Gardenia Planting Time

Climate

• Gardenias need high humidity and warm weather, or they drop buds. Bud drop is when the young flowers fall off the shrub before they bloom. They prefer daytime temperatures between 68 and 74 degrees Fahrenheit. The nighttime temperature should drop to approximately 60 F.

Planting Location

• Choose a garden area with air circulation toward your windows for a pleasant scent wafting through the room. While you can plant gardenias in full sun, they do best with some afternoon protection during the hot summer months. Avoid planting gardenias in a shady location, as they may not blossom.

Planting Time

• The best time for planting gardenia cultivar cuttings is during the summer months. Additionally, plant G. thumbergia from seed. Sow the seeds in flats containing an even mixture of sand and peat moss. Transplant or graft them when they grow their second leaf.

Fertilizer

• Fertilize gardenias monthly from April through November, recommends the University of Rhode Island. If you live in an area with low levels of potassium in the soil, choose a fertilizer that has from 30 to 50 percent slow-release potassium.

Watering

• The roots must stay moist for fragrant blossoms. The first thing that gardenias do when stressed is drop their buds. Watering the roots rather than the leaves lessens the chance of leaf fungus. Adding a layer of mulch helps the ground retain moisture.