Why won’t my Gardenia bloom?

Gardenias occasionally fail to bloom if they don’t receive enough sunlight to trigger bloom and bud development. During hot, dry summers, if not watered deeply at least once per week, gardenias may experience bud drop. In cooler areas, flower buds can be killed by freezing temperatures. (Lower than 15 degrees.) Pruning aggressively late in the summer can prevent the plant from blooming. Finally, damage from insect pests such as aphids or thrips can cause the buds to drop.