- Not all gardenias are hardy
- Overwinter gardenia indoors
- Ideal places for overwintering gardenias
- Gardenia care in winter
- Protect the gardenia from drafts and frequent changes of location
Some types of gardenia are so hardy that you can certainly grow them in the garden - provided that the location does not get too frosty. In our latitudes, however, the Gardenia jasminoides is usually cultivated. This variety is not hardy and is therefore only kept as a house or container plant.
Gardenia jasminoides is not hardy at all
Not all gardenias are hardy
Almost all gardenia varieties cultivated here do not tolerate frost and must therefore be overwintered indoors. This applies in particular to the slightly poisonous Gardenia jasminoides, which is not hardy and cannot even tolerate temperatures below 12 degrees.
Gardenia varieties that are conditionally hardy can be cultivated in a protected location in the garden all year round. But keep in mind that frost is only tolerated for a very short time. Therefore, protect these varieties with mulch and garden fleece in cold winters.
Overwinter gardenia indoors
Gardenia varieties that are not hardy can be placed on the terrace in summer. Make sure there is a bright but not directly sunny place.
As soon as the temperature outside falls below ten degrees, you have to bring the plant indoors. Examine them carefully for pest infestation beforehand so that no uninvited guests can sneak in.
Ideal places for overwintering gardenias
Places that are bright and not too warm or too cold are suitable for overwintering a gardenia:
- bright entrance areas
- cool conservatories
- slightly tempered greenhouses
- bedroom window
Gardenia care in winter
Gardenias do not rest in winter. However, they are watered a little more sparingly, as waterlogging develops quickly at cooler temperatures.
The gardenia is not fertilized during the winter.
Protect the gardenia from drafts and frequent changes of location
Gardenias are relatively delicate. They do not tolerate draughts, nor do they like it when the location is changed frequently. Therefore, even in winter, make sure you have a place where it is not drafty and where the plant can stay for a long time.
tips
The gardenia only develops its pretty and fragrant flowers if the temperatures during the growth phase are not too warm at 16 to 18 degrees. Once the flowers have opened, the temperatures can be higher at 17 to 24 degrees.