African Daisy: How to Grow and Care with Success

Why should I grow African Daisy Flowers?

There are several reasons to grow African Daisy Flowers (Osteospermum) in your garden:

Attractive flowers: African daisies produce vibrant, colorful flowers that can brighten up any garden.

Long blooming season: African daisies have a relatively long blooming season, ensuring a continuous display of color in your garden for several months.

Low maintenance: Osteospermum plants are relatively low maintenance, requiring only basic care, such as regular watering and deadheading spent flowers.

Drought tolerance: Osteospermum is moderately drought-tolerant once established. It prefers regular watering but can survive short periods of dryness. However, prolonged drought may cause stress and reduced flowering.

Pollinator-friendly: The flowers of African daisies attract a variety of pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and hoverflies. Growing these plants can help support local pollinator populations, which are essential for a healthy ecosystem.

Deer and rabbit resistance: African daisies are generally resistant to deer and rabbit browsing, making them suitable for gardens where these animals are prevalent.

Versatile uses: Osteospermum can be grown in various settings, including borders, rock gardens, containers, and hanging baskets. This versatility allows you to incorporate African daisies into different garden styles and designs.

Variety: With over 50 species of Osteospermum and numerous cultivars and hybrids available, there is a wide range of colors, flower forms, and growth habits to choose from, allowing you to find the perfect African daisy for your garden.

When to Plant African Daisy

The best time to plant African Daisy (Osteospermum) depends on whether you’re starting from seeds or using young plants.

• Seeds: Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date in your area. This will give them enough time to germinate and grow into sturdy seedlings before transplanting outdoors. Once the risk of frost has passed and nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50°F (10°C), you can transplant the seedlings outside.
• Young plants: If you’re using young plants or nursery-grown transplants, wait until the risk of frost has passed and nighttime temperatures remain above 50°F (10°C). This will prevent cold damage to the tender plants.

Where to Plant African Daisy

Choose a location in your garden that meets the following criteria:

• Sunlight: African daisies prefer full sun. Ensure that the planting site receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal growth and flowering.
• Soil: Plant African daisies in well-draining soil. They can tolerate a wide range of soil types but prefer a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Amend heavy clay or sandy soils with organic matter, such as compost, to improve drainage and fertility.
• Space: Give the plants enough space to grow and spread. Depending on the specific variety, space them 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) apart to allow for good air circulation and prevent overcrowding.

How to Plant African Daisy

Follow these steps to plant African daisies in your garden:

• Prepare the planting site by removing weeds, rocks, and debris and loosening the soil to a depth of 12 inches (30 cm).
• If necessary, amend the soil with compost or other organic matter to improve its texture, drainage, and fertility.
• Dig a hole slightly larger and as deep as the root ball of the African daisy plant or seedling.
• Gently remove the plant from its container, taking care not to damage the roots. If the roots are tightly bound, tease them apart gently to encourage outward growth.
• Place the plant in the hole, making sure the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Fill in the hole with soil, gently firming it around the plant’s base to remove air pockets.
• Water the newly planted African daisy thoroughly to settle the soil and ensure good root-to-soil contact.

Caring for African Daisies

Here are the main aspects to consider when caring for African Daisies:

• Watering: Water African daisies regularly, ensuring that the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged. Overwatering can lead to root rot, while underwatering may cause stress and reduced flowering. Once established, these plants can tolerate occasional dry spells, but they will perform best with consistent moisture.
• Fertilizing: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or organic compost to provide essential nutrients for healthy growth and flowering. Follow the fertilizer package instructions for application rates and timing. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowers.
• Deadheading: Remove spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming throughout the season and maintain a neat appearance. This also helps prevent the plant from setting seed, which can decrease its vigor.
• Pruning: Lightly prune African daisies in early spring or late summer to maintain their shape and promote bushier growth. Remove any dead or damaged stems and foliage as needed throughout the growing season.
• Mulching: Apply a 2-3 inch (5-7.5 cm) layer of organic mulch around the base of the plant, keeping it away from the stem. Mulch helps conserve soil moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds.

By following these care tips, you can ensure that your African Daisies remain healthy and produce an abundance of vibrant flowers throughout the growing season.

Landscaping with African Daisy

Landscaping with African Daisies can add a beautiful and vibrant touch to your garden, thanks to their colorful flowers and attractive foliage. Here are some ideas on how to incorporate African Daisies into your landscape design:

Borders and edging: African Daisies work well as edging plants or in mixed borders, where their bright flowers can provide a stunning contrast to other plants. Plant them in groups or rows along pathways, driveways, or garden edges for a striking visual effect.

