How to grow gardenia in winter?

Gardenia has lush branches and leaves, evergreen leaves all year round, and overflowing fragrance. It can be used as a flower hedge, potted plant and bonsai for viewing, and can also be used for flower arrangement. It is loved by many friends. So how to grow gardenia in winter? Let’s take a look with the editor below.

1. Temperature

Gardenia is particularly sensitive to temperature, and the best temperature for wintering is between 6-12℃. Too high a temperature will break the plant's dormancy period, while too low a temperature may cause frost damage. Flower lovers in the south can let gardenias spend the winter on outdoor balconies, but they must take insulation measures, such as wrapping the flower pots with insulation materials or building a simple greenhouse. Flower lovers in the north should move gardenias indoors and ensure that the temperature is above 0 degrees and not exceeding 15 degrees.

2. Lighting

Although winter sunlight is not as strong, gardenias still need at least 3-4 hours of sunlight per day. You can place it in a location where it can receive direct sunlight, such as on a windowsill or balcony, to promote healthy growth of the plant. If kept in a dark environment for a long time, gardenia may have problems such as excessive growth, yellowing leaves and falling leaves. Therefore, make sure it receives enough light every day.

3. Watering

In winter, the growth rate of gardenia will slow down, and it may even enter a dormant state, and its demand for water will decrease accordingly. Therefore, reduce the frequency of watering to avoid waterlogging that may cause root rot. Generally, watering once a month is sufficient, and wait until the soil is dry before watering. When watering, try to use warm water and avoid using cold water to irritate the plants. At the same time, when watering, water slowly along the edge of the flower pot to allow the water to fully penetrate the soil.

4. Fertilization

Winter is the dormant period of gardenia. Applying fertilizer at this time is not only a waste but may also cause a burden to the plant. Therefore, fertilization should be stopped in winter. If you plan to repot or prune the gardenia in the spring of next year, you can prepare the base fertilizer in advance in winter so that you can apply it to the soil when repotting to provide nutrient support for the plant. But be careful not to use excessively to avoid fertilizer damage.

5. Notes

In winter, you can cut off poorly growing branches and shorten the branches and leaves that sprout that year to promote nutrient concentration and improve cold resistance. The branches of gardenia are more fragile and easily damaged in winter, so during the maintenance process, avoid frequent touching or moving of the flower pots to avoid causing unnecessary damage.

The above is an introduction to how to grow gardenias in winter. Gardenias are not cold-resistant and the temperature is lower in winter. When the outdoor temperature is below 5°C, they should be moved indoors in time and the temperature should be kept between 6-12°C.