Gardenia jasminoides - caring for the houseplant at home

Gardenia jasminoides belongs to the Rubiaceae family. Among houseplants, this plant stands out for both its decorative foliage and its abundant, beautiful blooms. The compact bush is formed by numerous glossy, dark green leaves, and during the flowering season, it delights with lush creamy or white buds.

This plant was first described in 1761, and its name was suggested by G. Ehret, who noted the similarity of the flowering plant's scent to jasmine. It is sometimes called Gardenia Augusta, which is now considered a popular name. In the wild, the flower is found in southern China, India, Japan, and Vietnam.

Gardenia jasminoides requires a fair amount of attention from the grower and careful care at home, as the conditions for growing the flower must be as close as possible to its natural habitat, which is not easy to arrange in modern apartments.

Description and benefits of indoor jasmine gardenia

In the wild, jasmine gardenias can reach a height of two meters. Indoor plants are compact, with the maximum height of the bushes varying around 50 cm. In warmer climates, some gardenia growers cultivate them outdoors, but this heat-loving plant is best kept indoors.

In the photo you can see that the gardenia resembles a small bush, which is densely covered with dark green foliage.

Gardenias with their snow-white buds are considered family plants, bringing peace, good fortune, and a cozy atmosphere to the home. Feng shui teaches that the flower not only purifies the air but also positively influences the energy of the home. This helps loved ones argue less and overcome difficulties together. Housewives prefer to place a pot of gardenias in the kitchen, as they are believed to improve culinary skills.

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Getting the plant to bloom is quite difficult. However, if it delights you with abundant blooms, it's a sure sign of miraculous changes in its owner's life. It's said that placing a flowerpot in a gardenia is beneficial not only in the kitchen but also in a child's room. The presence of a flower helps a child cope with difficulties and protects against negative energy. Some believe that a gardenia can even protect household members from the evil eye.

How to care for jasmine gardenia at home

Growing and blooming a gardenia indoors is quite challenging, as it requires a specific microclimate that remains constant. Even the slightest deviation in care can cause leaf drop, yellowing, and flower fading.

Lighting

Consistency is essential when growing, as sudden changes in temperature or lighting will cause buds to drop. The plant should be kept in a consistent location, as moving the pot or even rotating it is prohibited.

Temperature and humidity

Temperature control is crucial for gardenia jasminoides, as even slight deviations can harm it. During the active growing season, the room temperature should be between 22-24°C. If the pot is kept outdoors, bring it indoors before the flowering phase and maintain the desired temperature.

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With the onset of winter, the flower begins to form flower buds, so the temperature should be reduced to 16-18˚C.

A plant native to subtropical climates requires humid air. Care should include regularly misting the foliage, but avoiding water on buds and open flowers. You can use a household humidifier or place containers of water next to the pot. A tray of wet stones on which the pot is placed will also help increase humidity.

Watering and fertilizing

The soil should be regularly moistened with room-temperature water. In summer, the soil should be kept slightly moist at all times, and in winter, it should be allowed to dry out a few centimeters. Use soft water for irrigation and spraying to prevent stains on the leaves and the accumulation of harmful salts in the soil.

Gardenias respond well to fertilization. They are most often fertilized with mineral fertilizers for flowering plants. These nutrients should be added to the soil during the active growth period (spring and summer). It's helpful to feed with iron chelate several times a season, as well as add it to the spray. The fertilizer should not contain magnesium or calcium, as these elements make the soil unsuitable for further gardenia growth.

Diseases and pests

Delicate plants are often attacked by spider mites, aphids, scale insects, and thrips. Affected flowers slow or stop growing, and yellowing of foliage is observed. Affected leaves and buds often begin to fall off. Treatment should begin immediately after pest infestations are detected.

If the above-ground part of the plant is infested with thrips, first remove them from the flower using a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. Then, wash the leaves with warm soapy water before treating them with an insecticide. Similar insecticides (Inta-Vir, Fitoverm, Decis) are effective against other pests. For severe infestations, repeat the treatment 3-4 times, with intervals of 7-10 days.

The most common disease of jasmine gardenias is chlorosis. It's caused by using water that's too hard and contains too much lime. When chlorosis occurs, the leaves, especially young ones, take on a yellow tint, while their veins remain green. Treatment involves watering the plant with iron chelate and using only soft, lime-free water.

Priming

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For gardenia jasminoides, choose soil with an acidic reaction. A substrate intended for growing azaleas is suitable.

You can create your own ideal soil mixture using the following components:

• turf soil;
• high-moor peat (red);
• coniferous forest soil;
• leaf soil;
• coarse sand.

This procedure is carried out in order to remove salts from its pores that are harmful to the plant.

Hygiene

Maintaining proper hygiene is crucial for gardenias, as they are often susceptible to various diseases. Remove faded buds and dry leaves promptly, and regularly bathe the plant in a warm shower. In addition to misting, periodically wipe the foliage with a damp cloth to remove dust.

How to Propagate and Transplant Gardenia Augusta

Like any houseplant, gardenias require periodic soil and pot replacement. It's worth noting that the plant is just as fussy about soil composition as it is about basic care.

Transfer

For the first few years, young gardenias are repotted every spring. Once established, it's recommended to repot them every two years. When repotting mature plants, partial root pruning is necessary. This procedure is best performed in spring or after flowering has finished.

The transplant procedure is as follows:

1. The jasmine gardenia is carefully removed from the container, the root system is carefully examined, and damaged or dry roots are trimmed.

   

2. Place the flower in the center of a new pot, pre-filled with a layer of high-quality drainage material, and fill the gaps with potting soil. The potting soil should consist of peat, sod, pine needles, and sand.
3. The container with the flower is shaken to distribute the soil evenly, then soil is added, compacted slightly and watered.

After repotting, the pot is moved to its permanent location, protected from direct sunlight. This process causes significant stress, so don't worry if the leaves fall off. The adaptation period after repotting is three weeks.

Reproduction

The plant can be propagated in two ways: vegetatively and by seed, but both methods are quite difficult, as the plant is difficult to root. When choosing seed, it's important to pay special attention to the freshness of the planting material. You can purchase seeds at a florist's or collect them yourself. Care should be taken when handling the seeds as they are poisonous. The seed method is more suitable for experienced gardeners, as it requires certain skills.

Cuttings are much more popular. To propagate gardenias using cuttings, you need to familiarize yourself with the procedure:

• healthy cuttings are cut from the top of the bush; their length should be about 10 cm;

  

• peat and river sand are poured into a container with drainage holes in equal proportions;
• the cuttings are placed in a weak solution of potassium permanganate, after which the cut site is treated with a growth stimulator;
• deepen the cuttings into the soil mixture and insulate with glass or polyethylene;

  

• The container is transferred to a warm place with a temperature of around 25˚C.

The planting material should be ventilated daily and the soil should be kept moderately moist.

Frequently asked questions about growing

Gardenia jasminoides is a rather capricious and difficult-to-care-for flower. But with proper care, its blooming buds can outshine even the well-known roses. The long blooming period allows you to admire the delicate flowers, exuding the sweet scent of jasmine, for a long time.