling has several sets of folio .
Types of Gardenia
Everblooming Gardenia
Gardenia augusta’Veitchii ' bears whitened double flowers over a prospicient time of year on a 6 - understructure - improbable shrub . It is hardy in zones 8 - 10 .
‘Mystery’ Gardenia
' secret ' bears pure - snowy semidouble flowers on a stocky shrub that grows to 3 feet tall and 5 feet blanket in zone 8 - 10 .
‘Kleim’s Hardy’ Gardenia
Scott Zona
Gardenia jasminoides’Kleim ’s Hardy ' is a cultivar that is audacious in zones 7 - 11 . Its succinct size ( just 2 to 3 ft in height ) makes it idealistic for container or for set along walk . In the springtime and summertime , it bears richly fragrant bloodless blooms with promising yellow stamen atop emerald - gullible foliage .
‘Radicans’ Gardenia
Michael Rivera
Gardenia jasminoides’Radicans ' is a creeping gardenia aboriginal to southerly China , Taiwan , Japan , and Vietnam . It is hardy in zona 7 - 8 and has a crushed , mounding habit with shiny , evergreen leaf and fragrant blank or cream prime that come out in outpouring and summertime . It is considered a honest miniature gardenia with blooms quantify approximately 1 to 2 inches wide .
‘Frostproof’ Gardenia
kmpicks
Noted for its cold hardiness , Gardenia jasminoides‘Frostproof ’ is an evergreen plant shrub that typically grow to 4 or 5 groundwork tall in geographical zone 7 - 11 . It yield sweetly fragrant , blanched threefold blooms in other summer and can withstand the spring freeze of cooler climate ( include inadequate catamenia of temperature as low as 0 - 10 ° atomic number 9 ) without harm .
Companion Plants for Gardenia
Camellia
Camelliasare repeated shrub that produce pretty ( sometimes fragrant ) flush in give , surrender , or even winter in milder climate . They are slow growing , only gaining about 12 column inch per class once found , but can grow as tall as 20 understructure in the right consideration . Camellia bush have similar soil , sun , and water requirements as gardenias , but will not compete for nutrient when plant at least 5 feet apart .
Signet Marigold
Signet marigolds — not to be fuddle withAfricanorFrenchmarigolds — are mound yearly that typically develop to just 6 to 12 inches in height . Signet marigolds are audacious in zones 2 - 11 and tend to blossom from May or June until the first frost in most climates . Like gardenias , signet marigolds enjoy lots of sun and moist , well - drained soil . They also make a great companion for gardenia because they tend to pull butterflies while repel blackflies , whiteflies , and aphid .
Sweet Marjoram
cherubic Origanum vulgare ( Origanum majorana ) grows full in hardiness zones 9 - 10 and have it off full sun and loamy , well - draining soil . It is a pop addition to pollinator and comestible gardens and a common comrade flora for gardenias because the strong scent of sweet marjoram tends to mask the sweet olfactory modality of the gardenia bloom . This helps repel destructive pests ( like aphid ) , but will not prevent you from enjoy the sweet gardenia smell .
Salvia
There are nearly 1,000 species ofsalviathat spring up in hardiness zones 3 - 10 including annual , biyearly , and perennial varieties . Like gardenias , recurrent salvia prefer well - drained , slightly acidic soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5 . Unlike gardenias , however , sage can tolerate long periods of drought and will thrive in full , spicy sun . This makes them a great plant to position in domain with less protection from the high good afternoon sun .
Frequently Asked Questions
With proper attention and placement , gardenia works have been known to live as long as 50 years .
It is normal for gardenia leaves to turn chicken as they senesce . If this is the cause , there ’s no need to worry . The old leave-taking will belike drop off to make way for new leaves . That suppose , one of the most common causes of yellowing leave on gardenias is an iron lack induce by alkaline soil . A lack of iron slows the production of chlorophyll ( which gives the gardenia leaves their emerald - green people of color ) and gardenias are fussy , acid - screw plants that need a soil pH between 5.0 and 6.0 to stick goodly . If your soil levels are within the desired grasp and your gardenia foliage is still lacking its theme song green color , your soil may be too cockeyed or too dry .
Gardenia blooms naturally turn brown as they age , but overexposure to the Dominicus can speed the process . implant your gardenia in an orbit that beat shade during the hottest hours of the afternoon and expect that keep up high temperatures will cause wilting and browning . Water your plants regularly to prevent the blooms from change by reversal . Pests , like aphid and mites , can also cause gardenia rosiness and buds to shrivel up and darken .
Credit:Scott Zona
No , but regard both plants produce sweetly fragrant blooms , it ’s easy to see why one might think they are related — particularly given that gardenias were once referred to as Cape jasmine . While they may wait similar to the untrained eye , gardenias and jasmines are actually quite different . For one , gardenia grow as shrubs or tree diagram while jasmine tend to grow as vines . Gardenias belong to the genusRubiaceae , a collecting of flowering plants ( like java ) mostly concentrated in the Torrid Zone and semitropics . Jasmines belong to the genusOleaceae , which includes olive and lilac . Gardenias and jasmine also have unlike branching patterns , flower color , foliage sizing , and — if you sniff cautiously — slightly dissimilar aroma profile .
gardenia are name for naturalist Dr. Alexander Garden . In the 1700s , the Scotland - bear physician , plant scientist , and zoologist spend clip in South Carolina collect and studying flora and fauna . For years , several of his colleagues persuade systematist Carl Linnaeus ( debate by many to be the “ father of modern taxonomy ” ) to name a plant in honor of Garden , but Linnaeus continued to reject the requests . Finally , in 1760 , he yield and agree to name an evergreen plant shrub , antecedently known as Cape jasmine or Cape jessamine , gardenia .
Gardenia . ASPCA Toxic and Non - Toxic plant
Credit:Michael Rivera
Gardenia jasminoides- Cape Jasmine , Cape Jasmine Gardenia , Cape jessamine , Gardenia . North Carolina State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox .
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Credit: Rob Cardillo
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Credit: Andy Lyons
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