GARDENIA CARE

Gardenia care is not difficult if you follow a few basic gardenia care guidelines. Gardenias require a warm sunny frost free position.

Soil Type for Growing Gardenias
A humus rich moist but free draining soil is best for growing gardenias. A soil ph of 4.5 to 5.5 is recommended and some specialist gardenia foods will help adjust soil ph.

Temperature for Gardenia care
Generally Gardenias do not like cold nighttime temperatures and they love warm days. Gardenia Radicans, a dwarf or prostrate form of Gardenia is a little more tolerant of the cold than other species. Try planting in a sunny but sheltered position with no chance of frost, gardenias do not like frost.

Gardenias can be grown in containers in colder climates, this allows a little extra gardenia care, you can bring them into an enclosed patio during winter.

Try to keep Gardenias in a humid position when indoors. We do not mist spray gardenias, it seems to cause more problems, for humidity try sitting your indoor gardenia pot on top of a saucer filled with pebbles and water, remember gardenias do not like wet root systems.

Fertilizing Gardenias
One of the most important aspects of gardenia care is fertilisation. We suggest a specialist gardenia fertiliser for best results.

Gardenia pest and diseases

Yellow leaves on Gardenias.
If you apply a specialist gardenia fertiliser early in spring yellow leaves are usually not a problem. A specialist gardenia fertiliser will correct any magnesium deficiency that is generally the cause of yellow leaves.

Bud Drop on Gardenias
Bud drop is common in gardenias particularly during winter and into spring. Gardenias produce a lot of buds, the ones that they produce late in Fall tend to drop off in early spring without opening and then the gardenia produces new buds. Nematodes can also cause bud drop, consult your local nursery for a specialist product.

Scale and Mealy Bug on Gardenias
Try a horticultural oil. See your local nursery for the right product.

Gardenia Species and Cultivars