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Gardenia Vs Jasmine – 4 Similarities and 7 Differences

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Gardenias and Jasmines are probably the most well-known varieties among many different types of flowers that people use to beautify their gardens and add charm to their yards.

They are both fragrant flowers that have been used in the beauty and fragrance industries since ancient times. Gardenias and Jasmines are two flowering plants from different families but are frequently mistaken for one another.

Gardenias are from a genus in Rubiaceae, while Jasmines belong to a genus in Oleaceae. Gardenias grow mostly as perennial shrubs or small trees in tropical climates, whereas most jasmines grow as vines or epiphytes and can be grown indoors year-round.

If you’re starting your own garden and need to choose between Gardenia Vs Jasmine, it can be difficult to determine which flower will work best for your situation.

But, don’t worry as you’ve come to the right place. Even though it is difficult to tell them apart at a glance, there is an in-depth difference between the two.

They have their own characteristics, which make them unique and perfect for different uses in the home or garden. Also, they are quite different from one another in terms of both appearance and scent profile. You can easily decide which flower works best for your garden if you stay till the end.

So, let’s get started.

Similarities in Gardenia Vs Jasmine

Both Gardenia and Jasmine are lovable and magnificent plants to have in the backyard. Both their extracts are mostly used in flowery-smelling perfumes.

They are also both allergy-inducing and should not be kept close to intolerant people to avoid unnecessary emergencies. Gardenias and Jasmines both possess similar white flowers and an intense aroma.

They are also both versatile plants, full of a fragrance that can be used in various ways. There are other similarities that make Gardenia Vs Jasmine more relevant as a topic. Some of them are listed below.

  1. They both possess fragrant flowers that can be used in decorations. 
  2. They both have a great sweet smell that can be used in perfumes as well as aromatherapy.
  3. They both grow edible fruits that can be eaten raw or cooked. 
  4. Petals of both plants are often dried and can be used in tea.

Differences in Gardenia Vs Jasmine

Jasmines and Gardenias are thought to be the same. But there are significant differences between these flowers in how they grow and produce fragrances.

Jasmine is a vine known for its climbing habits, while Gardenia is more subdued. Gardenia is more of a shrub and also is rigid. However, they both have a sweet scent. While talking about Gardenia vs Jasmine, there are differences to know. Some of them are discussed below.  

1)    Plant Type

Gardenias and Jasmines belong to two different types of plants. Gardenias are flowering shrubs from the coffee or madder family, while Jasmines are flowering vines from the olive family that also double as ornamental shrubs.

Gardenias grow natively in America, Africa, Australia and Asia, whereas Jasmines are native to South and Southeast Asia. Gardenias grow in thick foliage and have dark green, glossy leaves that provide a beautiful contrast to the ivory flowers.

On the other hand, Jasmines grow shorter leaves than the Gardenias and are light green to green in colour.  

2)    Flower

Both Gardenias and Jasmines produce colourful flowers with a distinct, sweet scent. Gardenias have more white or cream-coloured petals, while Jasmines have dark pink or red petals. Gardenias grow only three to four feet in height, but they usually have more flowers per stem.

Jasmines grow a flower with five petals, while Gardenias have a flower with a central column and three petals. The Jasmine flower has a stamen that’s longer and thinner than most other flowers.

This gives the plant its characteristic fragrance. The scent of Gardenias is not easily distinguishable but has a sweet smell.

Gardenia flowers are white and have an oval shape with pointed tips. They grow on a bush and can get up to 6 inches wide. They form a flat pinwheel pattern.

Gardenias are both single and double-flowered, while Jasmines are only single-flowered. Gardenias also have thicker petals than Jasmine flowers.

Unlike Gardenias, Jasmine flowers are thin and are usually shaped like a star. Jasmine’s flowers are tube like and are white, although some varieties grow pale-yellow and have yellow flowers.

3)    Plant Size

The size of both Gardenias and Jasmines is an important aspect of discussion while talking about Gardenia Vs Jasmine. Both plants grow at approximately 3-4 feet in height and 6-8 feet in width.

