Gardenia is a heavenly sensory experience that transforms your landscape into a fragrant paradise! Gardenia is beloved for its showstopping, creamy-white, often double-petaled flowers sized 2 to 4 inches across, that releases an powerful, sweet perfume that floats on the evening air. This evergreen shrub typically reaches a size of 3 to 6 feet tall and wide, showcasing glossy, dark-green leaves. Gardenia's exquisite, long-lasting flowers are excellent for cutting and floating in a bowl; its year-round appeal thanks to its beautiful, dense, evergreen foliage serves as a stunning and classic foundation for Southern-style gardens. Its blooms offer an irresistible draw to pollinators like bees. Having Gardenia is a symbol of grace and luxury, allowing you to fill your home and garden with a fresh, elegant natural fragrance that is instantly recognizable.

Also Known As: Gardenia Jasminoides, Cape Jasmine, Common Gardenia, White Gardenia, Gardenia, Jasmine Gardenia, Gummie, Gumbi, Cánh Dày, Cape Jessamine.

Plant Name:	Gardenia
Latin Name:	Gardenia jasminoides
Days to Germinate:	28-70
Days to Bloom:	1 - 3 Years
Plant Height:	3 - 10 Feet
Spread:	3 - 8 Feet
Bloom Diameter:	3 - 4 Inches
Growth Habit:	Bush
USDA Zones:	7-11
Lifespan:	Perennial
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2026

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 6-8 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots. If the soil is heavy or clay-like, mix in some sand or compost to improve drainage. Optionally, form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 3 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage, ensure good airflow, and make harvesting for cut flowers easier. Lay down 1/2"-3/4" peat moss, sawdust, or potting soil, the soil surface. This layer is beneficial for flower seeds because it can the improve the germination environment and prevent soil crusting.

Planting:

Gardenia grows best in warm, humid weather (70F-75F).

Starting Indoors: Gardenia seeds do not require stratification, but may have a long germination period. Soak seeds in warm tap water for 24 hours to soften the seed coat. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in a flat with moist, fertile potting soil in flats 2-3 weeks before the last expected frost date in Spring, keeping seedlings at least 70F. Harden off then transplant seedlings outdoors in a sunny location when the soil temperature is above 65F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the holes, burying some of the stem in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting.

Directly Sowing: If directly sowing outdoors, plant in mid-late spring when the soil warms to at least 70F. To plant, make holes 1/4 inch deep and spaced 6 feet apart down the rows of raised beds, or 4 feet apart for hedges. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting.

Once Gardenia seedlings are 4-6 inches tall and have several sets of true leaves, transplant them to their permanent location. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the transplant holes, burying some of the stem in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting.

Planting Depth:	1/4 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	4-6 feet
Between-Row Spacing:	6 feet

Care During the Season:

Gardenias thrive with consistent moisture, bright indirect sunlight, and warm, humid conditions. Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy, using rainwater or distilled water if possible, as gardenias are sensitive to minerals. Feed every 2–4 weeks with an acid-loving plant fertilizer to support lush green growth and abundant blooms. Maintain humidity by misting, placing the plant on a pebble tray, or growing it in a naturally humid area, and protect it from temperature swings or cold drafts. Light pruning after flowering helps maintain shape and encourages healthy new growth, while promptly removing spent blooms keeps the plant focused on producing more flowers.