Growing Guide
 
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Gazania

Annual Flower, Houseplant

Also known as African Daisy, Treasure Flower
Gazania ringens
Asteraceae Family
Synonym: Gazania longiscapa

The unreal, vividly colored flowers of this South African plant bring a touch of the exotic to the garden. Excellent for sun-baked sites with dry soil.

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Site Characteristics
Sunlight:
  • full sun

Soil conditions:

  • tolerates droughty soil
  • requires well-drained soil
  • tolerates low fertility
Prefers sandy, well drained soil. Performs best in hot weather.

Special locations:

  • outdoor containers
  • rock gardens
  • xeriscapes
  • indoors as a houseplant - Before fall frost, bring the plants indoors to overwinter in bright light with minimal water. Or pot and overwinter cuttings made from the base of the plant in late summer or early fall.
Plant Traits

Lifecycle: annual

Ease-of-care: easy

Height: 0.5 to 1.5 feet

Spread: 0.5 to 1.5 feet

Bloom time:

  • early summer
  • mid-summer
  • late summer
  • early fall

Flower color:

  • red
  • orange
  • yellow
  • white
  • pink

Flowers close at night, and come in a wide array of color variations and variegation.

Foliage color:

  • medium green
  • other

Foliage texture: medium

Shape: spreading mass

Shape in flower: same as above

Special Considerations
Tolerates:
  • salt
  • heat
Special characteristics:
  • non-aggressive
  • non-invasive
  • not native to North America - South Africa
Attracts:
  • butterflies
Special uses:
  • direct-seeding
Growing Information
How to plant:

Propagate by seed, cuttings - Start the seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring frost date, or scatter the seeds where desired outdoors after frost danger has passed. Cover the seeds lightly, as darkness aids germination. Make basal cuttings in late summer or early fall.

Germination temperature: 60 F to 65 F

Days to emergence: 7 to 21

Maintenance and care:
Deadhead to encourage bloom.

More growing information: How to Grow Annuals

Varieties
Look for different color variations and various color markings.

‘Chansonette’ Series: very early flowering compact plants at 8 to 10” tall. Variety of flower colors.

‘Daybreak’ Series: very large (4”) flowers in shades of orange, yellow, pink, white and bicolors. Yellow centers have dark red/brown rings around them. Compact and showy.

‘Mini-Star’ Series: dwarf (6 to 8” tall) plants with showy, vivid flowers in shades of yellow, pink, orange, white and red. Flowers prolifically.

‘Talent Mix’: compact plants with distinct silvery leaves and flowers in shades of white, yellow, pink, and orange.