Indoor Gardenia Care

Question

I’ve had a small gardenia indoors since I bought it 4 months ago. I read that I could water it with water which I could add some white vinegar to for acidity. I’ve been doing this but I’ve also seen yellow leaves the day after and also some starting to turn brown at the tips and through the leafy. I want to repot but don’t know what soil mix I should use. Should I just water with water by itself to stop the yellowing? I have it at a north west facing kitchen window. Also where can I purchase a soil testing kit? Thanks!

Answer 1

Gardenia needs bright light plus high humidity to thrive. Do you have a south-facing window you could move it to? For humidity, you can try a pebble tray. The pH should be in the 5.0 to 6.5 range to avoid yellow leaves. You can buy soil test kits at local garden centers or nurseries and home improvement stores. Your local extension office also offers soil testing. Since yours is in a container, when you repot, look for potting soil for acid loving plants or make your own with one-half potting soil and one-half fine pine bark or peat moss. Use fertilizer for acid-loving plants. The vinegar is not going to appreciably acidify the soil pH.

These articles should help:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/gardenia/growing-gardenias-indoors.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/helping-a-gardenia-bush-with-yellow-leaves.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/gardenia/common-gardenia-diseases.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/hpgen/raise-humidity-for-houseplants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/use-vinegar-in-gardens.htm