I got a new Gardenia Fortuniana. It is wilting. I put it in full sun outside on my porch. One stem withered. I cut it off.

So, I put it inside in a partial sun situation. A couple leaves withered.

Then, I moved it to an indirect sun situation and, next, the lone bud it came with, which thrilled me so, turned black and fell off a week later.

It looked a little sad, so I thought to give it fertilizer. So, I gave it Expert fertilizer (Walmart brand). I used this fertilizer on all my plants and they loved it.

Four days later, the leaves drooped. Some turned brown.

I didn't know what to do, so I put it outside again in a 75% sun situation under a tempered glass table.

It seemed okay for a week or so, then it dropped again.

So I moved it inside and it drooped a lot more.

Then I moved it outside on the table for 100% sun, because I read Gardenia like sun.

After doing that, most of the leaves turned brown and a stem looks dead now.

There is one stem left.

What do you think is happening?

It was in a 4 inch pot when I got it. I moved it to this grand pot ready for it's supreme arrival, which is 8 inches.

I used Miracle Grow potting soil which I used for a bougainvillea, spider plants, and a jasmine - which are thriving.

Anna - gardenias are funny they can be a little finicky at times. I can't say, even with all of the gardenias that I've had, that I am experienced with that particular cultivar… But I know that mine range from doing best in full sun to others to do better in part shade. Make sure that that soil is not staying wet I don't know if you amend your potting soil or not but using some thing like chicken grit and/or coir is good. I also don't do well with potted gardenias all of mine are in the ground. That being said I can't speak to measurements but Gardenias benefit from Epson salt, fish emulsion, and even a little Holly Tone - you just want to be careful with it being in a pot when using those items. i've also seen gardenias drop all of their leaves for whatever the reason and when given good care of bounce back. Unless there is no green bark when scratched at the base I will continue to try to revive them.

Hi there, it died. I have no idea why.

I got a new one - a Tahitian Gardenia that I put in full sun (6 hours) on my porch. Online instructions stated full sun is okay for Tahitian Gardenia. One of the leaves has browned a few days ago, but it has stopped. I'm hoping this Tahitian Gardenia will be everything I want and more.

Thanks for your suggestions. I'll look into those fertilizers.

Here's two pics of my Gardenias:

The original asked-about plant sounds like it has been through a lot. I think I would stop doing anything but adding water as needed. The basics are that it needs at least an hour of direct sun and consistently moist soil. Is there a drain hole in that pot?

Anna, you are treating the Gardenia like it is a frog. It is not happy here, you move it. It is not happy there, you move it. It isn't happy there so , you move it again. That is not a good idea. It can't get use to any one spot.

They do not like intense heat.
They like good morning sun, then shaded for the rest of the day.
They like to grow moist in a well draining soil. They enjoy soil on the acidic side, around 5.8 to 6.4.
And stop fertilizing it so much. Fertilizer is meant to support good growth. It does not create it. You really can't cure bad culture with fertilizer. Fertilizer is not medicine.
Indoors they might be happier being generally cooler but indoor window glass cuts down on light intensity. You would need a sunny spot inside with 6-8 hours of sun. Put it right in the window, not off to the side or across the room.
If growing outdoors, nice sun in the morning, shady in the afternoon. Never let it go dry.

purpleinopp said: The original asked-about plant sounds like it has been through a lot. I think I would stop doing anything but adding water as needed. The basics are that it needs at least an hour of direct sun and consistently moist soil. Is there a drain hole in that pot?

Thanks Tiffany,

There was a drain hole. Unfortunately, the first Gardenia Fortuniana died. Thanks for your help.

I bought a Terra Cotta pot for the newer Tahitian Gardenia. I'm a little worried about the leaf turning brown/grey.

Thanks for your reply!

BigBill said: Anna, you are treating the Gardenia like it is a frog. It is not happy here, you move it. It is not happy there, you move it. It isn't happy there so , you move it again. That is not a good idea. It can't get use to any one spot.

They do not like intense heat.
They like good morning sun, then shaded for the rest of the day.
They like to grow moist in a well draining soil. They enjoy soil on the acidic side, around 5.8 to 6.4.
And stop fertilizing it so much. Fertilizer is meant to support good growth. It does not create it. You really can't cure bad culture with fertilizer. Fertilizer is not medicine.
Indoors they might be happier being generally cooler but indoor window glass cuts down on light intensity. You would need a sunny spot inside with 6-8 hours of sun. Put it right in the window, not off to the side or across the room.
If growing outdoors, nice sun in the morning, shady in the afternoon. Never let it go dry.

Thanks BigBill,

I never thought about how glass can cut down the amount of sunlight a plant receives. Thanks for the tips!

Actually, the Gardenia Fortuniana plant died. I got a new one - a Tahitian Gardenia. I'll keep your tips in mind about morning sun and afternoon not so sunny for the newer plant. It seems to like this spot. It has glossy leaves, thought I am worried about one leaf that turned grey / brown. The picture is up above.

Thanks for your help!

Anna

Happy to suggest. I have a giant Gardenia in my front yard and it is in the sun from dawn until after 3 PM. It's 100°. The main flush of blooms has passed but a few more buds are forming.

There's one almost as big in my mom's yard propagated from mine but it does not get as much sun and does not make as many blooms.

purpleinopp said: Happy to suggest. I have a giant Gardenia in my front yard and it is in the sun from dawn until after 3 PM. It's 100°. The main flush of blooms has passed but a few more buds are forming.

There's one almost as big in my mom's yard propagated from mine but it does not get as much sun and does not make as many blooms.

The idea of having a gardenia in my yard sounds amazing. 😍 You must enjoy yours so much.

I think it's too cold here however.

I hoped I could keep it in a pot. I hope it'll be okay. The person who sold it to me said it would be okay, but I am doubting it now.

Hoping for a miracle!

I do enjoy it! When it's blooming, it scents the whole yard.
Yes, it's too cold for permanent grounding where you are, but I hope that gives an idea of the conditions in which it does well. Aim for consistency. : )

Whatsmyplant said: Hi there, it died. I have no idea why.

I got a new one - a Tahitian Gardenia that I put in full sun (6 hours) on my porch. Online instructions stated full sun is okay for Tahitian Gardenia. One of the leaves has browned a few days ago, but it has stopped. I'm hoping this Tahitian Gardenia will be everything I want and more.

When using mail order for purchasing plants - they need time to acclimate to full sun again. Sounds like she's doing ok now for you but if you order any more just give them a lil time to get used to full sun again. Hope that makes sense.

Thanks for your suggestions. I'll look into those fertilizers.

Here's two pics of my Gardenias: