How Big & Wide Do Gardenia Radicans Get?

Size

• Dwarf gardenia grows to be between 6 to 12 inches tall, with a spread of 2 to 3 feet. The plant offers deeply fragrant, waxy white blooms that are up to an inch in diameter. The plant has a mounding, shrublike habit. A variegated cultivar, Radicans variegata, is available with oval shaped, grayish-green leaves that are edged in white. The variegated form may grow to be up to 2 feet tall, with a 3- or 4-foot spread.

Growth

• Dwarf gardenia is a frost-sensitive plant that does best in USDA zones 8 to 11. The plant prefers a humus-rich, acidic soil that is enhanced with organic matter. Water regularly to keep the soil moist at all times. Indoor plants prefer bright light, while outdoor plants will grow in full or partial sun. If suitable cultural conditions are provided, the plant may grow to a mature size rapidly.

Uses

• The small size of the gardenia, combined with its spreading habit, makes it ideal as a fragrant ground cover where it is hardy. The plant may be used between trees and shrubs or in any area with bare ground. Dwarf gardenia may also be containerized and grown as a houseplant as long as it is taken outdoors in the summer to soak up a little sun. The plant fits in especially well with a woodland or cottage garden theme.

Problems

• In general, gardenias are considered high-maintenance plants that are susceptible to a wide range of pests and diseases. Dwarf gardenia will suffer if grown in heavy, compacted clay soil, although this problem may be remedied with raised beds. Chlorosis, a yellowing of the leaves, may occur if soil lacks the proper nutrients. If temperatures change drastically, or if the moisture in the soil is inconsistent, dwarf gardenia may drop its buds and therefore fail to flower.