Cassie,
You already have your answer.
You had a great answer on your other post.
Put the poor plant back in the pot and let it dry out a bit on it's own.
Most gardenias are killed with love.
They are outside plants, hardier than you think
Like Rhododendrums, and azelas.
Treat it like them.
GOod Luck.

My Gardenia is in the ground almost 10 years old. It is on a drip system and pretty much on its own and ignored. Lately it has more bloom at a time than normal, it was only when other plants on the same watering zone showed signs of distress did I realize it was not getting water. This is an old plant with plenty of roots, but not near as dependent as I thought. Al

No. I put my outdoor gardenia through hell and it does pretty good.