Containers and hanging baskets: African Daisies are excellent container plants, thriving in pots, window boxes, and hanging baskets. Use them as a focal point on your patio, deck, or balcony, or mix them with other annuals or perennials with similar growing requirements for an interesting and colorful display.

Rock gardens: The drought-tolerant nature of African Daisies makes them suitable for rock gardens or xeriscapes, where they can add a touch of color and texture among stones and other drought-resistant plants.

Mass plantings: Plant African Daisies in large groups or drifts to create a bold and colorful impact in your landscape. This can be particularly effective when using a single color or a mix of complementary colors.

Coastal gardens: Osteospermum is tolerant of salt spray and sandy soils, making it a good choice for coastal gardens. Plant them in drifts or along the edges of pathways in seaside landscapes for a bright, cheerful look.

Wildlife gardens: African Daisies attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hoverflies, making them an excellent addition to a wildlife-friendly garden. Plant them near other pollinator-friendly plants to create a diverse and attractive habitat for beneficial insects.

Cottage gardens: The informal, daisy-like flowers of African Daisies fit well into a traditional cottage garden design, mingling with other perennials and annuals for a lush and colorful display.

When landscaping with African Daisies, consider their growth habits, size, and preferred growing conditions to ensure they thrive and contribute to a beautiful and cohesive garden design. Mixing Osteospermum with other plants that have similar sunlight, soil, and water requirements can help create a harmonious and visually appealing landscape.

African Daisy Companion Plants

When selecting companion plants for African Daisies, choose plants with similar growing requirements and complementary colors, textures, or forms. Here are some suggested companion plants that pair well with African Daisies:

Salvia: These plants offer an array of flower colors and have similar sunlight and soil preferences as African Daisies. They also attract pollinators and provide a contrasting texture.

Lavender: Lavender’s silvery foliage and fragrant purple flowers can complement the vibrant colors of African Daisies, while both plants enjoy full sun and well-draining soil.

Echinacea: Coneflowers, with their daisy-like flowers in various colors, can create a stunning visual display when planted alongside African Daisies. Both plants attract pollinators and enjoy similar growing conditions.

Coreopsis: Another daisy-like flower, coreopsis blooms in shades of yellow, orange, and red, complementing the colors of African Daisies. Both plants have similar sunlight and soil requirements and attract pollinators.

Ornamental grasses: The fine-textured foliage of ornamental grasses can provide an interesting contrast to the bold flowers of African Daisies, while both types of plants enjoy sunny locations.

Petunia: With a wide range of flower colors, petunias can complement African Daisies in mixed borders or containers. Both plants prefer full sun and well-draining soil.

Verbena: Verbena’s clusters of small flowers in various colors can create a stunning combination with the bold blooms of African Daisies. Both plants enjoy full sun and well-draining soil and are attractive to pollinators.

Marigold: Marigolds offer bright colors and a contrasting flower form, making them suitable companions for African Daisies. Both plants are sun-loving and have similar growing requirements.

Calibrachoa: Also known as million bells, calibrachoa features small, bell-shaped flowers that can complement African Daisies in containers or hanging baskets. Both plants enjoy similar growing conditions.

Dusty miller: The silvery-gray foliage of dusty miller can create a striking contrast to the vibrant flowers of African Daisies, and both plants enjoy full sun and well-draining soil.

When choosing companion plants for African Daisies, consider the specific growing conditions in your garden, such as sun exposure, soil type, and climate. Select plants that will not only complement African Daisies visually but also thrive in similar conditions for a harmonious and healthy garden.

How to Propagate

Osteospermum, or African Daisy, can be propagated through various methods, including seeds, cuttings, and division. Here’s a guide on how to propagate Osteospermum using each method:

Seeds:

• Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date in your area.
• Fill seed trays or small pots with seed compost or a well-draining potting mix.
• Sow seeds on the surface, spacing them evenly. Lightly cover them with a thin layer of soil or vermiculite, as they need light to germinate.
• Water gently to moisten the soil, and place the trays or pots in a warm location with temperatures between 65-75°F (18-24°C).
• Keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid overwatering. Seeds should germinate within 2-4 weeks.
• Once the seedlings have developed two sets of true leaves, transplant them into individual pots.
• Gradually acclimate the young plants to outdoor conditions before transplanting them into the garden after the risk of frost has passed.

