In folklore, red gardenias are the flowers of choice when it comes to seduction and love magic. In Sexual Bewitchery (Dolnick et al., 1998), the authors state that “gardenias are love flowers and are often used for spells of the heart. Since it is a more unusual choice, it is unlikely he’ll know their meaning, yet he’ll feel their potency” (p. 14).
Throughout my years of studying U.S. folklore and folk magic, I’ve encountered women who knowingly plant red gardenias in their gardens to draw love to their homes and a lady who cast a love spell using a potted red gardenia and a copper (the metal symbolizing love) penny.
These forms of love magic were not directed at any particular individual, but were seen as a request sent out to the powers that be to bring a lover to them. Since gardenias are so inconspicuous, no one thinks twice about the flowers growing in gardens and on porches.
Aside from merely attracting love, Lady Rhea (2004) correctly points out that the gardenia flower can also be used for “spellbinding to captivate one you desire” (p. 55).
This form of love magic concentrates on capturing the love of one particular person. While generally shunned by the Wiccan community, this form of manipulative love magic has been practiced by people of all religions since the beginning of humankind.
People have been known to perform love spells with dried gardenia petals tied into a pouch with the hair or nail clippings of the one they desire. One lady I spoke to admitted to placing the picture of the man she wanted in the bottom of a bowl and covering his photo with a love potpourri made from gardenia. No one would think to find her love spell sitting in a bowl of potpourri.
Sources:
Dolnick, B., Condon, J., & Limoges, D. (1998). Sexual bewitchery and other ancient feminine wiles. New York: Avon Books.
Rhea, Lady & LeFey, E. (2004). The enchanted candle: Crafting and casting magickal light. New York: Citadel Press.
