Gardenia plants are both the delight and despair of indoor gardeners. When Gardenias are happy – in bright light and acidic soil – they are shapely evergreen shrubs with:
- Glossy, pointed green leaves
- Creamy white, corsage-type flowers
- Heady fragrant flowers
But when your Gardenia may fail to flower, and may even suddenly decide to turn their leaves sickly yellow for any of several slim excuses. This does not mean that gardenias are impossible to grow indoors, only that constant and careful attention is needed to keep them in good condition.
First of all, find the variety that is best suited to indoor growing.
The species Gardenia jasminoides is the old-time Cape jasmine, so-called because people thought its home was on the Cape of Good Hope. It’s actually of Chinese origin and can grow four feet tall or more.
So can its variety Gardenia veitchii (fortuniana). Both are rather large for indoors and are best grown in the north inside a greenhouse.
Of all Gardenia varieties as an indoor plant Gardenia radicans is the variety to look for. Its 18″-inch height is more modest and its leaves smaller, but the two-inch fragrant flowers will begin to appear when the plant is quite young, in late spring and summer.
Care For Gardenia Indoors: Water, Temperature, Light
In a nutshell, as indoor plants and for optimum growth Gardenias need:
- Consistent temperatures: Daytime temperatures not exceeding 75° degrees Fahrenheit. Nighttime temperatures that never dip below 65° degrees Fahrenheit
- Fresh air with higher-than-average humidity
- Frequent misting or dousing with slightly soapy water, to keep the foliage pliant and dust-free
- All possible direct sunlight, except in midsummer
- Acid, humus-rich soil is kept constantly moist.
Check List of Gardenia Problems:
Problem: Flower buds fail to form
Caused by: Insufficient sunlight
Problem: Buds drop without opening
Caused by: Humidity or temperature (or both) too low.
Problem: Flowers and leaves drop suddenly
Caused by: “Shock” of being moved from one place to another, usually from the florist’s greenhouse into your home.
Problem: Older leaves turn yellow and drop
Caused by: Chlorosis; the plant can’t use iron in the soil. (Supply the easy-to-use iron chelate preparations; follow package directions carefully.) Or, soil mixture is not sufficiently acid. (Repot in fresh soil you know to be acid.)
Problem: Leaves and new growth turn black at the tips; plant defoliates
Caused by: A lack of balanced supply of moisture; keep soil uniformly moist—never bone dry or soggy.
FGN-1061