How Big Does Gardenia Plant Get?

If properly taken care of and grown, a healthy mature Gardenia can attain heights between 8-12 feet. Its size varies depending on the cultivar of the common gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides), which is an evergreen shrub with fragrant flowers. The height of some gardenia varieties can reach the height of a person, while others are short enough to be used as ground cover or to be grown in containers. Gardenias are highly prized for their fragrant, creamy white blooms, which make them a popular choice for bouquets.

Plants grow 3 to 8 feet tall in Asia. Double flowers and a height of 4 to 6 feet are common in larger gardenia types such as ‘Mystery.’ The hardiest gardenia cultivar available is ‘Chuck Hayes,’ which stands around 4 feet tall. Gardenias may be grown in pots inside as well. One of these is the 2-foot creeping gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides ‘Radicans Variegata’) With an average height of 8 to 10 inches, the ‘Fragrant Pathways’ variety is ideal for ground cover applications.

Gardenia Growing Rate

Gardenias may grow at a pace ranging from sluggish to rapid, depending on the variety. However the majority are considered moderate. For example, the gardenia cultivars ‘Mystery’ and ‘Coral Gables’ grow at a rapid pace, whilst the ‘Veitchii’ and ‘Radicans’ varieties grow at a more leisurely pace. Slow, moderate, and quick are phrases that are often used in the nursery business, but what exactly do they mean? Those that develop slowly add 12 inches or less each year, those who grow moderately add 1 to 2 feet each year, and those who grow quickly might average more than 2 feet each year, according to Kauai Seascapes Nursery.

Gardenias take around two to three years to blossom from seed when cultivated from seed in a greenhouse. Growing shrubs from air-layers or cuttings will result in more flowers in a shorter period of time. Gardenia blooms may grow to be anywhere from 2 to 5 inches wide, while the leaves can grow to be between 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 inches broad when completely matured.

Is It Possible to Control the Size of Gardenias?

Yes, you can regulate how large gardenias grow, and it’s not difficult. To keep your gardenias from growing too tall or too broad, all you need to do is prune them. Pruning their dormant period and when the leaves drop in autumn, you can cut them back to about 30-40% of the size they were at first. This may not sound like much but your gardenia will be happy with a smaller bush—especially if it is forced into compactness by pruning after flowering. Many reblooming types reach heights between 6ft – 8 ft tall. In order to maintain your gardenias’ ideal size, regular pruning is recommended. As the gardenias mature, they may get a little larger than you would want.

Tips for Gardenia Optimal Growth

Gardenias are classified as “moderate” growers, which means that they may grow between 1 and 2 feet each year, depending on the cultivar and the growth circumstances, although this is not always the case. Sunlight, water, climate, fertilizer, soil, and a variety of other elements may all have an impact on the size and growth rate of a gardenia.

Temperature and Growing Location

Choosing the right place to cultivate them is essential. Gardenia prefer temperatures of 15°C-24°C at night and 21°-24°C during the day. There are other gardenia cultivars can withstand temperatures as low as -12°C, although the majority of gardenias prefer warmer climates. These bushes do well in the broad sun along the shore, but they need some shelter in the hotter interior. Hedges and screens may be made from taller gardenias, while groundcovers can be made from shorter gardenias. Consider planting the bushes near patios or walks because of their wonderful aroma. Avoid planting gardenias near the base of trees to avoid nutrient competition.

Gardenia Water Requirements

Gardenias, no matter what kind they are, like to grow in moist, but not wet, soil. Lack of water can cause the flower buds to fall off early and the roots to dry out while overwatering can cause the leaves to turn yellow and the roots to be suffocated. A week, water the plants about an inch. It’s best to water the gardenias if the soil feels dry. A 2-inch layer of mulch can help keep the soil around the plant moist.

Soil and Fertilizer

It is important to conduct a soil test to determine the pH of the soil in order to achieve optimal growth. Gardenias prefer  5.0 – 6.0 soil ph that drains well and is acidic in nature. Anything in excess of this may result in nutrient deficiencies, which can impair the growth of the shrub and cause the leaves to yellow and turn yellow. Choosing to grow gardenias in pots is an excellent option if you do not want to modify your soil. Depending on the species, a 2- to 5-gallon container should be utilized.

A special fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants, as well as iron compounds, are recommended by the Missouri Botanical Garden for best results. Gardenias thrive in compost-rich soils. Plant gardenias in early spring, and re-fertilize in late June for ever-blooming varieties. Avoid fertilizing new growth in the fall to avoid frost damage.

Top Largest Gardenia Varieties

Aimee Gardenia

This is one of the largest gardenias, with double flowers that are 4-5 inches in diameter and grows up to 10-12 ft. high in moderate cold climates while 5-6 ft. are more common and 4-7 ft. spread. It is also known as ‘Aimee Yoshida’ and is sold under the trademarked name ‘First Love,’ among other variations. Its other name is Aimee Yoshioka Gardenia. A fast-growing evergreen shrub with enormous, glossy, dark green leaf. White blooms contrast well with the plant’s huge, dark green leaves.

White Gardenia / Thunberg’s Gardenia

It reaches 5-16 ft. tall and its spread is 4-10 ft spread. With lengthy tubes exclusively accessible to nocturnal hawkmoth proboscis, the profuse and exceedingly fragrant blooms are roughly 2.5-3 ft. in diameter. It has a tubular corolla with eight big petal-like lobes that are creamy white. Foliage is strikingly veined and elliptic to oval, with glossy green leaves and spectacular, solitary mid- to late-winter blooms that are very fragrant. In the absence of huge antelope, the fruits are hard, woody, and fibrous within. This encrusted egg-shaped fruit is 2-3 inches by x 1.5 inches in size.

Cape Jasmine ‘Miami Supreme’

It is a big, densely-foliated shrub that reaches to 6-8 ft. high and 4-6 ft. wide, that bears huge fragrant double blooms in the spring and summer. The flower has a 4-6 inch diameter. The shiny green leaves of this endemic to China, Taiwan, and Japan are lovely. From late spring through early summer, it blooms huge waxy ivory blooms with a strong scent. Late summer or autumn blossoming is infrequent.

Mystery Cape Jasmine

It usually grows up to 6-8 ft .tall and 3 ft. width. The blooms reach to 4-5 inches across. Due to its upright growth pattern, this cultivar is an excellent option for container gardening. The blooms are big and double. This gardenia is an attractive evergreen specimen that may be utilized to screen a small urban area. The recommended spacing is 8 ft apart.

Belmont Gardenia

The Gardenia ‘Belmont’ is a huge evergreen shrub with extraordinarily huge, lustrous, deep green leaves and delightfully perfumed, roselike, semi-double, ivory-white blooms that measure 4 inches across. Blooms profusely from late spring until early summer, with intermittent blooming into the autumn. It has a dense growth habit and may reach a height of 5-8 ft and a width of 3-6 ft.

Other Popular Varieties

Groundcover/ Creeping Varieties