Hello. I have a blooming gardenia tree that is kept indoors. It is beautiful and I really enjoy looking at it but the scent of the flowers makes me ill. My friend has been cutting off and discarding the buds before they open so I don't have to smell them but we were recently told that will kill the plant. Is there a healthier way to prevent it from blooming?

Would it be possible to move it outside and put into the ground? It does not say what zone you live in. They are beautiful planted outside a window.

Trimming off the blooms will just make the bush more prolific and it will just grow and grow more leaves.

Hope this helps.

Thank you for your reply! I live in a long-term care facility so planting it outside was not an option. It wouldn't stop blooming so I gave it to one of the nurses who took it home. I was so sorry to have to give it away because it was a gift and the only pleasant thing to look at some days, but she brings me pictures of it.

Dear Room304, you can come to this website and look at beautiful flowers to your hearts content every single day.

I love it that you gave the Gardenia to someone that will let it bloom and grow. You have spread some love in the world and that is a gift.

ps There are so many wonderful gardeners on this site and I look forward to seeing their new posts daily. It starts the day out right.

Who told you that removing the buds would kill the plant? Not likely. Animals eat the buds off shrubs all the time. I wouldn't worry over it.

Sallymander said:Who told you that removing the buds would kill the plant?

Eric. Eric Cooper told us.