How do I grow gardenia indoors?

Answer

Here is how to care for your gardenia houseplant (Gardenia jasminoides, syn. G. augusta)

Light Preference: Bright light with at least four hours of sunlight per day.

Watering: Keep evenly moist, not allowing to dry out to the point of wilting. Water with distilled water once a month to leach out fertilizer salts.

Temperature: 65º-70ºF during day; below 55ºF at night for best growth conditions. Higher temperatures will result in leaf and bud drop. Provide extra humidity.

Feeding: Feed during the growing season (March through September) with a dilute fertilizer with iron for acid-loving plants.

Transplanting/propagation: Transplant when pot-bound into a soil mixture of two parts peat moss, one part sterilized houseplant potting soil, and one part sand or perlite. To propagate, take 3- to 4-inch stem cuttings in early spring just below the leaf node. Dip stem cutting.

Maintenance: To encourage continuous bloom, keep the night temperature below 65°F and feed with dilute fertilizer with iron every two weeks during the growing season. Prune/shape the plants in early spring to encourage branching and compact growth.

Special points: Monitor and treat insect pests as quickly as possible. Avoid leaf and flower bud drop by giving proper light, temperature, and moderate humidity requirements.

For tips on a variety of gardening topics, see our Plant Information Guides.
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Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information Service

 

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  • Last Updated Feb 05, 2021
  • Views 431
  • Answered By Anita Finkle

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