Transplanting Gardenia Plants - Planting Gardenia Somewhere New

Though gardenia plants are very beautiful, they are notoriously tricky to take care of. Growing gardenias is hard enough, so it's no wonder that many gardeners shudder at the thought of transplanting gardenia plants.

Care of a Gardenia Bush Prior to Transplanting

Proper care of a gardenia bush prior to transplanting is crucial to the success of transplanting. Make sure that your gardenia is in the best shape possible, free of fungus and pests. If your gardenia is ailing from any problems, do not attempt to transplant it until you have addressed its current issues.

Best Time for Transplanting Gardenia Bushes

The best time to transplant gardenia plants is in the fall, after the plant has finished blooming. Gardenia plants transplant best when the weather is cool and the plant is slowing down. About a week before transplanting gardenia bushes, prune the branches back by one-quarter or one-third. This will reduce the overall size of the growing gardenias and allow them to focus more on their root system.

Best Location for Gardenias

Gardenia plants need rich soil with light shade. They also need soils that have a pH balance between 5.0 and 6.0. Choose a location that has organic, rich soil or amend the soil prior to transplanting gardenia bushes.

Transplanting Gardenia

Once you are ready to transplant your gardenia, prepare the hole where the gardenia will be moved. The less time growing gardenias spend out of the soil, the better the chances that they will survive. When digging up your gardenia plants, dig as big a rootball as possible around the plant. The more soil and roots around the gardenia that go with the gardenia to the new location, the better chance your plant has to survive. Once you get the gardenia to its new location, backfill to fill any gaps and tamp the rootball down firmly to ensure good contact with the soil around the hole. Water thoroughly, then water every other day for one week following. Transplanting gardenia plants can be easy if it is done carefully.