Osteospermums are sometimes known as African daisies – and it’s not difficult to see why.
Their disc-like blossoms are reminiscent of daisies in shape and structure, while the spectrum of colours they are available in is more in keeping with the flamboyance and vibrancy of the African continent.
Although more resilient than some other specimens, they will often die if the mercury drops below -5°C.
In the UK, that’s a fairly regular occurrence, meaning it may make more sense to take cuttings and replant them the following year, rather than trying to overwinter your specimens.
The good news is that propagating osteospermum from cuttings is a straightforward process that shouldn’t present too many difficulties.
If you’re still feeling unsure about how to approach the propagation of osteospermum from cuttings, don’t worry.
African daisies, with their cheerful daisy-like blooms, are a delightful addition to any garden. Also known as osteospermums these hardy plants are relatively easy to grow and propagate. Propagating your own African daisies allows you to expand your garden collection without spending a lot of money. In this article, I’ll share some easy methods for propagating these gorgeous flowers successfully.
Why Propagate African Daisies?
Here are some key reasons you may want to propagate your own African daisies:
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Save Money – Propagating from an existing plant is much cheaper than buying new plants each time.
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Expand Your Collection – Propagating gives you more plants so you can create beautiful African daisy filled gardens
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Share with Friends – Having extra plants allows you to share these lovely blooms with gardening friends and family.
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Ideal for Containers – The compact size of African daisies makes them great for pots and planters. Propagating gives you a continuous supply.
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Great for Pollinators – With their nectar-rich flowers, African daisies attract pollinators. More plants means more food sources for bees!
How to Propagate African Daisies
African daisies can be easily propagated through seeds, division, or stem cuttings. Let’s look at each method in detail:
Propagating African Daisies from Seeds
Propagating African daisies from seeds is a simple way to get identical new plants. Here are the steps:
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Allow seed heads to fully mature and dry on the plant. The seeds are ready when the petals drop off.
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Carefully harvest the dried seed heads. Place them in a paper bag and allow to further dry for 1-2 weeks.
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To remove the seeds, rub the flower heads gently over a coarse screen or sieve to separate the seeds from the chaff.
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Optional: For improved germination, you can scald the seeds briefly in hot water before planting.
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Sow the seeds in sterile seed starting mix. Cover lightly with soil, about 1/8 inch deep.
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Water gently using a spray bottle to avoid dislodging the seeds. Keep moist, not saturated.
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Germination takes 7-14 days at temperatures of 65-70°F.
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Transplant seedlings when they develop 2-4 true leaves. Harden off before planting outdoors.
Dividing Established African Daisy Plants
Mature African daisy plants can be divided in early spring:
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Water the plant thoroughly a day before dividing to hydrate it.
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Carefully dig up the plant and gently tease the roots apart using your hands or a fork.
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Divide into sections, ensuring each division has some roots and several stems with leaves attached.
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Replant divisions at the same depth they were originally growing and water well.
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Keep the plants well-watered until re-established. Divisions may bloom the first season.
Propagating from Stem Cuttings
Taking stem cuttings is another simple way to propagate African daisies:
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Take 3-4 inch tip cuttings from healthy, non-flowering stems using sharp scissors or pruners.
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Remove the lower leaves and dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder.
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Plant the cuttings in sterile seed starting mix, sand, or vermiculite.
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Place in indirect sunlight and keep the medium lightly moist. Avoid overwatering.
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Rooting takes 2-3 weeks. Pot up the rooted cuttings once established.
Growing African Daisies from Propagules
Once you’ve propagated new African daisy plants, providing proper care will ensure beautiful blooms. Here are some key tips:
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Plant in full sun locations with well-draining soil. They enjoy at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
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Water thoroughly only when the top inch of soil is dry. Too much moisture can lead to root rot.
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Fertilize monthly with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season for prolific flowering.
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Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers. Prune leggy growth to promote bushiness.
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Bring potted plants indoors before first frost in cold climates. African daisies are not winter hardy.
Propagating African daisies is easy and rewarding. In no time, you’ll have plenty of these vibrant, cheery flowers to create stunning garden displays that attract pollinators. The methods discussed above will have you set up for African daisy growing success!
Prepare Your Module Tray
Whether using segmented trays or planting the cuttings directly into a shared pot, you should plan to give one enough space (at least 2-3cm2 and preferably more) for it to develop.
You should experience decent results with any cuttings compost mix, but you can enhance the chances of your cuttings taking root by grit, perlite or sand (for drainage) into the mix.
Take Your Cuttings
Although it’s possible to take your cuttings at other times of the year, doing so in summer will ensure that the plant is in its best possible state of health.
It will also give you plenty of time to root the cuttings and prepare them for transplantation outside the following year.
“Harvesting cuttings first thing in the morning is a good idea, as plants usually have their moisture levels topped up overnight,” says Master Horticulturist Peter Lickorish.
Choose non-flowering shoots and slice off a 5cm length of the stem from the tip downwards.
Repeat as many times as desired.
“Place harvested cuttings in a moistened plastic bag to keep them humid until you’re ready to prepare them, but don’t delay too long,” Peter adds.
“They will still lose precious moisture every moment between being taken away from their parent plant and being placed in damp compost.”
African Daisies | Propagation
FAQ
How to propagate African daisies from cuttings?
Do African daisies spread?
How to propagate daisy from cuttings?
How do you propagate African daisies?
You can also prune leggy or overgrown stems to promote bushier growth. Propagation: African Daisies can be propagated through stem cuttings. Take 3-4 inch cuttings from healthy stems, remove the lower leaves, and dip the cut end in rooting hormone. Plant the cuttings in a well-draining potting mix and keep them moist until roots develop.
Can African daisies grow from seeds?
Most African daisy varieties are hybrids and won’t 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:
Can African daisies grow in containers?
Here is a care guide to help you successfully grow African Daisies in containers: Selecting the right pot: Choose a pot that is at least 8-10 inches deep and has drainage holes at the bottom. This will ensure proper drainage and prevent waterlogging. Soil requirements: African Daisies prefer well-draining soil.
Can African daisies outgrow pots?
Repotting: African Daisies can outgrow their pots over time. Repot them into a slightly larger container with fresh potting soil every 1-2 years, preferably in the spring when they are actively growing. By following these care guidelines, you can enjoy the vibrant blooms of African Daisies indoors throughout the year.