It's been awhile since I tried to grow a gardenia and I wouldn't normally choose it for a houseplant because of their difficult and finicky reputation. But I impulsively bought two gardenias for outdoor pots in the spring and just can't bring myself to throw them out. So...in they come for the winter. Wonder how long it will take for me to kill them? (g)

My husband has a houseplant collection at his office that I am considering sending one or both in for him because he has a nice large unobstructed West window with a few plants in it. I could keep one home to give it more personal attention, because my husband is not very experienced with plants, but my West window is partially obstructed by deciduous trees so the light is less.

I wondered if anyone had any tips on how to keep this growing until spring? I don't expect to get it flowering, but I'd like to at least keep it alive to go outside again in the spring. I won't use a humidifier and a pebble tray would be doable at home, but not really at the office. I know they enjoy higher humidity than indoor winter levels and in the past, the long ago past, I successfully kept a gardenia healthy and blooming and misted it for humidity, which I know they don't recommend any more.

So, any ideas, as to potting mix, and care and location to put it, would be really great, thanks!