Q. How do I grow gardenia indoors?
Answer
Gardenia
Scientific Name: Gardenia augusta, syn. G. jasminoides
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.
- Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information Service
