Cape jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides)

Also known as: Danh-danh, Cape jessamine

Gardenia jasminoides, commonly known as Cape Jasmine, is esteemed by gardeners and horticulturalists for its striking attributes. This evergreen shrub features lustrous, dark green leaves that offer year-round appeal. Its exquisite, creamy-white flowers are highly fragrant and frequently used in floral arrangements due to their elegance. The plant's overall aesthetic charm and versatility in garden design contribute to its widespread popularity and admiration.

In This Article

Care Tips Water Sunlight Temperature Soil Fertilize Prune Propagation Repotting Toxicity

Plant Comprehensive Care Guide: Beginner's Introduction and Key Details

Perfect for beginners starting their plant care journey

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10 Secrets to Making Cape jasmine Grow Faster (A Must-Read for Beginners)

Advanced tips to accelerate your plant's growth

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Care "Black Tech": 10 Little-Known Highly Effective Maintenance Tips

Expert-level techniques for optimal plant care

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Attributes of Cape jasmine

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Shrub

Plant Height

90 cm to 1.8 m

Spread

60 cm to 2.5 m

Leaf Color

Green

Flower Size

10 cm

Flower Color

White Yellow Cream

Images of Cape jasmine

Quickly Identify Cape jasmine

Mid-sized woody shrub, 4-8 feet (1.2-2.4 meters) in height and width.

Oppositely arranged glossy, dark green leaves with rugose texture.

Pinwheel or spiral buds hinting at ornate flowers.

Fragrant, waxy white to golden yellow flowers, 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) wide.

Oval fruit transitions from green to orange, offering tactile maturity clues.

Scientific Classification of Cape jasmine

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Gentians, dogbanes, madders, and allies

Family

Madder

Genus

Gardenias

Species

Cape jasmine

Planting and Growing of Cape jasmine

Care Difficulty

Hard

Watering Schedule

Every 4 days

Sunlight Requirements

Partial sun

Sunshine Duration

8-12 hours

Ideal Temperature

65-75℉

Soil Type

Potting Mix, Peat Mix

Soil pH

5-6.5

Fertilizer Type

Balanced

Pruning Season

Spring, Summer

Pruning Area

Branches, Leaves

Pruning Frequency

2 times a year

Repotting Season

Spring

Pot Type

Plastic, Ceramic

How to Water Cape jasmine?

Gardenia jasminoides, commonly known as the gardenia, prefers to have its soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. It requires about 500 milliliters of water per watering session. The goal is to water until the soil feels evenly damp without allowing water to pool at the bottom of the pot. A good strategy is to check the top inch of soil; if it's dry, it’s time to water.

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What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Cape jasmine?

Sunlight Requirements: Partial sun, Full sun

Duration of light: 4 to 6 hours

Partial sun or full sun exposure is ideal for Gardenia jasminoides, ensuring robust growth and ample blooms. With enough sunlight, the plant maintains its vibrant green color and fragrant flowers, essential for vibrant health.

How to Ensure Ideal Lighting? ›

Solutions for Optimal Sunlight Exposure ›

Benefits of Ideal Lighting Conditions ›

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What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Cape jasmine?

Ideal Temperature: 65 ~ 75℉

For optimal growth, Gardenia jasminoides prefers temperatures ranging from 65 to 75°F. Consistent warmth within this range supports healthy foliage and flower development. Variability outside this range can lead to stress, impacting both the health and the aesthetics of the plant.

What Soil is Best for Cape jasmine?

Soil type: Loam, Acidic soil, Sandy loam

Soil PH: 5 ~ 6.5

Gardenia jasminoides thrives in nutrient-rich soil that provides essential minerals. This helps the plant develop vibrant, fragrant flowers and lush, green leaves. Ensuring your soil is enriched with organic matter can significantly enhance the plant's overall health and flowering potential. Well-draining soil is essential for Gardenia jasminoides as it prevents water from stagnating around the roots. This aspect of soil management helps avoid root rot and ensures that the plant receives adequate hydration without risking overwatering. While good drainage is important, the soil should also retain enough moisture to keep the plant hydrated between watering sessions. Slightly acidic, organic-rich soil can balance drainage and moisture, supporting healthy root development. More About Soil→

How to Fertilize Cape jasmine?

Fertilizer type: Balanced

Gardenia jasminoides thrives best with balanced fertilization. Use about 1 tablespoon of liquid fertilizer per gallon of water. For slow-release fertilizer, apply approximately 1/4 cup per square foot of soil. More About Fertilizing Techniques→

How to Prune Cape jasmine?

Pruning Time: Spring, Summer

Regularly remove spent flowers by cutting just below the flower bud. This prevents seed formation and encourages the plant to produce more blooms. Ensure you cut at an angle above a set of healthy leaves. Shape your Gardenia by cutting back any straggly or out of place branches. Follow the natural form of the plant, making cuts just above a leaf node to promote new growth. This helps the plant maintain a compact, appealing appearance. Inspect the gardenia for any dead, diseased, or damaged branches. Cut these back to healthy wood to prevent the spread of disease. This improves air circulation and light penetration, invigorating the plant's overall health. More About Pruning Techniques→

How to Propagate Cape jasmine plant?

Propagate Time: Spring, Late spring, Early summer

Choose a healthy parent plant free from diseases and pests. This ensures that the cuttings you take will have the best chance for successful propagation and growth.

Cut 4-6 inch stems from the plant, ensuring each has several leaves. Remove leaves from the lower part to prevent rot when placed in soil or water.

Dip the cut end of each stem in rooting hormone powder or gel. This encourages faster and stronger root development in the cuttings.

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How to Repot Cape jasmine plant?

Repotting frequency: Annually or biannually

Gardenia jasminoides should be repotted when it becomes root-bound or shows signs of declining health, such as yellowing leaves or reduced growth. Ideally, repot in spring or early summer to coincide with the plant's growth phase.

Select a pot that is 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the current one. Ensure it has drainage holes to prevent water accumulation, which can cause root rot. A slightly larger pot encourages healthy root expansion and stability without overwhelming the plant.

Use a high-quality, acidic, and well-draining soil mix. Gardenias thrive in soil with a pH between 5.0 and 6.0. An appropriate soil mix enhances nutrient absorption and minimizes the risk of fungal diseases.

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Toxicity of Cape jasmine

Is Cape jasmine toxic to humans?

Cape jasmine is regarded as non-toxic to humans, even if consumed inadvertently by adults or children. Generally speaking, while some individuals might experience an allergic response from handling this plant or if it is mistakenly ingested, no adverse reactions are anticipated in humans who come into contact with this plant or other varieties of gardenias.

Is Cape jasmine toxic to cat?

Cape jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides) poses a moderate to severe threat to cats' health. Fortunately, its unpleasant taste usually deters felines from consuming significant amounts of the plant. If ingested, symptoms may manifest as excessive vomiting, diarrhea, and skin hives. Although fatalities are rare, it is essential to seek veterinary care if a cat exhibits signs of serious illness.

Is Cape jasmine toxic to dog?

Poisoning from Cape jasmine in dogs can vary from moderate to severe cases, necessitating medical attention. Common symptoms encompass changes in cardiovascular function, tremors, dilation of the pupils, and gastrointestinal distress. While the entire plant poses toxicity to dogs, the highest concentration of toxins is found within the berries.

WARNING

The judgment on toxicity and danger is for reference only. We DO NOT GUARANTEE any accuracy of such judgment. Therefore, you SHALL NOT rely on such judgment. It is IMPORTANT TO SEEK PROFESSIONAL ADVICE in advance when necessary.

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