I've bought a Gardenia every year for the last five years, and they always die within a year. I plant them in pots, and I notice that the leaves start to yellow. If I cut back on watering, they wilt, and this cycle of yellowing and wilting continues until most of the leaves fall off, and eventually, the plant dies. I've followed all the advice I've found: I'm using the right pot size, a proper potting mix for flowers, and even add peat moss and fertilizer after a few months. I place them in a spot that gets half a day of direct sunlight, but nothing seems to work. What am I doing wrong?
2 Answers
It sounds like you might be dealing with humidity issues if you're keeping your Gardenia indoors. These plants love humidity, so if you're growing it in a dry environment, that could be a problem. Make sure they're getting enough light too; if it's outside on a balcony, that should be good as long as they're not getting too much direct sun. Try misting the leaves or placing a humidity tray underneath the pot to see if that helps.
I've had a similar experience with different plants. Sometimes it's really just that specific type doesn't suit your conditions. Gardenias can be tricky, and they often bring along pests like spider mites or thrips. You might want to check the leaves for any signs of bugs because that could be causing stress to the plant as well. Good luck!