The Best Time to Plant Gardenias

Time Frame

• Plant gardenias in the spring or fall. Choose a planting location in full sunlight or partial shade for maximum blossom production. The gardenia grows best in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 9 to 10, although a few cultivars can withstand a zone 8.

Considerations

• Gardenias require a soil pH between 5.0 and 6.5. Choose a location that drains well and has ample organic matter. Avoid planting in coastal locations, as the gardenia does not tolerate salt conditions.

Warning

• Gardenias require a nighttime temperature of 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit for buds to form. If the plant is over-watered, under-watered or suffers from low humidity, it will not blossom. Gardenias require moist soil during bud formation. Apply 2 to 3 inches of mulch around the plant's base to help keep the soil moist.