Gardenias have become very popular in North America due to how nice they look. These are evergreen shrubs that produce fragrant and beautiful flowers that really add to the overall aesthetic appeal of your property.
Many people choose to plant gardenias in their yard because of how great they look. The white blooms of the gardenias will definitely be pleasing to the eye, and they’re going to fit in well in most garden areas.
If you’re considering planting gardenias sometime soon, then you’ll need to plan ahead. You might be wondering exactly how big these evergreen shrubs are so that you can be sure that you’ll have room.
How big do gardenias get exactly? Read on to get all of the important information about gardenia size so that you can have the best experience.
Gardenias Can Get Pretty Big
Gardenias can get pretty big overall, and you’re going to find that they will be between three and five feet tall when fully grown. Interestingly, the gardenias can also grow between three and five feet wide.
If you’re looking for a big and bold addition to your garden area, then planting gardenias will make sense. These shrubs can get pretty tall, and they will even have the width to match.
As long as you live in the right environment, gardenias are going to be great for creating shrub borders. Gardenias thrive in USDA zones 8 to 11, and this means that there are a few spots in the United States where they do fantastically.
If you live in the Southeastern portions of America or on the West Coast, then you’ll be able to grow gardenias brilliantly. There are some variants that have been created that do well in USDA zone 6 and zone 7 that you can look into as well.
Can You Control How Big Gardenias Get?
Yes, you can control how big gardenias get, and it really isn’t that hard to do. If you don’t want your gardenias to get too tall or too wide, then all you will really need to do is take the time to prune them.
Pruning the gardenias will help you to keep the growth in check so that they can stay at an ideal size. If you let the gardenias grow unchecked, then they might get a bit bigger than you would want them to.
You don’t generally have to prune gardenias if you’re only worried about keeping them healthy. Pruning is merely something that you can do to keep the size of the gardenias manageable.
Typically, you’re going to want to prune the gardenias every other year to keep their size in check. If you wait too much longer than every other year, then the gardenias will likely get larger than you want them to be.
Remember that you don’t need to prune gardenias aggressively. You’re just going to be pruning them enough to help the gardenias maintain the right size and shape that you’re looking for.
So long as you remember to do this, it won’t be a problem to keep your gardenias in a specific part of your garden. Many people use gardenias as shrub borders in garden areas, and it’s simple to keep them the right size when you prune them.
Gardenias Can Also Be Grown in Pots
It’s also worth noting that you can grow gardenias in pots and use them as houseplants. Some people want to grow gardenias because of how pretty they are, but they don’t live in areas of the world that have the right weather for them to thrive in shrub form.
If you live in a zone that has very cold winters, then you’re not going to be able to have gardenia shrubs in your garden. You can still enjoy gardenias if you’re willing to pot them and care for them inside during the cold months.
Gardenias can easily be kept inside during the winter months and then kept outside during the warmer months. You’ll basically be caring for them like you would many other types of houseplants, and this can still be quite satisfying.
If you find gardenias to be appealing and interesting, then it’s definitely worth giving them a shot. You might enjoy growing them in pots, and some people even do this when growing them as shrubs just because they like having them inside.
Tips for Growing Gardenias
Keep reading for a few important tips on how to grow gardenias. This will help you to ensure that your gardenias grow to be as beautiful and strong as possible.
Sunlight
Gardenias thrive in full sun, but it can be good for them to have a bit of shade during the hottest parts of the day. If it gets really hot where you’re at during the summer, then a little bit of shade can help them out.
Some gardeners make artificial shade for gardenias during particularly hot days. If you live in the right hardiness zone to grow these plants as shrubs, then you might not need to worry about it.
Humidity Is a Must
Gardenias do best in areas that are quite humid, and that’s why they’re so popular in the Southeastern United States. If you live in a dry area, then you’ll want to care for gardenias indoors where you can control the humidity better.
These evergreen shrubs simply don’t do well with dry conditions. You’ll need to keep an eye on them if humidity levels drop significantly for whatever reason.
Watering
Watering your gardenias is an important part of caring for them. These shrubs need one inch of water each week, and this means that you’ll need to pay attention to whether it rained enough or not.
Keeping mulch that is two to four inches deep around the gardenias can help them to retain moisture. Ideally, you shouldn’t let your gardenias completely dry out before you water them again.
Fertilizer
Fertilizer is something that you can give your gardenias twice per year. It would be good to fertilize your gardenias in the spring and then once more in the middle of the summer months.
Be sure to use a fertilizer that is good for plants that love acid to get the right results. Follow the instructions on the fertilizer that you buy and everything should turn out well.
Some people also regularly place coffee grounds in the soil with their gardenias. This can help to raise the acidity of the soil so that your gardenias can thrive.
Be Careful During the Winter
Protecting your gardenias during the winter is for the best. The gardenias can get damaged if the temperatures dip below 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
One good way to protect the gardenias is to ensure that they have heavy layers of mulch to protect their roots. You could also cover your plants with breathable material when you know that it’s going to be a particularly cold night.
Caring for Gardenias as Houseplants
Finally, you should know that caring for gardenias as houseplants will require you to maintain the right temperatures in your home. Ensure that the temperatures stay between 55 degrees Fahrenheit and 75 degrees Fahrenheit to get good results.
You must also ensure that the gardenias get bright light each day. If you need to raise the humidity levels in your home, then you should consider buying a humidifier or misting the gardenias with water every so often.
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.