Select a site with full sun or light shade. Although a gardenia plant prefers full sun, there is some shade during the warmer months of the year, or its leaves may burn and its buds may fall off if they get too much sunlight. In warm climates, gardenias grow best in the morning sun and afternoon shade. Most varieties have white flowers, but some have yellow flowers.
It is a compact shrub that grows two to three feet tall and wide. It's always easier to avoid plant problems than to fix them, and location is the key to success. Gardenias work best when they receive intense morning light and shade due to the hot afternoon sun. Exposure to the sun is necessary for the proper development of flower buds; with too little sun, plants will produce long growth and few flowers.
On the other hand, too much sun can cause flowers to fade quickly. Plant gardenias in a site that receives full sun or partial shade, with protection from the hot afternoon sun. Provide good air circulation; in colder climates, protect it from strong frosts and dry winter winds. Depending on the variety, grow gardenia indoors or outdoors in soil without lime or potting compost, in good light but out of direct sunlight.
The plants grow between 60 and 1.5 m tall depending on the variety and size of the pot. Use rainwater to keep compost evenly moist and feed it regularly. Prune in spring and propagate using cuttings taken in spring or summer. Indoors, they require a uniform temperature and a high level of humidity to thrive.
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