Gardenia plants, also known as Gardenia Jasminoides, are special plants mainly found in some parts of Asia and the tropics. It is distinguished from other plants with its fragrant yellow and white flowers, always known for attracting butterflies, birds, and other flies. Different varieties of Gardenia plants include compact Gardenias, less compact Gardenias, early bloomers, and late bloomers.
Gardenia plant serves various purposes. It is highly useful for medical purposes. It can also be used as clothes and food additives. In Asia, Gardenia is a major source of herbal medicine. It is a repository of highly effective chemicals which helps bring down insulin levels and reduces blood sugar.
You can dye your clothes and fabric with Gardenia plants. You can use it as a color additive for packaged foods.
How To Grow Gardenia Plant
Gardeners may find it difficult to grow Gardenia plants due to their nature. The Gardenia plants are very finicky. You need the correct dose of information, precision, and care to grow your Gardenia plant successfully. Below are proven and tested steps to grow your gardenia plants successfully.
Plant Your Gardenia Plants In The Fall
This is the first and essential precaution when planting your Gardenia plant. Both the summer and winter are hostile and unfriendly to various Gardenias. Whether you’re growing your Gardenia plant in the pot or naturally on your farm, plant it in the fall. If you have potted your Gardenia plant and intend to grow it indoors, take it outside to enjoy some warmth, especially when the weather is colder.
Note; Gardenias have a strong affinity for the moderate and baked atmosphere of the fall. Extreme temperatures can damage your Gardenia plant. If you are potting your Gardenia plant, take it indoors when it is too hot. If you are growing it in your garden, douse high temperatures with watering.
Choose The Appropriate Soil Type For Your Gardenia Plant
Like other plants, the Gardenia plant is picky with the soil type. Different plants blossom in different soil types – loam, clayey, sandy, acidic, or alkaline. It is mainly dependent on the nature of the plant. Gardenia is a unique breed of plant. They require soil that is a little acidic. The soil’s acidity should fall between 5.0 to 6.0 PH levels. Your Gardenia plant soil should be moisture-rich with optimal acidic content.
Dig A Sizeable Hole
After selecting the appropriate environment for your Gardenia plant, dig out a hole that sizes the root ball of your Gardenia plant. A smaller hole may constitute a constraint to the growth of the plant. Let the hole be wide to receive the root of the plant easily.
Put A Treated And Moisturized Soil In The Base Of The Hole
This provides an already treated soil base for the growth of your Gardenia plant. Let the dollops of treated soil be a few inches from the base of the hole. Preferably, it should be 1 to 2 inches. Moisturized and humid soil increases the growth rate of your Gardenia plant.
Insert The Gardenia Plant Into The Hole
After digging the hole and putting your treated humid and moisturizer soil on the base, insert the Gardenia plant into the hole. Ensure that the root ball sits on the same level as the soil base. This helps prevent a twisted and stunted growth process.
Cover The Roots With Water
After inserting your Gardenia plant into the dug hole with a moisturizer soul base, cover the plant’s roots with soil. You may not fill the hole with soil while covering the root. Let it just be enough to hold the plant firmly in its position.
Water The Plant
The next step is to ensure a good and deep watering of the plant after firmly placing it into the hole. Watering helps moisturize the soil and also provides a fertile environment for the plant to grow. It becomes necessary to immediately water the root after planting because it is easy to aerate the roots and provides breathing space.
Add Compost Manure
After following all the above steps to plant your Gardenia, use compost manure to support your Gardener plant; you can do this by gathering dead leaves and straws. Heap it around your newly planted plant. Leave a space between the plant and the compost manure to allow the plant to breathe.
How To Care For Your Gardenia Plants
Gardenia plants require extreme care and maintenance, unlike some plant species. After planting your Gardenia plant, the likelihood of surviving depends on how you can properly take care of it. Follow the outlined measures to care for your Gardenia plant effectively.
Avoid Exposure To Extreme Temperatures
Like other plants, your Gardenia plant should not be exposed to extremely hot or cold conditions. Maintain optimal temperature. Gardenia survives between 60 and 65F at night and 65 to 70F during the day.
Don’t Underwater Or OverWater Gardenia Plant
Overwatering or underwatering can result in swelling buds and turgid parts, which is not good for the plant. Use an appropriate amount of water when watering your Gardenia plant. Less water can also make the plant dry out.
Check And Pluck Off Dying Flowers
Sometimes, the flowers of the Gardenia plant may be dying off. Remove them. Dying and fading flowers can distort the growth of the plant. It prevents from accessing essential plant nutrients for growth.
Keep Off Indoor Gardenia Plants From Refrigerators
Your Gardenia plant reacts to extreme temperatures. They are very sensitive. If you are potting your Gardenia plants for indoor purposes, keep away from high-temperature devices such as Freezers and cookers. That can damage the plant. Take it outside and expose it to early sunrise, which is not too hot for the plant.
Use Fertilizers
You can use fertilizers for your Gardenia plant, but it must be a type suitable for your Gardenia plant. The fertilizer must be formulated to suit acid-loving plants like Gardenia. Azaleas and rhododendrons are always recommended for your Gardenia plant.
Note: When applying fertilizers, do not use them during the fall as they can affect the plant’s growth. Apply the fertilizers during spring or summer periods.
What Is The Best Place To Grow Your Gardenia Plant?
Gardenia plants can grow best in humid environments. Although it can be raised in a sunny clime, it may dry out when exposed to an extremely hot and warm climate.
Can You Gardenia Plants Grow Well When Potted?
Gardenia can be potted, and they can grow well and blossom inside it. Like other plants, potting Gardenia makes growing and caring for the plant easy.
How Many Times Should You Water Your Gardenia Plant?
If there is a good amount of rainfall, your Gardenia may not require little or no watering. The number of times you water your Gardenia plant should spend on how warm or cool the weather is.