With its fragrant flowers, a gardenia bush is sure to sweeten up your garden. Here's how to grow any plant in the gardenia family.
Gardenia Bush Care and Growing Tips
Published on Jun. 12, 2025
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How to Grow a Gardenia Bush
- Common name: Gardenia
- Scientific name: Gardenia spp
- Hardiness zones: 8 to 11
- Light needs: Full to part sun
- Preferred soil: Acidic
- Size: 2 to 15 feet
- Attracts: Birds
The gardenia (Gardenia spp) family encompasses a variety of plants ranging from flowers in containers to bushes and even trees. They grow best in Zones 8 through 11, although they can be grown in colder climates in containers as long as they’re taken inside before the weather cools down.
A gardenia bush grows well in part to full sun, and tolerates a variety of soils ranging from clay to sandy. Indoor gardenias need to be kept in bright, indirect sunlight and require damp — but not drenched — and acidic soil.
Gardenias thrive in high humidity, so those growing them inside might need to add a humidifier to their indoor garden. Outdoors, it’s important to keep gardenias sheltered from strong winds. In winter, gardeners should cover their gardenia bush with a frost cloth or bring them inside, if possible.
Benefits of Growing Gardenia
Gardeners love the beautiful white blooms of a gardenia bush. Known for their sweet fragrance, the flowers gardenia produces are a favorite of warm-climate and indoor gardeners alike. These plants can require a significant amount of work given the specific conditions in which they grow, but most decide the beauty is worth the extra effort.
Gardenia Cultivars
For those looking to grow gardenia in a pot, try White Gem. Another popular cultivar, Cape Jasmine, blooms year-round in warm climates.
Gardenia Bush Pitfalls and Problems
It’s worth noting, however, that gardenias have a few known problems gardeners might need to address. Mealybugs, aphids, and other pests can pose issues, but it’s possible to deal with them using insecticidal soap.
It’s also necessary to note that gardenias are toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. If ingested, they can cause gastrointestinal issues, vomiting, or hives.
Ask the Experts: Gardenia Bush Identification
“My aunt gave me this tree and called it something in French, but I can’t find anything about it online. What is it?” asks Penny McPherson of Odenville, Alabama.
Horticultural expert Melinda Myers says, “That’s the challenge with common names—two or more plants can share the same common name, and these names often change as they are passed along from one gardener to another. Your plant is a gardenia; its fragrant white flowers and glossy green leaves are clues to its identity. Gardenias are generally hardy outdoors in Zones 8 to 11.
They thrive in sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained, acidic soils. Use an organic fertilizer or one labeled for acid-loving plants in spring. Gardeners in colder regions can grow gardenias in a container if they move the plants indoors for winter.”
Sources
- Missouri Botanical Garden, “Gardenia jasminoides“
- Gardenia, “Learn How to Grow and Care for Your Gardenia“
- Gardenia, “Gardenia Jasminoides (Cape Jasmine)“
About the Expert
Melinda Myers is the official gardening expert for Birds & Blooms. She is a TV/radio host, author and columnist who has written more than 20 gardening books. Melinda earned a master’s degree in horticulture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
