Alphabetical Plant Listing

Gardenia Leaves Turning Yellow

Growing Gardenias, Caring for Gardenias, Gardenia Diseases


Beloved for their intoxicating fragrance and attractive, waxy, creamy-white flowers contrasting beautifully with their shiny, leathery, dark green leaves, Gardenias are irresistible evergreen shrubs or trees. Native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, southern Asia, Australasia and Oceania, Gardenias may be fussy and quite temperamental in their cultural needs.

If your Gardenia's leaves turn yellow and drop, aside from the normal aging process of its leaves, this may be caused by any of these reasons:

  • Over-watering or under-watering: Gardenias need at least 1 inch of rain (or equivalent watering) each week. Keep the soil consistently damp but not soggy. Don't let the soil dry out and don't over-water your Gardenias
  • Poor soil drainage: Make sure your Gardenia soil is moist and well-drained.
  • Insufficient light: Although a Gardenia plant prefers full sun, some shade is appreciated during the warmer months of the year or its leaves may scorch and its buds may fall off if they get too much sunlight. In hot climates, Gardenias grow best with morning sun and afternoon shade. In cooler areas, they can tolerate full sun, especially if their roots are covered with organic mulch. Gardenias growing in containers need bright light or filtered shade with no direct sun. Gardenias grown indoors should receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight through a sunny window.

Guide Information

Hardiness 6 - 11
Heat Zones 8 - 12
Climate Zones 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Family Gardenia
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rukawajung / 123RF Stock Photo

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Hardiness 6 - 11
Heat Zones 8 - 12
Climate Zones 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Family Gardenia
Compare All Gardenia Guides with Gardenia

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