Question
My mother just passed away and I received a gardenia tree from my employer.  I have been told it is an outside plant.  Well, I planted it tonight before it got dark and now I'm reading that it is an inside plant that needs to be in a south window inside the home.  Should I dig it back up, repot it and bring it back inside?  This plant means a great deal to me and I want to care for it correctly so it will thrive and grow.  

Answer
Gardenias are indeed outdoor plants in warm climates.  If you live in Florida or somewhere equally warm, you will have absolutely no problem at all growing this outdoors all year round.  Most of the country, however, must winter this plant indoors, protected from bitter cold and snow.  Where do you live?

For the summer, it is perfectly acceptable -- even healthy -- to grow this outdoors.  Full sun and lots of water will ensure its happiness.  For now, transplant it to a pot a full size larger than the one it's in, preferably a clay pot that will breathe, and keep it watered and fertilized.

Even without the sentiments that came with this gift, your Gardenia would be a treasure.  Understand, though, that this is also a learning experience.  Gardenias are not good plants for beginners; they can be something of a challenge, mainly because of the complications that follow when you try to keep them through the winter -- they need a substantial amount of humidity, tons of light, and lots of moisture without too much!  In the end, no matter what happens to the plant you received in your mother's memory, don't forget that the most important memories surrounding this loss are going to be your own.  No one will ever take those away.  No one ever can.

Keep me posted and let me know if you have any questions.  Thanks for writing.