The plant's glossy, dark-green foliage is another plus. Keep a gardenia out of drafts. A sunny spot that is 60 or 65 degrees at night but a little warmer during the day is perfect. Gardenia also requires an acid soil. One easy method for maintaining the soil's acidity, recommended by the renown Logee's Greenhouse in Danielson, Conn., is to occasionally add a used teabag to the watering pot.
Gardenia is a little tricky to grow, often dropping flower buds if the soil dries out.
Jasmine, the other houseplant famous for its sweet scent, is less finicky. Depending on which kind you choose, jasmine grows most often as a vine but sometimes as a bushy plant. Train it on a small trellis or grow it in a hanging basket. A winter jasmine needs sunny days and cool night temperatures to encourage more flower buds. If you're having trouble printing this story, click here for a text-only version.