Gardenia
Fussy but worth it: acid compost, soft water, steady warmth and humidity. Most failures are bud drop from a sudden change.
Care
Bright light, but out of hot midday sun; a few hours of morning sun is ideal.
Medium — keep evenly moist with rainwater or filtered water; hard tap water turns the leaves yellow over time.
Acid, humus-rich ericaceous compost.
Light trim after flowering to shape; remove faded flowers.
An ericaceous (acid) feed every two weeks from spring to late summer; add a chelated iron tonic if new leaves turn yellow with green veins.
Softwood or semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat and high humidity.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- AprilStart feeding with an ericaceous feed. how ›
- JuneCan summer outdoors in light shade once nights are warm. how ›
- SeptemberBring in before nights drop below 10°C. how ›
- DecemberWater less in winter and raise humidity away from radiators. how ›
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- AprilStart feeding with an ericaceous feed. how ›
- MayCan summer outdoors in light shade once nights are warm. how ›
- SeptemberBring in before nights drop below 10°C. how ›
- DecemberWater less in winter and raise humidity away from radiators. how ›
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchStart feeding with an ericaceous feed. how ›
- MayCan summer outdoors in light shade once nights are warm. how ›
- OctoberBring in before nights drop below 10°C. how ›
- DecemberWater less in winter and raise humidity away from radiators. how ›
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchStart feeding with an ericaceous feed. how ›
- AprilCan summer outdoors in light shade once nights are warm. how ›
- OctoberBring in before nights drop below 10°C. how ›
- DecemberWater less in winter and raise humidity away from radiators. how ›
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Buds turn brown and fall.
What to do. Changes in temperature, dry air, or drying out; keep conditions steady.
How to spot it. Chlorosis on new leaves.
What to do. Hard water or wrong compost; use rainwater and an acid feed.
How to spot it. White fluff or brown bumps.
What to do. Wipe off with alcohol on a cotton bud.
Questions
Gardenia: is it hardy?
H1c: Tender, needs above 5°C. It survives above 5 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Yes — usually grown in pots in ericaceous compost.
Gardenia: when do you prune it?
Light trim after flowering to shape; remove faded flowers.
Gardenia: when does it flower?
In the climate of UK it flowers in June–September.
When do you feed it?
An ericaceous (acid) feed every two weeks from spring to late summer; add a chelated iron tonic if new leaves turn yellow with green veins. Feeding months, UK: April–August.