Grow gerbera daisy with morning sun, sharp drain, and a crown that stays dry between waterings. Transvaal daisy and Barberton daisy are the same plant.
Give it morning sun, sharp drain, and a crown that stays dry
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Full sun in cool summers. Morning sun and afternoon shade where summers run hot | Deep shade that stops bloom, or hot west sun that scorches petals |
| Soil | Sandy or gritty ground that drains fast. Slightly acidic is fine | Heavy clay or a low wet spot that keeps the crown wet |
| Water | Water at the base when the top inch of soil is dry. Let the crown dry between waterings | Overhead spray into the crown, or a saucer of standing water |
| Crown | Keep the leafy center dry. Do not pile mulch over it | Leaving wet soil or wet mulch sitting on the crown |
Gerbera daisy fails when the crown sits wet. [1] Give it morning sun, soil that drains, and water at the base — not into the leafy center. [2] A classic plant such as jamesonii and a harder garden kind such as Garvinea Sweet Memories want that same dry crown. Match the kind on Types of Gerbera Daisy before you buy. Set a nursery plant after frost on Planting Gerbera Daisy. A draining container is the usual home on Gerbera Daisy in Pots. [3] [4]
How often should I water gerbera daisy?
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Soak the base, then let the crown dry. Do not leave the pot in a full saucer, and do not water over the leaves every day.
Do gerbera daisies need full sun?
They bloom in full sun in a cool summer. Where summers run hot, give morning sun and afternoon shade so the petals do not scorch.
Deadhead spent stems to keep bloom coming
Spent flowers stall the next stem. Remove the whole flower stem as soon as the petals fade, down to the next leaf or bud, so the plant puts energy into new blooms instead of seed.
- Deadhead as soon as petals fade. Pull or cut the whole stem, not just the flower head.
- Cut or pull down to the next leaf or bud. Do not leave a long stub in the clump.
- Keep doing this through the season. A plant that is happy will keep sending new stems until frost.
Should I deadhead gerbera daisies?
Yes. Remove the whole stem when petals fade. Leaving spent heads on the plant slows the next flush of bloom.
Not African daisy — and not Gazania or Shasta
Shop tags sometimes call gerbera an African daisy. That name belongs to How to Grow African Daisy (Osteospermum), not this crown. Arctotis is a different daisy on How to Grow Arctotis. Gazania is How to Grow Gazania. Shasta daisy is How to Grow Shasta Daisy — a hardy white clump, not a florist gerbera.
Is gerbera daisy the same as African daisy?
No. Gerbera is Gerbera. African daisy on our site is Osteospermum. Buy by the Latin name on the tag if the common name is muddy.
If leaves yellow and the crown softens, raise the crown and fix drainage — do not add more overhead water.
FAQ
Are gerbera daisies annuals or perennials?
They are tender perennials. In a warm, well-drained winter they can return. In most of the country, treat them as annuals or bring the pot in before frost.
Why are the leaves yellow?
Check drainage first — a wet crown yellows leaves fast. In pots, iron or manganese shortage can also show as yellow leaves; use a fertilizer that includes those micronutrients.
Why did bloom slow down?
Too little light, too much nitrogen, or spent stems left on the plant. Move it into morning sun, deadhead, and ease off leafy fertilizer.
What about whitefly or mites indoors?
Indoor plants can pick up whitefly, aphid, and mite when the mix stays wet or air is still. Check leaf undersides and improve air flow. Do not spray in heat or full sun.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Clemson HGIC -
https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/gerbera-daisy/ - [2] University of Florida Gardening Solutions -
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/gerbera-daisy/ - [3] Old Farmer's Almanac -
https://www.almanac.com/plant/gerbera-daisies - [4] Gardener's Path -
https://gardenerspath.com/plants/flowers/grow-gerbera-daisies/
This note is part of Gerbera Guides.
More first-season notes by plant are gathered in How to Grow Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors