African Daisy
Arctotis venusta (Arctotis stoechadifolia) and hybrids and Osteospermum species and hybrids. ASTERACEAE (COMPOSITAE).
Arctotis venusta and hybrids
Osteospermum species and hybrids
Planting and Growing African Daisy
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow both popular species of African daisy in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, and root structure of African daisy
- Plant hardiness and growing conditions for African daisy
- Season of bloom and planting time for African daisy
- When, how deep, and where to plant African daisy
- How to plant African daisy
- Watering, fertilizing, care and pests or diseases of African daisy
- Landscape and container uses of African daisy
- Comments about African daisy and its features
Growing African Daisy
Two distantly related plants called African daisy are popularly cultivated: Arctotis venusta and its hybrids, and several of the Osteospermum species and their hybrids. Consult the species information below for full planting and care information for each species.
Arctotis venusta (Arctotis stoechadifolia) and hybrids. Many cultivars and hybrids of erect, branching or mounding, deciduous perennial herbs, to 2 ft. (60 cm) tall. Hairy, textured, gray green, green, lobed leaves, 3–4 in. (75–100 mm) long. See also Cape Marigold, Dimorphotheca pluvalis, a related annual species with similar form and growth habit.
Osteospermum species and hybrids. More than 70 species of mounding or trailing, stoloniferous, semi-evergreen annual or perennial herbs, usually 6–12 in. (15–30 cm) tall. Alternate, smooth or toothed, deep green, lance-shaped leaves, 2–4 in. (50–100 mm) long.
Planting and Care of <em>Arctotis venusta</em>
Blooms
Single cream, pink, purple, red, white, yellow, daisylike, many-petaled flowers, 2–3 in. (50–75 mm) wide, in late spring–summer. Best blooms on first-year plants.
Best Climates
Tender. Plant as annual, zones 2–7; ground hardy, zones 8–10. Best in cool, coastal areas.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist, well-drained, sandy soil. Fertility: Rich. 6.5–7.5 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Spring, zones 2–7, when soil warms; autumn, zones 8–10, in full sun, 6–12 in.(15–30 cm) apart.
Proper Care
Easy. Keep damp; allow soil surface to dry between waterings. Fertilize monthly. Deadhead spent flowers to promote new buds. Protect from heat. Propagate by cuttings, division, seed.
About This Plant
Good choice for beds, borders, containers in cottage, natural, woodland gardens. Good for cutting. Pest and disease resistant.
Planting and Care of <em>Osteospermum</em> species
Blooms
Many showy, intensely blue, pink, purple, white, yellow, daisylike, open flowers, 2–3 in. (50–75 mm) wide, with dark centers and contrasting ray undersides, in late spring–early autumn to year-round, depending on climate.
Best Climates
Semi-hardy. Plant as annual, zones 3–6 and desert climates; ground hardy, zones 7–10.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist, well-drained humus. Fertility: Average–low. 6.5–8.0 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Spring in full sun, 18 in. (45 cm) apart, or as winter annual in desert climates.
Proper Care
Easy. Keep damp; allow soil surface to dry between waterings. Drought tolerant. Fertilize annually. Remove spent plants in colony centers. Deadhead spent flowers to prolong bloom. Shear in autumn. Propagate by division, seed.
About This Plant
Good choice for accents, borders, containers, ground covers, paths, walls in arid, meadow, rock, seaside gardens. Good for geometric color plantings. Slug, snail susceptible.