How to Plant, Grow, and Care for African Daisy

Have you ever wondered what those daisy-like flowers are with the creamy yellow petals and sunburst purple center? They exude cheerfulness every time you see them in a garden. Well, you are in for a treat today because we are talking about the beautiful African daisy. 

These annuals or tender perennials are from the daisy family, and the flowers sport bright colors. The orange and pink flowers with multi-colored centers are a favorite. The good news is in this article, you will learn about the plant called African daisy, and gain some useful details about African daisy care.   

The scientific name for the African daisy is Osteospermum. One of the most popular Proven Winners of the Osteospermum hybrid is ‘Bright Lights’, which features yellow, pink, or purple flowers close together. To have them year-round depends on your climate because they do not tolerate frost. What’s great is they prefer full sun, are heat and drought-tolerant, and aren’t prone to diseases and pest infestations compared to other annuals. 

Get ready to take notes while you read this growing guide – you’ll find plenty of information about how to care for African daisies. And once you realize how easy they are to propagate, you’ll be ready to grow them in your own garden. 

What are African Daisies?

African Daisies go by other names such as Cape daisy, blue-eyed daisy, and South African daisy. The botanical name, also called the scientific name, is Osteospermum spp. They are drought- and heat-tolerant once established. They grow the same as other annuals in zones that receive frost – the variety also determines if it’s an annual or perennial.

Native Area

As the name suggests, African daisies are native to East and Southern Africa and specifically South Africa. They grow best in USDA zones 10-11 as tender perennials. The African daisy was discovered in the 19th century and quickly became popular in other areas of the world.

Characteristics

The native flower species have white petals with a blue center surrounding the yellow disc. However, you will find hybrids that feature a variety of flower hues, from pink to yellow or even white. Leaves are oval or lance-shaped and gray-green with smooth edges near the top and serrated edges towards the bottom of the plant. The flowers grow on a straight stem and sit above the foliage. 

There are many stems and flowers blooming at one time on this erect annual. The spoon-shaped flowers have a buttery yellow center surrounded by many thin petals to form a rosette, some varieties even showcase semi-double flowers. Blooms can range in size from two to four inches across, depending on the cultivar. African daisies grow fast and begin blooming in early summer and continue to bloom until late summer into early fall.  

Planting

First choose a sunny location with well-draining soil, as these hardy flowers thrive in full sun and tolerate dry conditions. Prepare the soil by loosening it and mixing in compost for added nutrients. If planting seeds, sow them directly into the soil in early spring, lightly covering them with soil.

For seedlings, space them about ten inches apart to allow for proper airflow and growth. Water moderately, keeping the soil moist but not soggy, and avoid overwatering.

How to Grow

Compared to other species, African daisies are one of the easiest flowering annuals to grow in the garden. Once established, you’ll enjoy their beautiful blooms all summer long. This next section discusses planting instructions and care for African daisies.  

Light

Grow African daisies in full sun after the last frost for the best results. They will tolerate light shade but may not bloom as often. Extreme heat is not ideal and will stress them out – you can grow other varieties next to them to provide shade during the hottest part of the day. Their ideal USDA growing zone is 10-11, but you can grow them in other zones as annuals because they are sensitive to frost. 

Water

The best time of day to water is first thing in the morning. Water regularly until it is well established, but only to keep the soil evenly moist. Once established, water one to two inches per week. These annuals are drought tolerant, so they dislike being over-watered. Water at the base and try not to splash soil onto the stem or leaves to prevent fungal spores from being introduced. Most African daisies can tolerate some humidity as long as they have good air circulation. 

Soil

African daisies thrive in well-drained garden soil that is slightly acidic with a pH of 5-5.5. Organic matter such as compost is great to add to the soil when you plant to increase drainage. Soggy soil encourages fungal diseases to attack. Many African daisy varieties will tolerate dry or poor soil, but you’ll get bushier growth with nutrient-rich soil.  

Temperature

The ideal temperature range is from 60 to 90°F (16-32°C). They will not survive below 40°F (4°C). If you live in colder climates, you can take cuttings from your annuals at the end of the growing season to propagate new ones for the next growing season.     

