Plant Bio

While there are many indoor plants that require little attention, gardenia houseplants are not this type. One of the most frustrating things about these lovely and fragrant plants is how finicky they are. If you plan on giving a gardenia plant to someone for a gift, be sure that they know how to care for it or they will be terribly disappointed.

Once you have found a good place for your gardenia indoors, your next challenge is moderating the humidity. This is especially challenging during the winter when the indoor heat kicks in. The drying nature of most heat can cause a once beautiful gardenia to fall to pieces, literally. There are a few ways to increase indoor humidity. The first is to group houseplants close together, the second is to spray a light mist of water on foliage during the early morning hours, and the third is to run a humidifier.

Keep your plant free of drafts and never place a gardenia where it will receive the direct force of hot air from a furnace. Provide water when the soil is dry to touch and add fertilizer or acid-loving plants during the growing season. Remove woody stems to encourage prolific blooming.