Soil for a Gardenia

Soil for a Gardenia

1. 01

   Best soil mix

   Use peat-free ericaceous mix made for acid-loving plants, not ordinary alkaline garden soil.

   Keep the root zone damp but well drained, never waterlogged. Choose a container and medium that can hold water without excluding air from the roots.

2. 02

   Match the mix to the pot and setting

   This advice is for Gardenia jasminoides grown as a warm houseplant or under glass in a container. It does not apply to other Gardenia species or outdoor garden beds.

3. 03

   Soil pH

   Gardenia jasminoides likes acid conditions and copes with neutral ones. Use ericaceous mix and do not add lime by guesswork.

4. 04

   When soil alone is not the problem

   Aim for an acidic, damp and well-drained mix. Switching to any potting mix sold as acidic will not fix leaf or root problems on its own.