Fragrant, bushy and with amazing foliage, these are the things Gardenia bushes are known for. Usually found outdoors in southern areas, Gardenias are a tropical type of plant that thrives perfectly in warmer temperatures which is why choosing an environment of that kind is essential. Although with a reputation of being pretty difficult to grow, if you give your Gardenia bush the right conditions, it can thrive perfectly, both indoors and outdoors.
Except for the green foliage, what makes a Gardenia bush one-of-a-kind is its white to pale yellow flowers that spread an incredibly dazzling smell. Before we proceed to the other important things you need to know about Gardenia bushes, the one that matters the most is the place from which you will buy it. You ought to make sure it is a reputable nursery in order to be sure that you will receive a good and healthy Gardenia and one that will keep on thriving in your home.
Besides the warm conditions, the next thing you should take into account is the type of soil you’ll plant your bush in. Whether indoors or outdoors, Gardenias are all about acidic and well-draining soil that is extremely rich in organic materials. The best time to plant this incredible type of bush is fall or spring.
As I already mentioned, when planted outdoors, Gardenias are all about partial shades and warmer temperatures, and when inside, they can thrive good in light spaces with direct sunlight for at least six hours per day. Outdoor gardenia bushes require medium amount of water and deep soaking once every few weeks while the indoor ones need weekly watering. An important rule to remember is to let the top of the soil dry out before watering again and this applies for both indoor and outdoor planted Gardenias. During wintertime, the indoor ones will need a more humid place which means that placing a humidifier in the precise area is a must, or you can simply place the plant’s tray in another one that is full of wet pebbles.
Regarding the food, a fertilizer for acid-loving plants like azaleas is the ideal one for them and it should be applied in spring or early summer. You should also keep in mind that these types of bushes can also lack iron and the best indication for this are yellow coloured leaves.
Although they do not need extreme pruning, some varieties do need to be pruned in order to have healthier foliage and beautiful flowers. A rule of thumb is to use a sharp pruner and cut the branch where the leaves break. The more you prune it, the bushier it will be.
