How to Care for a Golden Gardenia

Plant your golden gardenia in an area that receives partial to full sun, where the soil has good drainage. If your winters are cold, grow it in a 12-inch or larger pot with a drainage hole. If you plant it in the ground, amend the soil with one part organic compost to every four parts of soil. If you grow it in a container, use a good-quality potting soil that drains quickly.

Water your golden gardenia when the soil begins to dry out. To check soil moisture, poke your finger into the soil 1 to 2 inches deep: if it comes out slightly moist, allow the soil to dry a bit longer before you water again. Do not allow your plant to sit in waterlogged soil.

Place a potted golden gardenia plant on a saucer filled with pebbles: keep water in the saucer to increase humidity around the plant.

Fertilize the plant once each month April through October. Use a plant food designed for acid-loving plants, such as azaleas and rhododendrons. Choose a balanced fertilizer in granular form that contains iron.

Treat most insect pests, such as aphids, spider mites, thrips and mealybugs, with insecticidal soap spray. If scale insects attack, add 1 tbsp. canola oil to each quart of insecticidal soap. The oil smothers hard-bodied insects.

Move your golden gardenia indoors before fall temperatures drop into the low 30s.