Gardenia - home care for beginners and experienced gardeners

Flowers

Gardenia is a striking representative of the extensive Rubiaceae family. There are approximately 250 species of this flower, found in the forests of China, Japan, and South Africa. Most species are evergreen, compact shrubs; small gardenia trees are less common.

Gardenia Jasmine is most often grown as a houseplant; it forms a small decorative bush with snow-white flowers.

Gardenias are a delicate plant, so proper care at home is essential. Even minor care errors can cause the plant to become ill and drop leaves and buds.

Characteristics of gardenia and species diversity

Shrub species grow indoors into small bushes, reaching a height of around 50 cm. The foliage is a rich, dark green. During flowering, pristine white flowers with a pleasant fragrance bloom against the glossy green foliage.

Some varieties (in favorable microclimates) bloom twice a year, but most plants in this genus open their buds from July to October. The flowers are solitary, sometimes gathered in lush corymbose inflorescences of 5-6. They can be semi-double or double, and the diameter of the open flower is no more than 7 cm.

Of the many species, only a few gardenias are grown indoors. Photos and descriptions of these can be found below:

Gardenia jasminoides is the most common species, successfully grown by many gardeners. The bush grows to a height of no more than 70 cm, but in its natural habitat, it can reach up to 2 m. The leathery leaves are arranged in pairs and are dark green. The snow-white flowers are star-shaped and have a strong fragrance reminiscent of jasmine.
Gardenia Jasminoides
The Golden or Yellow Gardenia is characterized by a slow growth rate. In tropical forests, the tree can reach a height of 10 meters, but indoors it is much shorter. The plant's flowers are quite unusual: initially, the gardenia produces white buds that eventually turn lemon-colored, and by the end of flowering, the petals turn orange. With proper care, this small bush grows into a graceful tree.
Yellow gardenia
Gardenia citriodora is characterized by its compact size and attractive appearance. This low-growing plant is covered in glossy, lanceolate leaves. During flowering, the plant produces small, intensely fragrant white flowers. The diameter of the open flower is no more than 2 cm.
Gardenia Citriodora

Gardenia care at home for beginners

For beginning gardeners, growing gardenias can be quite a challenge, so before purchasing, you should carefully study its preferences and try to create the right conditions for the plant.

Lighting

For the flower to thrive, it needs good lighting. A room with diffused but bright light is an excellent location for the pot. Insufficient light can cause the flowers to drop, and direct sunlight can burn the delicate foliage. During the cold season, it's safe to place the pot on a south-facing window. During the growing season, it's recommended to place the plant on a west- or east-facing windowsill.

Please note!

It is important to remember that you cannot move or turn the flowerpot, as the plant may shed flowers and buds.

Temperature and humidity

This heat-loving plant should be kept in a warm room, without sudden temperature fluctuations. During the warm season, the temperature should be 22-24°C. In winter, this temperature is gradually reduced to 18-20°C. At temperatures below 16°C, the plant stops growing and withers. During flower bud formation, maintain a temperature of 18°C.

Gardenias prefer high humidity, especially when buds are forming. In dry rooms, buds may stunt growth or even fall off. Experts recommend creating an additional moisture source: add expanded clay or sphagnum moss to the tray, add water, and place the plant pot on top.

In spring, begin actively spraying the foliage with a spray bottle. This should be done regularly, and the water should be soft and lime-free. Once buds appear, ensure that the water only reaches the leaves; otherwise, the buds will lose their decorative appeal.

Watering and fertilizing

During the growing season, water the plant frequently and thoroughly to keep the soil constantly moist. The water used should be at room temperature. It is recommended to use clean, soft water, boiled or filtered beforehand. During the winter dormancy period, reduce the frequency of watering slightly and carefully monitor the soil.

Care — Excessive watering and stagnation of liquid provoke the development of diseases.

Gardenias love fertilizing, so don't forget to apply it regularly. Fertilizing should be done from March through August. Liquid fertilizer for flowering indoor plants should be diluted with water and applied no more than twice a month. The fertilizer should be diluted with twice the amount of water indicated on the package.

Diseases and pests

The most common gardenia disease is root rot, which can occur as a result of overwatering. Fungal microorganisms that thrive in poor-quality soil can also cause the rot.

