How to Garden With Gerbera Daisy Flower Plants

Gerbera daisy (Gerbera Jamesonii) originates from South Africa and has become a popular garden and cut flower. It’s known for its bright, vivid colors and big daisy-like blooms. The stems grow to heights of 10 to 18 inches, with 3 to 5 inch flowers in reds, oranges, yellows, white and pinks. Gerberas are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 9 to 10. They can be grown as annuals or as perennials when brought inside in the coldest months.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

things you’ll need:

• Shovel
• Fertilizer
• Pruning shears

1. Amend clay-like, heavy soil with organic material like compost or peat moss to make it drain better. Gerbera daisies need rich well-drained soil to grow well. They don’t like wet, soggy soil.
2. Select locations with full sun for your plants. Gerberas need full sun for large blooms and continued growth. They grow best if there is full sun in the fall, winter and spring. Light shade is useful in the summer because it will protect the plant from the hot temperatures. Too little light causes pale green leaves and weak stems. Too much causes compact, yellow leaves with short stems.
3. Set out gerbera plants in their nursery containers to determine your planting blueprint. They can be grown alone in a garden for maximum color impact, or among taller and shorter plants for an eclectic look. Gerberas also grow well in containers and can be put in window boxes.
4. Dig a hole that is wider than the gerbera’s root mass. It should be slightly shallower, so the crowns can be planted above the soil level. If they are in the soil, the crowns may rot.
5. Place the plant in the hole. Fill in around the roots with the removed soil. Press down lightly to remove air pockets.
6. Water gerberas thoroughly, then allow the plants to dry somewhat. This will reduce the stem’s growth and will ward off disease. Look for signs of wilt and add water if the plant dries out too much. Water early in the day, so the leaves are completely dry before evening.
7. Feed the plants with a half-strength balanced fertilizer every other week during the flowering period, which is spring and summer. Pluck off spent flowers and old foliage.