African daisies: care & cultivation
African daisies come in a multitude of colours and are a great way to brighten up any garden or balcony. Learn how to cultivate, propagate and properly care for these cheery flowers.
African daisies (Osteospermum and Dimorphoteca) are among the easiest garden plants to care for. With proper care, they will bloom continuously from spring to late fall. Read on to find out how to care for and overwinter your African daisy plants.
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African daisies: flowering time, origin and characteristics
The many species of the Osteospermum plant genus are also known by the names daisy bush, Cape daisy and blue-eyed daisy. Species of the Dimorphoteca genus are commonly called Cape daisies; these include Cape rain daisies and Cape marigolds. Both genera have a common origin in Africa, with most species coming from South Africa. Like the common marigold, they are members of the Calenduleae tribe — which belongs to the daisy family known as Asteraceae — hence the similarities between the three genera.
At first glance, African daisies and Cape daisies are very similar. Perennial Osteospermum are herbaceous plants or evergreen dwarf shrubs with disc-shaped flowers. They naturally bloom between May and September in yellow, orange, white, pink or purple. Osteospermum leaves are single or pinnate and incised or toothed. Dimorphoteca leaves, on the other hand, are entire to pinnatifid. Some Dimorphoteca species are also known as rain daisies, as they close their flowers just before it rains and open them again when the skies clear. Many gardeners enjoy this aspect of their little garden weathermen. African daisies can reach a height of 20 to 50cm, growing upright or creeping, depending on the species.
Tip: when buying African daisies, keep in mind that some ornamental plant breeders cultivate African daisies with flowers that stay open in the rain.
Are African daisies bee-friendly? While bees and other insects regularly visit these plants, African daisy flowers do not supply much pollen or nectar. Double-flowered species are not bee-friendly.
Our favourite African daisy species and varieties
African daisies come in countless colours to choose from:
- Cape marguerite (Osteospermum ecklonis): also known as Sunday’s river daisy, this subspecies of African daisy is one of the most common. The typically white or purple flowers are up to 8cm across, and bloom from May to November.
- Cape marigold (Dimorphoteca pluvialis): also called the weather prophet, this subspecies of Dimorphoteca usually blooms between July and August with a multitude of white flowers. There are several varieties and hybrids of this type.
- Glandular Cape marigold (Dimorphoteca sinuata): this species grows branched and stocky, and it produces large flowers. The ‘Tetra Goliath’ variety is cherished for its bright orange flowers.
- Osteospermum ecklonis ‘Purple Sun’: also commonly sold as Osteospermum ‘Purple Glow’, this variety reaches about 35cm tall. It grows well in beds and pots and produces showy flowers with orange and purple petals.
- Osteospermum ecklonis ‘Tropic Sun’: forms yellow flowers up to 7cm across with purple centres. This variety also grows up to 35cm tall.
- Dimorphoteca pluvialis ‘Tetra Polar Star’: these African daisy flowers have large white petals and purple capitula. With a maximum growth height of 30cm, it is well-suited to small spaces.
- Dimorphoteca pluvialis ‘White African daisy’: the white petals of these flowers have blue tips and undersides, making for a delightful contrast with their yellow centres. These daisies grow up to 25cm high.
Planting African daisies
African daisies do best in sunny, warm and sheltered locations on dry to slightly moist soil. They need nutrient-rich soil that is also sandy to rocky and well-draining, as they do not tolerate waterlogging. Our Plantura Organic Flower Compost, for instance, is a great choice for African daisies, as it contains plenty of nutrients as well as coconut and wood fibres that retain water well. Our compost also contains expanded and crushed clay, which helps with permeability. It also comes pre-fertilised with organic fertiliser to provide your plants with all the key nutrients, so you will not need to apply extra fertiliser to your African daisies. We recommend mixing more expanded clay or coarse gravel into this compost for an even better African daisy soil mixture. African daisies in pots also appreciate some added expanded clay for even better drainage.
- Perfect for all flowering plants in garden beds & pots
- For beautiful blossoms & healthy plant growth
- Peat-free & organic soil: CO2-saving composition
Growing African daisies from seed
Rather than buying seedlings, you can try growing African daisies from seed by starting them indoors in March. Just sow the seeds in potting soil and put the container in a bright place at room temperature. The first seedlings should start to emerge after about 2 weeks. Plant them out in the garden from mid-May onwards. Alternatively, directly sow African daisy seeds in the garden from around mid-May.
Planting African daisies
The best time for planting African daisies is after the last frost, typically around mid-May. First, dig a planting hole and prepare the soil as described above. Plant your African daisies in fresh soil as deep as their previous container. Keep a planting distance of 30cm between seedlings to keep them from having to compete for light, water and nutrients.
