Gardenia: how to grow and achieve flowering of a beauty with an obstinate disposition

Gardenia rootitas or jasminoides is one of the most beautiful indoor plants.
But if a gardenia settles on the windowsill, caring for it at home should be constant and very attentive. In nature, this crop forms large shrubs or even trees. During flowering, they spread a magnificent fragrance for many meters around, and the most lush peonies and roses can envy the gardenia flowers.

The first stories about amazing gardenias decorating the chambers of Chinese emperors date back to the Song Dynasty, which existed about a thousand years ago. Although gardenias could show themselves to the fullest in the palace, even then gardeners tried to achieve the most magnificent flowering possible, preventing the crown from growing. This is how gardenias became spectacular miniature bonsais. In Europe, where the crop first appeared in the second half of the 18th century, it was also limited in growth by cutting and shaping the crown.

How to care for gardenia at home? This question haunts modern flower growers who have decided to decorate their collection with an amazing but capricious flower.

Today, in addition to these techniques, gardeners have access to specially bred indoor varieties. These plants are relatively small in size, and caring for gardenia in terms of pruning is a little easier, but the crop still remains demanding and difficult to grow.

Description of the plant

In the Madder family there is a genus of small shrubs or trees called gardenia, numbering about 250 species. The plant is found in tropical and subtropical regions of Southeast Asia, Africa, Australia and Oceania.

Gardenia received its name thanks to the famous botanists and taxonomists Carl Linnaeus and John Ellis, who named this evergreen shrub in honor of the American naturalist and physician Alexander Garden. And people began to call the culture “the bridal bouquet” for its beautiful snow-white flowers.

In nature, gardenias are evergreen trees or shrubs ranging in height from one to six meters. The glossy leaf blades are dark green and oval in shape with a slightly pointed tip.

Gardenia is a spectacular shrub covered with fragrant flowers

Gardenia buds are colored white, cream or yellowish. The corolla consists of several petals, the number of which is 5–12 pieces. The flowers are usually solitary, but in some species they are collected in small inflorescences. After the end of the flowering period, which usually occurs in spring and summer, a fleshy multi-seeded elongated fruit is formed on the plant (but this only occurs under natural conditions).

As befits a beauty, gardenia is very capricious and demanding of living conditions. Even with the slightest mistakes in care, it drops buds or refuses to bloom. Gardenia is very thermophilic and requires good lighting and soil rich in organic nutrients. Subject to the conditions of maintenance and rules of care, this beauty with an obstinate character will bloom annually, filling the house with a subtle and very pleasant aroma.

Gardenia is not only an amazingly beautiful plant that serves as an elegant interior decoration. The flower is an excellent medicine. For example, in China, gardenia is used to treat the upper respiratory tract; infusions from its flowers are taken to treat fatigue and insomnia.

Gardenia and tabernemontana

Very often gardenia is confused with tabernemontana. Externally, the plants are indeed a little similar, but still there is a significant difference between them. Tabernemontana has a milky sap in its shoots, which is characteristic of plants from the Kutrovaceae family. A distinctive feature of gardenia is the presence of stipules.


Despite their external similarities, tabernemontana and gardenia have significant distinctive features.

Varieties and varieties of gardenia for home cultivation (jasmine, brilliant, tree, etc.)

  1. Gardenia jasminoides (jasmine, jasminoides). The shrub is native to Japan, the Ryukyu Islands and China, and is also found in Africa. The flowers of gardenia jasmine are large, double, with delicate snow-white petals. The size of the leaf blades is 8 cm in length, their surface is shiny, the color is dark green. Varieties of this particular species or hybrids created on its basis can most often be found in the collections of flower growers. Among them are: First Love with double flowers painted in a cream tone, Flore Pleno with double double buds, Kleim's Hardy, whose distinctive feature is small waxy flowers and a compact bush shape, Veitchii, whose flowering lasts until December.
  2. Gardenia Tahitian (Tiare). This species got its name from the island of Tahiti, although its homeland is considered to be the Cook Islands and Hawaii. This is a rather tall spreading shrub, reaching four meters in height. It has beautiful dark green glossy leaves and creamy white flowers that exude an intoxicating aroma.
  3. Gardenia is brilliant. A distinctive feature of the species is the strongly corrugated dark green leaves with a shiny surface. The star-shaped flowers exude a sweet aroma reminiscent of apple and caramel, which is strongest at night. Gardenia brilliant is the most resistant to some diseases and pests to which all plants of the genus are susceptible. Thanks to this quality, it is very attractive for growing indoors.
  4. Gardenia rough. Under natural conditions, the shrub grows in North Queensland (Australia). It is a low tree growing up to 5 meters in height with snow-white flowers consisting of six petals. A characteristic feature of rough gardenia is year-round flowering.
  5. Gardenia tubifera. Homeland - Southeast Asia. This is a large shrub with a rounded crown. Large buds, emitting a strong aroma, change their color from ivory to golden yellow and orange. Flowering of Gardenia tubenosum begins in the spring and lasts until the end of summer.
  6. Gardenia keeled. A small tree native to Indonesia. Large buds up to 4.5 cm in diameter open white and then turn orange. On one plant you can simultaneously see snow-white, yellow, and orange flowers, making the bush look very impressive. Unlike other species, the aroma of Gardenia keelata is not very strong.
  7. Tree gardenia. The plant can grow up to 1 m. It has a spreading crown. Suitable for growing in the garden. Blooms from June to September.
  8. Gardenia thai (Gjellerupa). The species is very rare. White flowers bloom on the shrub, which subsequently turn yellow, and before falling off they acquire an orange tone. The plant is more tolerant of alkaline substrates and is more resistant to cold weather.

