African daisies (Osteospermum spp.) look a lot like common daisies, with petals radiating around a center disk. They are even members of the Asteraceae family, along with Shasta daisies and zinnias.
But, their vivid coloring is not at all like the classic daisy. African daisies come in a variety of stunning shades including white, cream, pink, yellow, purple, and blue.
These flowers are best planted in the spring after the threat of frost has passed, usually at around 25 degrees Fahrenheit. While African daisies can survive a surprise frost, they cannot tolerate repeated frosts.
African daisies have a fairly quick growth rate, blooming about two months after sprouting from seeds. Reliably hardy in zones 10 to 11, these tender perennials are planted as annuals in other climate zones. On average, African daises live 2 to 3 years as perennials.
African daisies, known botanically as Osteospermum, are absolutely beautiful flowers that can add a pop of color to any outdoor space With their vibrant shades of purple, pink, orange, yellow and white, these daisies are like no other I love having them around to brighten up my patio!
The best part about African daisies is that they can easily be grown in pots, making them perfect for beginner gardeners or those with limited space. If you’re new to gardening and want to try your hand at growing something fun, African daisies are a great option. In this beginner’s guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to successfully grow these stunning flowers in pots.
Choosing the Right Pot for Your African Daisies
The first step when growing African daisies in pots is picking out the right container. Here are some tips:
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Select a pot at least 12 inches wide This gives the daisy’s roots plenty of room to spread out Anything smaller restricts growth.
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Make sure the pot has drainage holes, Good drainage is crucial since African daisies hate soggy soil Make sure excess water can flow out
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Use a sturdy material like ceramic or plastic. This gives the plant stability. Avoid super lightweight pots that could blow over.
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Cache pots work well too. You can plant the daisy in a plastic nursery pot then nestle that into a decorative cache pot without holes.
Creating the Perfect Potting Mix
To grow healthy, vibrant daisies, the potting mix is key. Here is the ideal mix:
- 1 part peat moss – Helps retain moisture
- 1 part perlite – Improves drainage
- 1 part vermiculite – Holds nutrients
This blend creates a light, well-draining mix African daisies love. You can find the ingredients at any garden center.
If you want to save money, you can also use a regular potting soil. Just be sure to mix in extra perlite to improve drainage.
Planting Your African Daisies
Once you’ve got your pot and potting mix ready, it’s time for the fun part – planting! Follow these simple steps:
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Fill the pot about 3/4 full with moistened potting mix.
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Gently remove the daisy from its original nursery pot, carefully loosening the roots.
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Place the daisy in the center of the new pot.
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Fill in around the plant with more mix, firming it gently around the roots.
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Water well until it drains from the bottom.
And voila! Your African daisy is now planted and ready to grow.
Caring for African Daisies: Sun, Water and Food
To keep your potted daisies looking their best, there are a few basic care tips to know:
Sunlight Needs
African daisies thrive best in full sun. Aim for at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Morning sun is ideal. An east-facing patio or windowsill works perfectly.
With too little light, the daisies will become leggy and produce fewer blooms. If you can only offer bright indirect light, they’ll still grow but won’t look their best.
Watering
These daisies like consistently moist (but not soggy) soil. Water whenever the top inch of mix feels dry. During hot weather, they may need water every 2-4 days. Always water until it drains from the bottom of the pot.
Letting pots fully dry out often can cause flower bud drop and leaf scorch. But take care not to overwater, or you risk root rot.
Fertilizer
To fuel lots of blooms, African daisies are heavy feeders. Use a balanced liquid flower fertilizer every 2-3 weeks from spring through fall. Follow label directions for proper dilution.
If using a time-release granular fertilizer, supplement with biweekly liquid feeds for best results. Potted plants can’t tap into nutrients like in-ground plants.
Enjoying Continuous Colorful Blooms
With the right care, African daisies will reward you with abundant flowers from late spring into fall. Here are some tips to maximize blooms:
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Deadhead spent blooms – This encourages new bud production
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Move pots to ideal sun exposure – Shift them around to maximize sunlight
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Water diligently – Prevent wilting, which causes buds to drop
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Feed regularly – Fuel flower power with fertilizer
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Provide afternoon shade in summer – Hot afternoon sun can fade blooms
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Overwinter indoors – Bring pots inside before frost so daisies re-bloom the following year
Common Problems and Solutions
Growing African daisies is relatively problem-free, but watch out for:
Aphids or whiteflies – Control these sucking insects with insecticidal soap sprays.
Fungal diseases – Improve airflow and use fungicides if needed.
Bud drop – This happens if plants get too hot, dry or stressed. Pamper your daisies!
Leggy growth – Give more sunlight. Pinch back leggy stems to promote bushiness.
Slowed summer growth – Move pots to partial shade during the hottest weeks and water diligently.
Lack of blooms – Increase sunlight, fertilize regularly and deadhead spent flowers.
Overwintering Your African Daisies
In zones 10-11, African daisies can stay in pots year-round. In colder climates, you’ll need to overwinter them inside to enjoy their blooms each season. Here’s how:
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Before frost, take 3-4 inch cuttings from your plants. Remove any buds or flowers.
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Place the cut ends in small pots filled with potting mix.
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Keep them in bright indirect light around 65-70°F.
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In about 4-6 weeks, the cuttings should be rooted and ready to grow on windowsills indoors until spring.
Tips for Maximizing Success
Here are a few extra pointers to help you succeed with African daisies:
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Pinch off any dead or damaged leaves and spent blooms. This keeps plants looking neat.
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Rotate pots weekly to promote even growth.
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Move pots to sheltered spots during windy and rainy weather. The delicate blooms can be damaged.
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Avoid temperature swings. Move pots to protected areas if cold snaps occur.
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Grow different varieties to enjoy a range of colors! Some popular kinds include ‘Passion Mix’, ‘Lemon Symphony’ and ‘Soprano White’.
The Joy and Rewards of Growing African Daisies
The best part about gardening is that each season brings new lessons and opportunities to try something different. Why not give African daisies a try this year? Their dazzling flowers are sure to put a smile on your face and add joy to your outdoor living space. Happy gardening!
Temperature and Humidity
African daisies prefer mild weather, which is when they bloom most profusely. They can handle nighttime temperatures down to about 40°F, though frost will damage or kill them. Humidity typically isnt an issue for them, as long as they have good air circulation, proper watering, and soil drainage.
Propagating African Daisies
Most African daisy varieties are hybrids and wont grow true from seeds saved from the plants. But you can easily propagate your plants by cuttings. This is also the best way to overwinter the plant outside of its hardiness zones. Here’s how to propagate African daisies:
- Fill a shallow tray with a sterile seed-starting mixture and dampen the mix slightly.
- Use sharp bypass pruners to take plant cuttings with two sets of leaf nodes or more, trimming 2 to 3 inches. Pinch off any flower buds present, and remove the lower leaves.
- Dip the cut end in rooting hormone, and then plant the cut end in the seed-starting mix.
- Cover the tray with a plastic dome, and place it somewhere with bright indirect light and temperatures between 60°F and 68°F.
- In four to six weeks, the plants should be sufficiently rooted to transplant to individual containers filled with potting mix or to an outdoor garden location.
How to Care For African Daisies. The Complete Growing Guide.
FAQ
Do African daisies grow well in pots?
How to keep African daisies blooming?
Do African daisies like full sun or shade?
How to care for Osteospermum in pots?