Depending on the damage to the root system, the plant may drop leaves, appear wilted, or die suddenly. First, inspect the roots, remove any damaged parts, and treat the cut areas with charcoal. If overwatering is the cause of the rot, reduce the amount of water. If poor soil is the problem, an unscheduled repotting into new soil will be necessary.

Diseases — The disease can be identified by the foliage, which turns yellow, with the older leaves turning yellow first.

If a white coating appears on the foliage, indicating powdery mildew, the plant should be immediately treated with a fungicide. Affected leaves and stems should be cut off, and the room containing the pot should be ventilated more frequently.

Insects that can attack the plant include aphids, thrips, scale insects, and spider mites. They most often appear when the air is too dry and the room temperature is too high. Special insecticides can help get rid of them. If the pest infestation is small, a single treatment is sufficient. For severe infestations, repeat the treatment up to three times, spaced seven days apart.

Priming

This delicate plant won't thrive in soil containing lime. It's important to choose a potting mix with an acidic pH of around 5. Ready-made potting mixes can be purchased at any florist's supply store. You can also use a substrate specifically designed for growing azaleas. Florists recommend making your own potting mix. To do this, mix the following ingredients in equal proportions:

river sand;
coniferous soil;
leaf soil;
turf soil;
peat soil.

Priming — The bottom of the flowerpot must be covered with a layer of high-quality drainage material, such as brick chips or expanded clay.

Hygiene

It's also important to maintain the hygiene of this capricious flower, as any improper care can cause the gardenia not only to fail to bloom but also to lose its decorative appeal. It's recommended to periodically bathe the above-ground portion of the plant under a warm shower (provided there are no buds or open flowers). In addition to regular misting, dust the leaves periodically. Don't forget to dust the windowsill and ventilate the room frequently, avoiding cold drafts.

How to propagate and transplant a flower at home

Spring is the best time to repot and propagate houseplants. Unfortunately, gardenias are difficult to root, so propagation can be quite challenging.

Transfer

The plant should be repotted every two to three years, and only after the flowering phase has completed. If diseases requiring urgent repotting are detected, the procedure can be carried out regardless of the time of year. Repot the plant as follows:

First, select a pot. It should be a few centimeters larger in diameter than the old pot. The container must have drainage holes. Before planting, treat the container with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
The plant is carefully removed from the old pot and placed in a basin of warm water to make it easier to remove the soil from the roots.
A new pot is filled with a drainage layer and a small layer of fresh soil mixture, the flower is placed in it and covered with soil.
The soil is lightly compacted and watered with water containing a few drops of Epin. This product not only promotes good root growth but also has an antimicrobial effect.

Transfer — If young plants are being transplanted, the procedure is carried out using the transshipment method to minimize the risk of root damage.

Reproduction

Gardenias can be grown from cuttings or seeds. Seed propagation is more labor-intensive than cuttings, so it's rarely used. Cuttings can be rooted in soil or water, with the use of phytohormones. Planting material is difficult to root, so fertilizing and bottom heating are essential.

Healthy, strong cuttings are cut from the top of the bush and treated with a growth stimulant (Epin, Kornevin, etc.). The cuttings are buried 1-2 cm into the soil and covered with a cap or bag.

If rooting occurs in water, add a small amount of root growth stimulator beforehand. The liquid in the glass should be changed every three days.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to prune correctly?

After flowering, the plant is cut back to about half its length. In the spring and summer, pinching is recommended to stimulate the formation of lateral stems and flower buds. Trim with a sterile instrument, and treat the cuts with charcoal or activated charcoal.

Why doesn't the plant bloom?

If the plant is in a room that is too warm or too cold during bud formation, the chances of flowering are reduced to zero. For full bloom, the temperature should be around 18°C. Buds may also be absent if the growing conditions are improper, such as insufficient light, improperly selected substrate, or insufficient or excessive amounts of fertilizer.

Why do leaves turn yellow and fall off?

The most common cause of yellowing and leaf drop is improper watering. Insufficient watering or watering the plant with too cold water can trigger leaf drop. This can also be caused by a sudden change in room temperature.

Why can't you move a flower pot?

Gardenias are very sensitive to changes in light levels. The pot should not be rotated, much less moved, especially during budding. Relocating the pot will inevitably cause buds and flowers to fall off.

When growing gardenias, extreme care is essential, as any imperfections in care or microclimate can negatively impact the flower. However, this shouldn't discourage the plant. With proper care, it will surely reward the grower with lush, fragrant blooms.