Photo gallery: types of gardenia, their names and features


The flowers of gardenia jasmine are large, double, with delicate snow-white petals


Gardenia Tahitiana has beautiful dark green glossy leaves and creamy white flowers that exude an intoxicating aroma.


A distinctive feature of the brilliant gardenia is its highly corrugated dark green leaves with a shiny surface.


A characteristic feature of rough gardenia is year-round flowering.


Large buds, emitting a strong intoxicating aroma, change their color from ivory to golden yellow and orange.


At the same time you can see snow-white, yellow, and orange flowers on one plant, which makes it very impressive


Thai gardenia is a very rare plant

Gardenia - species

Jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides)

Prefers tropical forests of Japan and China, with moderate altitude. In the natural environment, the height of the bush is 2 m; in home greenhouses and gardens it does not exceed half a meter. The leaves are lanceolate, uniform in color, 8 cm long. A vein is clearly visible along the side; less noticeable veins extend evenly to the side. Glossy leaves of green or dark green color. Often single flowers in the leaf axils. The main color is white, changing into different shades. Flowering depends on the variety and can occur at any time of the year. The aroma is very pleasant to smell. There are several varieties of jasmine gardenia, but all of them, in one form or another, have both external similarity and the same care and maintenance.

Conditions for winter and summer (humidity, temperature, light)

Among gardeners, gardenia is considered a difficult crop to grow indoors. For excellent growth, development and flowering, it requires a number of conditions.

Table: conditions for different seasons

SeasonLightingHumidityContent temperature
Spring SummerGardenia is a lover of bright light, but it must be protected from the scorching rays of the sun, otherwise the leaves may get burned. The best location option is windows facing west or southwest. The flower requires high and uniform humidity. To ensure ideal conditions, it is recommended to install an electric humidifier near the gardenia. If this is not possible, then you can place the gardenia pot on a tray filled with wet pebbles, having previously isolated the drainage holes (the roots should not come into contact with water). 21–24°C during the day, 15–18°C at night. For gardenia to bloom, the difference between day and night temperatures is important.
Autumn winterThe plant needs to be provided with the maximum possible bright light. To do this, the flower can be placed on the windowsill of a south window and illuminated with fluorescent lamps. When kept cool, it is necessary to reduce air humidity. In winter, it is enough to give gardenia a warm shower once a week. 16–18оС. During this period, gardenia lays flower buds. If the room is warmer, it will not bloom, and the shoots will grow thin and weak.

How to properly maintain a plant at home

Proper care will ensure the health of the gardenia, as well as its abundant, long-lasting flowering.

How and with what to water

It is recommended to use warm, boiled and settled water for irrigation. In summer, watering should be plentiful, and in winter - moderate. Periodically, you can add a few drops of freshly squeezed lemon juice (1 teaspoon per 1 liter of water) or 1-2 crystals of citric acid to the water. This will help maintain the acidity of the soil that gardenia needs.

Top dressing

Gardenia blooms continuously for a long time, so it needs a large amount of nutrients, with a lack of which it drops its buds and develops chlorosis. Before flowering and during the period of active growth, once every two weeks you should feed the gardenia with a universal complex fertilizer for flowering plants, diluting the solution according to the instructions. Experienced flower growers recommend using Kemira Lux for the procedure.

Gardenia growth and flowering period

Gardenia begins to bloom in April. This period ends only at the end of summer, and for some hybrids it lasts all year round. However, both need to be given a little rest in the winter so that the plant gains strength and lays new flower buds.


Gardenia flowers are beautiful and fragrant

Care after flowering: what to do in the fall

In October, it is recommended to trim the gardenia by shortening all the branches and cutting out the shoots growing inward. After this, the flower must be placed in a cool but very bright place, and the amount of watering must be halved.

Wintering gardenia

Gardenias do not have a clearly defined dormant period, and some hybrids can bloom all year round. However, in winter the plant needs to have a period of relative rest when kept cool. A rested flower will bloom more profusely.

For a cool winter, place the gardenia on a south-facing window and provide it with additional lighting with fluorescent lamps for up to 12 hours a day. The temperature in winter should be around 16–18°C. This can be achieved by separating the flower from a warm room with a screen. During this period, stop feeding and reduce the amount and volume of watering by half.