However, Gardenias typically grow slightly taller than Jasmines. And because of its large size, it requires more sunlight and water than its counterpart.

Gardenia has smaller flowers and needs more sunlight, while a Jasmine has larger flowers but needs less sun. Gardenias also require well-drained soil, while jasmines prefer sandy soil.

When planting your Gardenia or Jasmine, make sure you have enough space to accommodate its growth. A good practice is to plant each shrub about 10 feet apart.

This way, they won’t shade each other out. If there’s no room for two separate plants, consider planting them next to each other with a fence between them so they don’t compete for resources. You can also prune one of them to get adequate sunlight and nutrients.

4)    Leaves

Gardenias come in white, yellow and pink, while Jasmines are white, yellow or purple. Gardenias have slightly scented petals instead of Jasmines, which have extremely sweet-smelling petals.

Gardenias also have bigger flowers than Jasmines. When it comes to leaves, Gardenias have shiny green leaves with a hint of silver on them, while Jasmines have dark green leaves with a silvery tinge on them.

Gardenias have pointed leaves with a smooth edge, while Jasmines have round leaves with a toothed edge. Gardenia leaves are longer than those of Jasmine. Gardenia leaves grow 5-8 cm long, while the leaves of Jasmine are 2-3 cm long.  

5)    Flowering Season

Both Gardenia and Jasmine require different climate conditions to flourish. Gardenias flower in late winter, and Jasmines flower in springtime.

Gardenias bloom year-round in warm climates but tend to be short-lived. They last around three years before needing replacement. On the other hand, Jasmines need a long winter rest period.

Their blooming season is spring through fall in tropical climates and summer through early fall in cooler areas. These differences between Gardenias and Jasmines make them ideal for different types of gardens.

More than three blossoms will appear on the branch of Jasmine. Also, they remain firmly attached. Gardenias aren’t like this. They only blossom once.

Because of their short flowering period, gardenias are in high demand. Gardenias thrive indoors as houseplants, while hardy Jasmines can grow outside almost anywhere, even in cooler climates, if protected from colder temperatures by other plants or fences.

Both Gardenias and jasmines are low maintenance once grown, requiring little more than occasional watering and fertilizing.

6)    Fragrance

When it comes to fragrance, Gardenias are often considered a more sophisticated scent, while Jasmines are more romantic. Both Gardenia and Jasmine feature sweet, clean fragrances that are great for everyday wear.

But Jasmines win out over Gardenias by a long shot. Gardenias smell like roses but without any sweetness. They have an almost medicinal aroma that can be overpowering if not balanced by other scents.

On the other hand, Jasmines smell like nothing else on earth as their fragrance is so unique that it has been used in perfumes for centuries.

Gardenias make for a perfect summer scent, and Jasmines pair well with every season as only a small amount of perfume will do the job due to its strong nature . If you want an air freshener for your home or office, look no further than a pot of fresh jasmine blossoms!

7)    Fruits

Both Gardenia and Jasmine produce fruit, but they are vastly different. Jasmines grow spherical fruit that’s relatively smaller in size. On the other hand, Gardenias produce globular fruits and orange in colour. Also, the size of fruits varies significantly.

Gardenias only produce seeds through cross-pollination by wind or insects, which Jasmines are also well-known for. They both should be planted far away from other similar plants to avoid accidental cross-pollination.


Conclusion

In conclusion, both Gardenias and Jasmines are beautiful flowers that add a lot of aesthetics to your garden. However, subtle differences help you decide which one to choose in Gardenia Vs Jasmine. One is more fragrant than another, and their flowers also vary in shape.

But we recommend starting with Jasmine, which is something known and loved by many. They’re quite easy to grow and even easier to care for.

Also, Jasmines are extremely fragrant and are also a symbol of love and romance. It has an amazing fragrance that will enhance the vibe of your entire house with its sweet scent.

But if you happen to be allergic, Gardenias would be a great alternative. It can naturally freshen up your living space without using harsh chemicals. So, growing a Gardenia plant indoors is also definitely worth considering.

Whichever you choose, make sure they match your soil type before planting them. It’s not worth taking any risks for plants like these, as good plants are hard to come by nowadays.