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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.

	Site and Plant Characteristics
	Growing Information
	Varieties

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.