Please don't let my 35yr old gardenia die!

by Patty
(Winnipeg Manitoba Canada)

Gardenia in flower

I have a 30+ yr old gardenia plant. Purchased at a nursery over 30yrs ago for mother's Day. I inherited the plant from my mum. She was able to propagate many plants from this original one but I've killed them all.

How can I make baby plants from this one? Once it does that's it!

I'm currently fighting a battle against tiny white moths!

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No Expert
by: Jacki Cammidge, Certified Horticulturist

I could never keep Gardenia alive. They hate me. They're the most finicky plants alive, and if your Mum was the one to keep it going, she had special green hands. Not everyone can grow these plants, even in ideal conditions.

This article might help get you back on track.

The 'white moths' you refer to may be whitefly, which love Gardenia. There are a few ways to battle them, some of which are deadly poison, and others are a little friendlier. I like using sticky traps - whitefly are attracted to yellow ones, and sometimes blue.

The yellow ones are easier to find - like these from Amazon;