In the fall, before wintering begins, gardenia must be pruned.

An important condition is that the roots of gardenia should always be in warm soil. If the window sill on which the gardenia stands is cold, then place a piece of foam under the tray, thereby saving the flower from hypothermia and rotting of the roots.

Video: proper plant maintenance

Table: causes of problems (leaves wither, darken, wither, turn yellow, dry out, fall off, etc.), their solution

ProblemProbable CauseHow to fix the situation
The buds are falling
  • sudden temperature change;
  • overmoistening or overdrying of the substrate;
  • lack of light;
  • dry indoor air.
  1. Adjust the volume and quantity of watering, being careful not to over-moisten the soil and prevent it from drying out.
  2. Move the gardenia to a bright place or start lighting it with fluorescent lamps.
  3. During budding and flowering, do not turn the plant.
  4. Do not allow the plant to stand in a draft or be exposed to sudden temperature changes.
Gardenia doesn't bloom
  • indoor air is too dry;
  • keeping in too warm a room in winter.
  1. Place the gardenia on a tray of damp pebbles, sealing the drainage holes.
  2. Provide a rest period by reducing the temperature of the flower to 16oC degrees.
The leaves are witheringlack of watering
  1. Water the flower with soft water.
  2. Carry out the procedure regularly after the top layer of soil in the pot has dried.
Leaf blades turn yellow
  • roots are damaged due to improper watering;
  • lack of iron.
  1. Adjust the watering mode.
  2. Feed the flower with iron chelate (solution of the drug Ferovit according to the instructions).

Difficulties in caring for gardenia, tips

  • The leaves begin to turn yellow - the plant needs to be sprayed with a solution of iron sulfate in a small concentration.
  • Temperature changes during the period of appearance and ripening of buds are detrimental to the plant. Gardenias can lose all their color.
  • Sharp lighting adjustments and turning the pot during flowering negatively affect the ripening of buds.
  • Yellow spots on the petals, or yellowing of the leaves - perhaps water got on the flowers when spraying, watering is carried out with hard or cold water.
  • Incorrect or irregular watering leads to massive fall of buds. Perhaps the earthen ball is too dry, or the temperature is 16 degrees or lower.
  • The buds do not open due to insufficient light. Install additional artificial lighting.
  • The color of the flowers is dull, not bright, or even colorless - the soil is slightly acidic, or the humidity is too high at low temperatures.

How to save a plant from diseases and pests

Gardenia is prone to various diseases; a capricious plant, with any violation of care, can develop chlorosis, carbon mold and other diseases.

Table: why diseases appear and how to revive a plant

Diseases and pestsSignsReason for appearanceTreatment and prevention measures
ChlorosisThe leaves turn pale and yellow streaks appear on them. If chlorosis is not treated, the plant may die. iron deficiency
  1. Replant the flower in fresh substrate.
  2. When watering, use only soft, settled water, since hard water causes the soil to become saline, and excess calcium salts, in turn, prevents iron from being absorbed.
  3. Regularly feed the plant with complex mineral fertilizers.
Charcoal moldThe leaves begin to darken. Affected leaves may fall off. lack of light and poor air circulation
  1. Wash each leaf blade with green soap.
  2. Place the flower in a bright place and install a backlight above it.
MealybugWhite lumps similar to cotton wool appear on the leaves.excessive dampness
  1. Wipe the leaves and branches with a cotton swab dipped in an alcohol solution.
  2. Treat the plant with Aktara (according to the instructions).
ThripsGrayish-white dots form on the leaf blades.excessive dry airTreat gardenia with insecticidal soap or Decis (according to instructions).
ShchitovkaBrown bumps and sticky discharge form on the leaf blades. The leaves become paler in color. insufficient humidity in the room
  1. You can get rid of scale insects by washing the leaves and shoots with soapy water. Scrape off the tubercles with a cotton swab and wash all parts of the plant with a swab soaked in the solution. The treatment can be repeated if necessary.
  2. As a preventive measure, maintain optimal humidity in the room.
WhiteflyGreenish larvae cover the underside of the leaves. Severely affected leaf blades turn yellow and fall off. overwatering
  1. Treat gardenia with Actellik or Decis (according to the instructions).
  2. Reduce the amount of watering and apply fertilizer.
Spider miteThe visible mark of the mite is a thin web on the plant. Insects suck the juice from the leaves. If measures are not taken in time, the leaves may wither, turn black and ultimately dry out. the air is too dry
  1. Remove infected leaves and shoots.
  2. Spray frequently - spider mites prefer dry environments.
  3. Treat gardenia with Actellik (according to instructions).

Photo gallery: plant treatment for spider mites, whitefly, chlorosis


You can get rid of scale insects using a soap solution


The drugs Actellik or Decis will help defeat the whitefly.


The flower gets chlorosis due to hard water

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