I've tried, unsuccessfully, to keep a gardenia alive. I've read all the tips, etc. and each time I plant a gardenia it lives 3-6 months, then dies. I love gardenias. Please help.
By Diane
I grow my gardenias in self watering containers; all you have to do is keep the container full. They don't like to dry out or be over watered, thus the self watering container. Get the kind that has a tube that you put the water in. It fills the reservoir in the bottom. The gardenia is a very thirsty plant. I also sprinkle tea and coffee grounds on the soil to keep the leaves green. good luck.
Diane: you failed to say where you live but here in south GA. I plant mine in the ground and mulch it against dry weather water a lot and feed regularly at least once a month during the growing and flowering season.
When plants are in pots, they can become root bound and may need new soil and a larger pot. This is a page about leaves on gardenia turning brown.
Encouraging a potted gardenia to bloom may require giving it some acidic fertilizer. This is a page about gardenia not blooming.
The fragrant, white flowers of the gardenia bush make a beautiful garden photo subject. This page contains gardenia photos.
This is a page about indoor gardenia care. Gardenias make wonderful houseplants. Proper care for you gardenia will ensure it is healthy enough to flower.
