Cape jasmine
Gardenia jasminoides · Rubiaceae
📷 Alpsdake · CC BY-SA 3.0
⚠️ L’ingestion peut provoquer des vomissements ou une diarrhée généralement légers chez chiens et chats ; une irritation cutanée est aussi possible.
The gardener's calendar
Cape jasmine is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, glossy dark green
- Flowering
- May to September, highly fragrant white flowers
- Mature size
- Approximately 200 cm tall
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- Low hardiness (frost-sensitive below -5°C)
- Origin
- Tropical Asia (China, Japan)
- Soil type
- Acidic, well-drained, rich in organic matter
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Growing in a pot is often more reliable than in the ground: perfectly drained soil, protected winter. Flowers for an impressively long time in temperate climates.
The common mistake
Planting it in wet soil then watering regularly: poor drainage causes rapid collar rot.
The pro's trick
In cold regions, place it against a south-facing wall and mulch generously: this gains you the 3-4°C needed for survival.
Care
Watering
Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. Water generously during flowering and reduce in winter. Preferably use non-calcareous water, as gardenias prefer an acidic environment.
Light Exposure
Place your gardenia in partial sun, with at least 4 to 6 hours of indirect light daily. Avoid intense afternoon sun which could damage the delicate flowers.
Pruning and Shaping
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact, airy form. Remove dead or weak branches and deadhead spent flowers to encourage new blooms.
Fertilizer
Apply a specific fertilizer for acid-loving plants once a month during the growing season (April to September). Regular applications of chelated iron will help prevent leaf yellowing.
Soil Preparation
Use an acidic substrate rich in peat or composted bark. The soil should offer excellent water retention while being well-drained to prevent root suffocation.
Common Problems
Watch for scale insects and spider mites indoors. Excess water or stagnant humidity promotes rot. Ventilate regularly and maintain moderate humidity to prevent fungal diseases.
Did you know?
The gardenia is particularly appreciated in Asia, especially in China where it has symbolized purity and elegance for over a thousand years. In the West, its intensely fragrant flowers conquered ornamental gardens and interiors from the 18th century onward, notably thanks to European botanists fascinated by its exotic charm.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.