108 gardener saves
Gardenia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
We track 13 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Gardenia varieties
Of 13 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedGardenia Jubilation
Gardenia jasminoides 'Jubilation'
#2 most savedSteady As She Goes Gardenia
Gardenia jasminoides 'Steady As She Goes'
#3 most savedGardenia jasminoides Diamond Spire
Gardenia jasminoides 'Diamond Spire'
August Beauty Gardenia
Gardenia augusta 'August Beauty'
Dwarf Gardenia
Gardenia jasminoides 'Radicans'
Double Mint Gardenia
Gardenia 'Leefive'
Jubilation Gardenia
Gardenia jasminoides 'Leeone'
Kleim's Hardy Gardenia
Gardenia jasminoides 'Kleim'
Double Mint Gardenia
Gardenia jasminoides 'Double Mint'
Buttons Gardenia
Gardenia jasminoides 'Buttons'
ScentAmazing Gardenia
Gardenia jasminoides 'Scent Amazing'
Prince Charles Gardenia
Gardenia jasminoides 'Prince Charles'
Browse all 13 Gardenia varieties →
How to grow Gardenia
What the Gardenia varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 13 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Gardenia year
- PruneJune and July100% of varieties
Prune lightly to shape immediately after flowering finishes.
- FertilizeMarch, May and July100% of varieties
Feed with an acid-loving plant fertilizer after blooming and through the growing season.
- Check for PestsApril–August100% of varieties
Regularly inspect for aphids, whiteflies, and scale insects.
- MulchApril and October69% of varieties
Apply a 2-inch layer of pine straw or bark to retain moisture and acidify soil.
- PlantMarch, April, September and October38% of varieties
Plant in spring or fall to allow roots to establish before extreme temperatures.
Do
- Water consistently to keep soil moist 🌱
- Mulch to conserve moisture and keep roots cool.
- Fertilize regularly during the growing season.
- Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry spells.
- Use acidic fertilizer.
Avoid
- Do not plant in alkaline or neutral soil.
- Avoid letting the soil dry out completely.
- Don't plant in alkaline or neutral soil.
- Avoid overhead watering, which can promote leaf spot.
What goes wrong with Gardenia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Whiteflies | Clouds of tiny white insects fly up when disturbed; sticky honeydew on leaves. | Use yellow sticky traps. Spray with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. For severe cases, use a systemic insecticide containing imidacloprid. |
| Aphids | Clusters of small insects on new growth; distorted leaves; sticky honeydew. | A strong jet of water can dislodge them. Introduce ladybugs. Spray with neem oil or pyrethrin-based insecticides. |
| Scale Insects | Hard or soft bumps on stems and leaves, leading to sooty mold. | Scrub off with a soft brush; apply horticultural oil during the dormant season. |
| Scale | Hard or soft bumps on stems and leaves; sooty mold. | Apply horticultural oil during the dormant season. Systemic insecticides can be effective for heavy infestations. |
| Sooty Mold | A black, powdery coating on leaves, which is a fungus growing on insect honeydew. | Control the pests (aphids, scale, whiteflies) causing the honeydew. The mold can be gently washed off with soapy water. |
| Powdery Mildew | White, powdery patches on leaves and stems. | Improve air circulation. Apply horticultural oil or a potassium bicarbonate solution. Use a fungicide containing myclobutanil if severe. |
| Iron Chlorosis | Yellow leaves with green veins, caused by high soil pH. | Apply chelated iron to the soil and use an acidifying fertilizer. |
Making more Gardenia
Softwood Cuttings
- Take 4-6 inch cuttings from new growth in late spring.
- Remove lower leaves and dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
- Plant in a mix of perlite and peat moss.
- Cover with a plastic bag to maintain humidity.
- Roots should form in 6-8 weeks.
Stem Cuttings
- Take 4-5 inch cuttings from new growth in spring.
- Remove all but the top two leaves.
- Dip in rooting hormone and place in a moist potting mix.
- Cover to maintain high humidity; roots form in 4-6 weeks.
Gardenia questions
How many types of Gardenia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 13 distinct Gardenia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 108 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Gardenia grow in?
Across its varieties, Gardenia covers USDA Zones 7–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Gardenia bloom?
Most Gardenia varieties bloom in late spring, early summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Gardenia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Gardenia shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Gardenia in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
