I got a small gardenia plant several months ago and all I have now is a few branches with little leaves. I potted it in good soil, fertilized, removed any rot and still have nothing to show for it; what am I doing wrong? Marie
Answer
Dear Marie - Gardenias are tropical/subtropical plants that thrive in high humidity, acidic, moist soil. When gardenias are grown indoors they are naturally stressed because of the change from their normal conditions. Your challenge is to replicate those tropical conditions the best that you can.
Here are some hints to caring for your indoor gardenia:
- Be sure the plant gets plenty of bright sunlight, preferably in the morning with shade during the heat of the afternoon. Keep them out of hot, direct sunlight and never place them near a heat register, furnace or any other heat source. Keep your plant away from drafts.
- Gardenias don't do well indoors when the air is dry which is a particular problem this time of year when the humidity is low. Indoor gardenias prefer daytime temperatures around 65 degrees F and nighttime temperatures around 55 degrees F. Increase the humidity by growing them in pots placed on a shallow tray filled with pebbles and water, or by using a humidifier, or by misting them. When the air is too dry the plant will drop its leaves.
- Provide water regularly when the soil is dry to touch. Do not allow soil to dry out completely. On the other hand, overwatering creates water-logged soil that discourages oxygen exchange in the roots and causes the roots to rot.
- Importantly, gardenias prefer well-drained, acidic soil with a pH less than 6.0, which means that you will have to use special fertilizers that are high in acid. Gardenias will not thrive on general-purpose fertilizers. You can also supplement your fertilizer with other acidic materials such as coffee grounds, tea or Epsom salts.
Thank you for your question and good Luck.
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About Linda Lillie
Linda K. Lillie is the President of Sprigs & Twigs, Inc, the premier
landscape design and maintenance, tree care, lawn care, stonework, and carpentry
service provider in southeastern Connecticut since 1997. She is a graduate of
Connecticut College in Botany, a Connecticut Master Gardener and a national
award winning landscape designer for her landscape design and landscape installation work.
