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Flower profile

Gardenia

Quick facts

Botanical name: Gardenia jasminoides. In SAF's language of flowers, gardenia means joy.

Gardenia at a glance

Meaning
joy
Colors
  • White
  • Cream
Season
Spring and summer.
Special care
Buy almost fully open blooms. Handle by the stem or leaves only - petals bruise and brown where touched. Keep cool and misted; float or use in corsages and short designs.
Size
An evergreen shrub with glossy leaves and waxy, intensely fragrant flowers 2 to 3 inches across that open white or cream and age to yellow
Also called
Cape jasmine

Pet safety

Toxic to dogs, cats and horses; may cause mild vomiting, diarrhea or hives.

About gardenias

An evergreen shrub with glossy leaves and waxy, intensely fragrant flowers 2 to 3 inches across that open white or cream and age to yellow. Sold as a flowering potted plant and as corsage blooms.

How to make gardenias last

  1. Keep them cool until they are in water. Keep your flowers in a cool place until you can get them into a flower food solution.
  2. Fill a clean vase with water and flower food. Use a clean, deep vase and add the flower food from your florist, following the mixing directions on the packet.
  3. Remove leaves below the waterline. Leaves in water promote bacterial growth that can limit water uptake by the flower.
  4. Re-cut the stems. Remove one to two inches with a sharp knife or clippers that will not crush the stems, then place the flowers straight into the vase.
  5. For gardenias. Buy almost fully open blooms. Handle by the stem or leaves only - petals bruise and brown where touched. Keep cool and misted; float or use in corsages and short designs.
  6. Keep them in a cool spot. 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents and ceiling fans.

Care steps from SAF’s flower care tips. More flower care tips →

Gardenias as a potted plant

Potted plant: bright indirect light, rich acidic well-drained soil, steady moisture and humidity; avoid moving or disturbing roots; remove spent blooms.

Questions about gardenias

What does the gardenia mean?

In the traditional language of flowers, the gardenia stands for "joy".

What colors do gardenias come in?

Gardenias come in white and cream.

How do you care for gardenias?

Keep gardenias cool until they are in water, use a clean vase with flower food, remove any leaves below the waterline, re-cut the stems by one to two inches and keep the vase at 65 to 72 degrees, away from direct sunlight and vents. For gardenias: Buy almost fully open blooms. Handle by the stem or leaves only - petals bruise and brown where touched. Keep cool and misted; float or use in corsages and short designs.

Are gardenias safe around pets?

Toxic to dogs, cats and horses; may cause mild vomiting, diarrhea or hives.

Where can I buy gardenias?

From a local SAF member florist. Enter the recipient's ZIP code on this page to find florists near them.

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