Considerations

• Plant gardenias in the fall or spring in either indoor pots or an area in your garden that is suitable for the shrub's full height and spread of 2 to 8 feet, depending on the variety. If planting outdoors, consider locating it near a window or deck where you can enjoy the intense fragrance from the blossoms, which occur from May through July.
  
  Look for signs of any of the several pests that plague the gardenia. Some of the more common insect infestations are mealy bugs, which cause the tops of leaves to become pale or spotted, and white flies, which appear as white cotton on the undersides of leaves. To treat these unwanted pests, the National Gardening Association recommends using a horticultural oil or insecticidal soap.
  
  The most common diseases are canker fungus, identifiable by a main stem swollen near the soil line that is bright yellow above, and bacterial leaf spot, which presents as small, round spots on young, tender leaves that eventually become reddish-brown areas surrounded by a yellow halo. The University of Rhode Island Landscape Horticultural Department recommends you avoid taking cuttings from infected plants and sterilize soil and pots with an antifungal.
  
  

Soil

• Plant your gardenia shrubs 3 to 6 feet apart in an acid soil (a pH between 5 and 6) with added peat moss and compost mixed in. Add a layer of mulch, sawdust or ground bark 2 to 3 inches high above the plant to keep the soil moist, cool and free of weeds. The National Gardening Association also recommends avoiding planting gardenias near a concrete walk or foundation, as the pH may be too high for plant growth.
  
  Fertilize monthly between April and November using fertilizer that is specifically formulated for acid-loving plants. The gardening experts at Gardening Know How warn not to overfertilize gardenia plants, which can lead to salt accumulation and damage the shrub. They also recommend not fertilizing your gardenia in the fall, which can stimulate growth and make it vulnerable to cold winter temperatures.
  
  

Water

• If your gardenias aren't getting the equivalent of an inch of rain each week, water them with an equivalent amount. High humidity is essential to healthy gardenia plants, both indoors and out, which proper watering should provide. Never mist the leaves, however, which can contribute to leaf spot fungal problems. With indoor plants, use a humidifier or place your plant on a tray of wet pebbles.
  
  

Light

• Place your outdoors gardenia plant in an area where it will receive partial shade. An east porch or covered west porch will also work well. These plants thrive on temperatures of 68 to 74 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 60 degrees at night. Protect your bushes from hard freezes and drying winter winds. If you live in an area that has severe winters, consider using an outdoor pot and bringing the plant indoors during the winter months.
  
  

Pruning

• Prune your gardenia shrubs in early spring to shape the bush, and deadhead after flowering to produce more flowers. The Gardening Know How experts also recommend pruning gardenias after flowering has finished for the season, removing straggly branches and faded flowers to keep the plant in good condition and help it withstand winter weather.