Sweet Scented Gardenias

In our zone 6 climate, gardenias should be grown in containers and brought indoors during the winter. Place them near a sunny east or south facing window. They need four to six hours of bright light every day to thrive indoors over the winter.

Don’t over water. Irrigate only when the top inch of soil in the container becomes dry. Then add sufficient water to leach through the pot into the saucer. Throw away excess water in the saucer.

Gardenias need an acidic soil with a pH around 5.5. Many commercial peat-perlite potting mixes are sufficiently acidic for gardenias. However, if your gardenia foliage starts to yellow, you may need to add a soil acidifying drench. Products are available at many local nurseries. Follow label instructions carefully

Gardenias may attract aphids, mites and scale insects. These insects multiply rapidly and when left unchecked they will ruin your plant. Ultra Fine Spray Oil, a very environmentally safe product, the best choice for nailing gardenia pests. Spray spring and fall for best results.

Before spraying, move your potted gardenia outdoors to a patio or walk. Spray it thoroughly, being careful to coat the top and bottom of all leaves. The outdoor air temp should be 45 degrees or higher when spraying. Allow plants to dry before moving them back indoors.

Gardenias love warm, humid weather. In the spring, move your potted gardenia to a sunny patio or garden location that receives at least a half day of direct sunlight, preferably morning light. Apply fertilizer several times during the growing season, once in March and again in June. Use a quality slow-release fertilizer such as Osmocote.

Gardenia Blossom

There are easier plants to grow. But, if you're up for the challenge, no plant offers a more beautiful flower or glorious scent than gardenia.