Staff Pick: Indian Carnation
If you aren’t keen on the constant care involved in making your native soil right for Gardenias, here’s an alternative, and a good one. The “Indian Carnation” is a sub-tropical evergreen shrub and it does great in our heavy clay soil! It grows best in morning sun and afternoon shade, gets around 5 feet tall and wide. It has white flowers that look a lot like an “August Beauty” 
Gardenia, smells sweet, but not overbearing, but more importantly the “Indian Carnation” will constantly bloom from Spring through Fall, unlike a Gardenia! In my humble opinion, that’s a wonderful alternative!
Matt
Chuck says
Where in Houston can I find carnation of India.
Irene says
I have had an India Carnation before, but the new plant that I bought is healthy, but is loosing leaves. What is the problem?
Monica says
My Indian carnation has 10 flower buds and tall and healthy. It has had those unchanging buds for about 5 weeks. They look healthy but they don’t bloom. I live in south Texas. It’s very hot (105-112°F hottest days of 2020) and humid. It is potted in loose soil. Never too wet. Only watered as needed. On the front porch under some shade. What can I do so the flowers bloom?
Jesse says
Hi Monica – that’s a good question and we’re not exactly sure why the blooms are not opening. You might try checking for insects. Remove one of the buds, put it on white paper and pull it apart. If you see insects crawling around, those are Thrips. If Thrips are present, you could try using a systemic insecticide like Bayer 3 in 1 to get them under control.