To select a nice gardenia, look for a plant that is compact and full of glossy foliage. The leaves should be a rich, bright green. Since they are sparse bloomers, look for flower buds developing along the stems and at the ends of branches.

How much water do they need?
Gardenias need to stay evenly moist. They are sensitive to the quality and temperature of the water. Ideally, provide room temperature distilled water. Keep them a little drier when they aren't in bloom. Do not allow gardenias to sit with water in the saucer for more than an hour or two.

Do they have any special temperature requirements?
Gardenias bloom their best with warm days and cool nights. Other than avoiding temperatures below 50º, gardenias are fairly tolerant of a wide range of temperatures, especially if it is humid.

Do gardenias need much humidity?
Gardenias require high humidity to perform their best. Use a humidifier or a humidity tray indoors, especially in the winter.

How much fertilizer do they require?
Feed gardenias every two or three weeks with a water-soluble fertilizer such as Bachman's Excel Gro Plant Food. Several times a year, use an acid fertilizer. If you are not using distilled water, be sure to use the acid formula on a regular basis.

What type of soil do they prefer?
Use a high quality peat-based potting soil such as Exceloam.

When should I repot my gardenias?
When they are young, gardenias should be repotted each spring. As they mature, repot them only if they are very root bound.

Will they need any grooming?
Other than removing spent blooms, gardenias don't require much grooming. If they get too large or open, prune for shape. An occasional shower will clean off the leaves.

How are they propagated?
Unfortunately, gardenias are not very easily propagated by seed or cuttings. Greenhouse growers produce them from cuttings and root them in heat-controlled misting chambers.

What causes the discoloring on the blooms?
Gardenia blooms are sensitive to getting sprayed with anything, including water. Also, try not to touch the blooms. That can cause browning too.

Why do the buds drop even when the plant looks o.k.?
This is usually from either too little humidity or water that is too alkaline. Distilled water is best.

What causes the plants to wilt and the buds drop?
Even though wilting is usually associated with a plant being too dry, it can be a symptom of several different problems. Check to see if the plant is being kept too wet. Exposure to sudden cold temperatures will do it too.

When the leaves are yellow, but the veins are still green, what is the problem?
Gardenias are sensitive to water with too much lime, like much of the tap and well water in our area. Use distilled water and an acid fertilizer. The fertilizer should also contain iron.

And if the leaves are pale all over, even the veins?
Generally pale leaves develop when a gardenia isn't receiving enough light. It can also be an indicator that the plant isn't receiving enough fertilizer.

Why are the new leaves small and the growth spindly?
This can be due to lack of food and poor light.

What causes healthy looking leaves to fall off?
Loss of healthy leaves is usually caused by the soil being kept too dry. Drying can be caused by lack of moisture in the soil or the air. Keeping a gardenia where it receives a breeze (especially from heating or air conditioning) can cause leaf drop.

What causes leaves to turn dark, almost black?
Darkening leaves is a typical response to exposure of temperatures below 50º.

What kind of insect problems should I watch for?
Gardenias can have problems with whiteflies, mealybugs, spider mites and aphids. Monitor the plants closely (looking carefully under the leaves and at new growth) so you can stop an infestation before it does any damage.