Gardenia Gardenia jasminoides
Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Rubiaceae family. It grows 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) tall and 1–1.8 m (3.3–5.9 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -5 °C (23 °F). Space plants about 1.2 m (3.9 ft) apart.
Plan Gardenia in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Gardenia at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Rubiaceae |
| Mature height | 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1–1.8 m (3.3–5.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.2 m (3.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Cold hardiness | About -5 °C (23 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 9–14 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇸🇬 Singapore |
Is Gardenia toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: leaves, fruit, flowers
Can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and lethargy in cats and dogs.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Gardenia
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Gardenia
- How far apart should I plant Gardenia?
- About 1.2 m (3.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1–1.8 m (3.3–5.9 ft).
- Does Gardenia need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Gardenia need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Gardenia?
- It tolerates about -5 °C (23 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Gardenia flower?
- From about May for 9–14 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Gardenia poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and lethargy in cats and dogs.
- What grows well with Gardenia?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Gardenia. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Needs acidic soil and humidity.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Sweet woodruff Galium odoratum
- Arabica coffee Coffea arabica
- Jungle geranium (ixora) Ixora coccinea
- Kadam Neolamarckia cadamba
- Taupata (mirror bush) Coprosma repens
- Tiare (Tahitian gardenia) Gardenia taitensis
- Mussaenda (Doña Aurora) Mussaenda philippica
- Genipap (huito, jagua) Genipa americana