Combining African daisies: for an even more colourful flower bed or balcony, try combining other plants with your African daisies. Most plants with similar requirements are suitable for this, including sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima), sage (Salvia), Mexican creeping zinnia (Sanvitalia procumbens), common zinnia (Zinnia elegans), and lupine (Lupinus).
African daisy care
African daisies are some of the least demanding plants for both gardens and balconies. In the right conditions and with the right care, these flowers will bloom continuously from May to September, some varieties even into November.
Pruning African daisies
While African daisies do not require pruning, it is useful for encouraging more compact growth. To this end, pinching is a useful technique. About 1 to 2 weeks after potting, trim the plant down to three or four leaves. Pruning before overwintering also helps your Osteospermum plant preserve its strength for the following season, as it only needs to support a few leaves through winter.
During the flowering period, deadhead your African daisies’ faded flowers. Deadheading Osteospermum enables the plant to continue forming new flowers.
Watering and fertilising
Once your African daisies are planted out and settled in, only water them when their soil is completely dry. African daisies in garden beds rarely need fertilising.
African daisies in pots
Potted African daisies have slightly different requirements for watering and fertilising. Be sure to check whether the soil is dry every few days to know when it is time to water your plants again. Allow the soil to dry out a little between waterings, as African daisies do not tolerate constant moisture. For optimal growth, fertilise potted African daisies every 2 weeks with a liquid fertiliser. Our Plantura Liquid Flower Food provides plants with all the necessary nutrients and is well-suited to the needs of African daisies. Our fertiliser is also completely safe for pets and garden animals, so you can let your furry friends out to get some fresh air without a worry after you have fed your plants.
- Perfect for all flowers & balcony plants
- Liquid fertiliser for a lush blossom throughout the season
- Quick & easy application - child & pet friendly
Why are my African daisies not blooming?
Sometimes African daisies fail to bloom. This is usually down to poor site conditions. Cold, damp weather, not enough sunlight, or waterlogged soil will push African daisies to their limits. Such conditions do not cater to the plant’s needs for abundant flowering, so finding an appropriate location is enormously important. Unfortunately, if the weather is not cooperating, you will just have to wait. The colourful flowers will eventually appear on their own.
Although they require more care, potted African daisies can be moved to a sheltered or brighter spot and have their drainage checked. This makes ensuring that they bloom simpler than with African daisies growing directly in a garden bed.
Tip: In June, the African daisy naturally takes a break from flowering and will not form any new flowers.
African daisies are largely spared by slugs and generally left alone by other pests. However, in overly moist and shaded sites, grey mould and powdery mildew can be a problem.
Troubleshooting drooping African daisies
If your African daisies start to droop, the following factors could be the cause:
- Dimorphoteca African daisies close their flowers in anticipation of rain, but this is no cause for concern. After the rain passes and the sun is shining again, the flowers will open back up.
- Too much wind jeopardises the heavy flower heads. If this is the case, move your African daisies to a more sheltered location.
- Improper watering can also cause the flowers to droop. Use your finger to check the soil and know when it is time to water your plants. African daisies do not tolerate soil that is too wet or dry.
- Grey mould (Botrytis cinerea) causes African daisy flowers to droop. To prevent this fungal infection, avoid getting water on the plant’s foliage, and ensure the plants are somewhere that is well-ventilated and not too shaded.
Are African daisies hardy?
African daisies of the genus Osteospermum can tolerate temperatures slightly below freezing for a short time. That said, they are not considered hardy in the UK. Although it is possible to overwinter them, African daisies are often grown as annuals. However, if you do want to overwinter your daisies, proceed as follows:
- Dig up daisies planted in the garden before the first frost
- Gently remove the soil from the roots and transplant the plants into pots with fresh soil
- Moisten the soil a bit, and prune back the plants’ crown
- Overwinter African daisies in a bright cool place, such as a greenhouse with temperatures from 5 – 15 °C
- Do not allow the soil to dry out during overwintering
- Do not fertilise during overwintering
- After the last frost in spring, transplant your African daisies back outside
Propagating African daisies
You can propagate African daisies yourself using either cuttings or seeds.
The best time to take cuttings is in February or March. To do this, cut 6 to 8cm long shoots from an overwintering daisy, remove the leaves and put them in a pot filled with potting soil. We recommend our Plantura Organic Herb & Seedling Compost, as its reduced nutrient content stimulates healthy root growth while still providing the cutting with all the necessary nutrients. For better drainage, mix some sand into the soil and create ideal conditions for your African daisies. Once planted, place the cuttings in a spot with temperatures of 21 to 23 °C. After the last frost in spring, you can plant out both your African daisy cuttings and ones you started inside. Pinching the seedlings also promotes fuller growth.
Are African daisies poisonous?
African daisies are not poisonous, making them great for a family garden. They are also perfectly safe for dogs and cats, so there is no need to worry about your furry friends if you find them nibbling on your African daisies.
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