Gerbera daisy

Sun

Full sun in mild climates; morning sun and afternoon shade where summers are hot.

Water

Keep moderately moist during active growth, letting the surface dry slightly between waterings. Water much less during cool, slow-growing periods.

Soil

Fertile, well-drained soil or potting mix; slightly acidic soil is preferred. Avoid heavy soil that stays wet.

Height

1-2 ft (0.3-0.6 m), including flower stems

Spread

1-1.5 ft (0.3-0.45 m)

Flowers

Late spring to autumn, sometimes longer in frost-free conditions. The species usually has orange-red flowers; garden hybrids also come in yellow, pink, white, cream and other shades.

Foliage

Evergreen. A basal rosette of broad, lobed green leaves, often softly hairy beneath.

Growth

Moderate

Care needed

Medium

• Pollinators
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Moderate

Toughness

Needs looking after

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1 ft (0.3 m)

2. After 1 year

   1.1 ft (0.35 m)

3. After 2 years

   1.3 ft (0.4 m)

4. After 3 years

   1.5 ft (0.45 m)

   full size

About 3 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Growth rate

Moderate

• Plant with the crown at soil level, never buried beneath soil or mulch.
• Water the soil rather than the leaves and crown, preferably in the morning.
• Feed container plants with a balanced liquid fertiliser at the label rate during active growth.
• Keep mulch clear of the crown and leave space between plants for airflow.
• Move pots into a bright, frost-free place before frost; keep them drier over winter.

Pruning. Remove faded flowers by cutting the entire stem close to its base with clean secateurs. Remove yellow or diseased leaves promptly, but do not shear the whole rosette.

Late winter

Check overwintered plants for pests and crown rot; water sparingly while growth is slow.

Spring

Repot crowded plants and divide established clumps once active growth begins.

Late spring

After frost risk has passed, acclimatise indoor plants gradually and plant outdoors with crowns exposed.

Summer

Water during dry spells, feed container plants and remove spent flower stems.

Autumn

Bring containers under cover before frost in cold climates and reduce feeding as growth slows.

Winter

Keep sheltered plants bright and frost-free; protect outdoor crowns from prolonged wet conditions.

• Use in patio containers where the flowers can be seen closely and drainage is easy to control.
• Plant small groups at the front of sunny borders for repeated blocks of colour.
• Combine with blue salvia and white sweet alyssum for contrast without hiding the basal leaves.
• Grow in a cutting bed for long-stemmed flowers, allowing enough room for airflow.

Garden styles it suits: Modern courtyard, Cottage garden, Hot border, Pastel border, Small-space and Sensory garden.

Plant it with: Salvia, Sweet alyssum, Angelonia, Dwarf zinnia and Verbena.

Wildlife: Open, single flowers provide pollen and nectar for bees and other visiting insects; densely double forms offer less accessible food.

• Crown and root rot: improve drainage, keep the crown above surrounding mulch and discard badly rotted plants.
• Powdery mildew: improve airflow, avoid crowding and remove badly affected leaves.
• Aphids and whiteflies: inspect leaf undersides and treat infestations with insecticidal soap according to its label.
• Spider mites: watch for stippled leaves and fine webbing in hot, dry conditions; rinse leaf undersides and use a labelled treatment if needed.

Not known to be toxic to cats, dogs, horses or people. No part is recognised as poisonous, although eating plant material can still cause mild stomach upset.

• African daisy (Osteospermum ecklonis)

  Forms a branching, leafy mound with flowers at the shoot tips; gerbera flowers rise on leafless stems from a basal rosette.

• Gazania (Gazania rigens)

  Usually has narrower leaves, often silvery beneath, and flowers with dark markings near the petal bases that close in dull weather.

• Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum × superbum)

  Usually has white rays around a yellow centre and leafy flowering stems, rather than gerbera's leafless flower stalks.

Gerbera honours German physician and botanist Traugott Gerber, while jamesonii honours Robert Jameson, who collected the plant in southern Africa.

Propagation. Sow fresh seed in warmth, pressing it onto the surface of moist seed compost. Divide established, multi-crowned plants in spring, keeping roots and a healthy growing point on each division. Seed from garden hybrids may not resemble the parent.

Accepted botanical name

Gerbera jamesonii

Native range

Northern Provinces and Swaziland.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0) and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.