Fertilizing

Add organic matter when you grow African daisies in your garden, and you won’t need to fertilize until mid-summer. Use a balanced slow-release fertilizer and take care not to apply too much nitrogen, as this will encourage bushier growth that will produce fewer flowers. Fertilize regularly through the growing season to enjoy larger flowers. Fertilize for the last time in early fall and begin again in late spring if you live in a mild climate that supports them year-round. 

Maintenance

For the best African daisy care and to encourage an abundance of beautiful flowers, deadhead the spent flower buds. This will encourage reblooming into late summer. Cut back in early fall to allow it to go dormant for the mild winter. Also, if they become leggy, give them a trim to shape and encourage growth.   

Propagation

There are two methods for propagating African daisies. The first method is by seeds – don’t save seeds from previous annuals since most are hybrids, and they won’t grow true. Sow outdoors once the danger of frost has passed. Place seeds ten inches apart and lightly cover them with soil. Water regularly to keep the soil moist. You can start them indoors, but it stresses them being transplanted when young. However, if you sow them in our Epic 4-cells, you’ll have fewer problems with transplant shock. 

You can also begin new annuals by taking cuttings. Prepare small containers with seed starting mixture and slightly moisten. Cut healthy stems that have at least three to four leaves. Pinch off the flower bud if present and remove lower leaves to expose the nodes. Dip the end (make sure to get the exposed nodes) in rooting hormone and gently push the stem into the prepared container. Keep the cuttings warm at 60-68°F. Place them in a bright location out of direct sunlight and keep the soil moist but not soggy until they root in three to four weeks. 

Common Problems

Luckily, you won’t encounter too many growing problems or have to deal with many pests and diseases when growing African daisies. However, this next section will help troubleshoot any problems you may experience. 

Growing Problems

If your African daisy isn’t producing a plethora of stunning blooms, you may need to deadhead it (which means remove the spent blooms), provide a dose of fertilizer, or give it a little extra water and shade since it may be stressed by the hot weather. Generally, when the weather cools, it will flower more.

Even though they are heat-tolerant, you may notice wilting. The African daisy prefers to be planted in soil with good drainage (it does not do well in clay soils) and receive plenty of sun. Providing well-drained soil and sun will help prevent it from wilting and ensure a healthy specimen. 

Pests

There are two common pests of the African daisy. The first one is aphids. These tiny insects are usually brown or green, and you will find them hiding under the leaves. These pests suck the sap, causing the leaves to turn yellow and curl. You can blast them away with water if there are not many aphids. Attracting beneficial insects to your garden, such as the parasitic wasp and lady beetles, will help keep their population down. Neem oil, and diatomaceous earth are good choices for controlling a large aphid population. 

The second most common pest is whiteflies. These insects are tiny, and they look like white specks. They like to hang out on the underside of the leaves and suck the sap. This will cause the leaves to yellow and fall off, making it unsightly. Lacewings and lady beetles are natural predators, so attracting these beneficial insects to your garden is a good idea. Neem oil is effective when there is a large amount attacking your daisies. 

Diseases

Luckily, African daisies aren’t susceptible to many diseases. The primary concern to be aware of is fungal diseases such as verticillium wilt that are usually caused by excess moisture. If you live in a humid environment, take extra care to prevent fungus from growing on leaves. Don’t water your flower from the top; water from the base to prevent water droplets from splashing onto the daisies. 

Fungal spores hang out in the dirt and are inadvertently introduced by splashing water. Also, make sure there is plenty of airflow around the pink flowers and only water when there is plenty of time for the water to dry in the day’s warmth. Mulching can prevent soil splashback onto leaves. Fungicides can be applied if you don’t catch the fungal disease in the early stages. 

Another possible fungal disease is root rot. This is a fungal disease that often results in part due to over-watering. It can be prevented by watering as recommended to prevent the wet soils that the fungal pathogen prefers. Once established, the African daisy only needs one to two inches of water per week at the most. Frequent fertilizing and soil that doesn’t drain well can also cause root rot. Symptoms are stunted growth and yellowing of the leaves. If you catch root rot early, you can save it. Remove it from its current location, plant it in a well-draining potting mix and adjust your watering schedule. 

Frequently Asked Questions