Gardenia

Description

Gardenia is a genus of flowering plants prized for their fragrant, creamy-white blooms and glossy evergreen foliage. They are often grown as ornamental shrubs in warm climates or as indoor plants in cooler areas.

🌸 Gardenia – Plant Description

• Common Name: Gardenia

• Botanical Name: Gardenia spp. (especially Gardenia jasminoides)

• Family: Rubiaceae (coffee family)

• Plant Type: Evergreen shrub or small tree

🌿 Appearance

• Height/Spread: Typically 2–6 feet (0.6–1.8 m) tall and wide; dwarf varieties are more compact

• Foliage: Glossy, dark green, leathery leaves; evergreen

• Flowers:

  • Waxy, creamy-white to ivory blooms with rose-like or star-shaped form

  • Intensely fragrant

  • Single or double petal forms

  • Bloom time: Late spring through summer (some varieties bloom intermittently year-round in ideal conditions)

🌞 Growing Conditions

• Light: Bright indirect light (indoors) or partial shade (outdoors); morning sun preferred

• Soil: Acidic (pH 5.0–6.5), well-draining, rich in organic matter

• Water: Consistently moist but not soggy; sensitive to over- and under-watering

• Humidity: High humidity required; misting or a humidity tray helps indoors

• Hardiness Zones: USDA 8–11 (outdoors); grow in containers in cooler zones

🌼 Care Tips

• Fertilizer: Use acid-loving plant fertilizer (e.g., azalea fertilizer) monthly during growing season

• Pruning: After flowering to shape and remove dead or spindly growth

• Pests/Diseases: Susceptible to aphids, scale, spider mites, root rot, and chlorosis

• Container Growing: Ideal for patios and indoor spaces; requires repotting every 2–3 years