Propagating Gardenia

Yesterday’s Steepshot of my gardenia has inspired me to make a short tutorial on propagating the plant. It is so simple anyone can easily do it. There are 4 simple steps and if you follow my instructions you shouldn’t go wrong. All you’ll need are:

1. A cutting
2. Soil
3. A pot
4. Water

Step #1
Cut a stem about 6” from the tip. Cut just below a node. That’s where the leaves grow ftom. Roots grow best at this area.

Step #2
Remove lower leaves leaving a few at the tip. This is to prevent energy going to the leaves and channelling to root growth instead.

Step #3
Stick the stem into the soil of a prepared pot. Gently press the soil firmly around the stem.

Step #4
Water gently. I don’t think you need a photo for guidance here 😁

Keep in sunny but shaded area. Water sparingly but kerp the soul moist. It should take about a month to take root.

Professional gardeners always recommend using several different mediums for the soil. That’s too complicating for me. I remember my grandpa and my dad using whatever was available and they were extremely successful. However I do believe good soil is important together with fertilising. I’m lucky enough to have compost (nutritious soil made from kitchen and garden scraps) which I mix with regular soil. Well, that’s the way I do it 😊

There is one other method that I’ve used on other plants but not with gardenia. Water. All you need to do it follow step #1 and step #2 and put the cuttings in a glass container. Refill or change the water when necessary. When you see that the root growth is strong enough transplant them into pots. I’m giving it a try 👇🏻

My gardenia plant which is not flowering at the moment👇🏻 I used the soil method successfully.

Both the soil and water method can be used on most hardy plants like the hibiscus, mulberry and curry leaves. Why don’t you give it a try 😊✌🏻