Cuttings:

• Take cuttings in late spring or early summer from healthy, non-flowering shoots.
• Select a 3-5 inch (7.5-12.5 cm) long stem with at least two sets of leaves. Make a clean cut just below a leaf node.
• Remove the lower leaves, leaving only the top two sets of leaves.
• Dip the cut end in rooting hormone (optional) to encourage root development.
• Fill a pot with a well-draining potting mix or a mixture of peat and perlite or sand.
• Insert the cut end into the potting mix, making sure the lowest leaves do not touch the soil.
• Water the cutting, and cover the pot with a plastic bag or place it in a propagator to maintain high humidity.
• Place the pot in a warm location with indirect light. Monitor the moisture levels and ensure the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged.
• Roots should develop within 4-6 weeks. Gently tug the cutting to check for resistance, which indicates successful rooting.
• Once rooted, remove the plastic bag or move the cutting out of the propagator and gradually acclimate the young plant to normal growing conditions before transplanting it into the garden or a larger pot.

Division:

• Division is best done in early spring or fall when the plant is not in full bloom.
• Gently dig up the clump of Osteospermum, taking care not to damage the roots.
• Using a sharp, clean spade or knife, divide the clump into smaller sections, each with a healthy root system and some foliage.
• Replant the divisions immediately in the garden or pots, maintaining the same soil level as before.
• Water the newly transplanted divisions thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots.

Regardless of the propagation method you choose, ensure the young plants receive appropriate care and growing conditions to maximize their chances of success.

Pests and Diseases

African Daisy, is generally a low-maintenance and resilient plant. However, it can sometimes be affected by certain pests and diseases. Here are some common problems and how to manage them:

Aphids: These small, sap-sucking insects can cluster on the underside of leaves or on tender new growth. They can cause leaves to curl, distort, or become discolored. Manage aphids by spraying the affected plants with a strong jet of water to dislodge the insects, or use insecticidal soap or neem oil according to label instructions.

Whiteflies: These tiny, white insects can be found on the underside of leaves and may cause yellowing or curling of leaves. They can also excrete honeydew, leading to the growth of sooty mold. Control whiteflies by using yellow sticky traps, spraying with insecticidal soap, or applying neem oil as directed on the label.

Spider mites: These microscopic pests can cause stippling, yellowing, or browning of leaves, and may lead to leaf drop. They are more prevalent in hot, dry conditions. Manage spider mites by increasing humidity, spraying with a strong jet of water, or using insecticidal soap or neem oil as directed on the label.

Powdery mildew: This fungal disease appears as white, powdery patches on leaves and stems, and can cause leaf distortion or premature leaf drop. To prevent and manage powdery mildew, ensure adequate air circulation around plants, water in the morning, and avoid overhead watering. If necessary, use a fungicide labeled for powdery mildew control, following label instructions.

Root rot: Overwatering or poorly draining soil can lead to root rot, a fungal disease that causes the roots to become brown, mushy, and decayed. Affected plants may wilt, yellow, or exhibit stunted growth. Prevent root rot by providing well-draining soil and avoiding overwatering. Remove and dispose of severely affected plants to prevent the spread of the disease.

Leaf spots: Fungal or bacterial infections can cause leaf spots, which may appear as brown or black spots on the leaves. To manage leaf spot diseases, remove and dispose of infected leaves, avoid overhead watering, and ensure good air circulation around plants. Apply a fungicide or bactericide labeled for leaf spot control, following label instructions.

To minimize the risk of pests and diseases, maintain good cultural practices, such as providing appropriate growing conditions, proper watering and fertilization, and regular inspection and maintenance of plants. Promptly address any problems to prevent further damage and ensure the health and vigor of your Osteospermum plants.

Compare all African Daisy Varieties

Frequently Asked Questions

Do African Daisy come back every year?

African Daisies (Osteospermum) can be grown as perennials or annuals, depending on the climate. In USDA hardiness zones 10-11, they can be grown as perennials, where they will come back every year. In colder climates (zones 9 and below), they are typically grown as annuals and need to be replanted each year.

Where do African daisies grow best?

African Daisies grow best in full sun, where they receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. They prefer well-draining soil, and they can tolerate sandy and somewhat rocky soils. They perform best with consistent moisture.

Do African daisies spread?

African Daisies tend to grow in a mounding or spreading habit, depending on the variety. Some varieties can spread up to 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) wide. They do not typically become invasive but can fill in garden spaces over time. If you want to control their spread, you can prune or trim the plants as needed to maintain the desired size and shape.

Should African daisies be cut back?

African Daisies can be cut back to maintain their shape, promote bushier growth, and encourage more blooms. Lightly prune the plants in early spring or late summer by removing any dead, damaged, or excessively long stems. Cutting back the plants can also help rejuvenate them and maintain a tidy appearance.