Gardenia

Taxonomic Name: Gardenia jasminoides

Madder Family

Shrub

Caring for a gardenia indoors is something like raising a child. If you're skillful and attentive, you'll eventually realize that all the extra care was worth it. Still, all too many beginning indoor gardeners have experienced terminal discouragement when they started their hobby with a gardenia. But the person who gives the plant what it needs will be rewarded with large, fragrant blossoms that can fill a home with perfume.

How to Care for Your Plant:

LIGHT: Direct sunlight is absolutely necessary. If your plant is not in a sunny greenhouse or conservatory, place it in an unobstructed southern or western window. If you keep your plant outdoors in summer, place it in full to dappled sunlight.

WATERING AND HUMIDITY: Keep the plant's soil even moist. When you water, do not scrimp: at least a little water should come out of the pot's bottom drainage holes. The plant should not stand in saucer water for more than thirty minutes. Indoors, your gardenia may languish if the humidity is not high. Consider placing the plant on a wide tray of moistened pebbles, or use a room humidifier nearby.  

FEEDING: Feed once a month with a high-nitrogen (high first number) fertilizer at the concentration listed in the product directions. In spring and summer, also use a high- phosphorous (high middle number) fertilizer twice monthly at the concentration listed in the product directions.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS: If they're unhappy, gardenias will drop their flower buds before they open; but this frustration can be mitigated by making sure they receive strong sunlight and high humidity. Also, note that gardenias tend to not form new flower buds if the nighttime temperature is over 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Check periodically for whiteflies, spider mites, and scale insects. Touching the flowers with bare hands can cause the flower to bruise and have black marks. Handle flowers with gloves for best results. All these pests can be controlled with systemic granules or other properly administered products. See a Chalet horticulturist for specific commendations.