Arctotheca
( ark - TOH - thik - uh )
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At-A-Glance InformationCommonly called Cape Weed, this flowering annual or perennial plant needs full sun and little to no water and are native to South Africa. They create easy-to-grow groundcovers, and should be placed 1.5 feet apart on average for a lush covering. Gray-green leaves contrast the commonly yellow or white daisy-like flowers that bloom for most of the year. These are great candidates for hillsides and large areas that need coverage, surviving in the outskirts of the garden well. Take care when planting these flowers in the landscape, as they are considered toxic to humans and pets if ingested.
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arctotheca species and varietals
The genus Arctotheca is a member of the plant family Asteraceae and includes five distinct species, some of which are considered to be weedy. They grow best in USDA hardiness zones 8-11 zones 8, 9 and 13-21 (To find your zone, click here: Zone Map).
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Arctotheca calendula (Capeweed, Plain Treasureflower, Cape Dandelion, Cape Marigold) This species is native to South Africa and sends out basal rosettes of dark green foliage with hairy stems. Flowers are yellow (sometimes with either a green or purple tint) in the center and have white or yellow ray petals. Reaches 6-12 inches tall at maturity when in bloom. |
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Arctotheca forbesiana This native to the Western Cape is endangered due to crop cultivation and urban development. It is similar in appearance to most other species in the genus, and this forms a groundcover mat of green foliage with white to yellow daisy-like flowers in spring and summertime. |
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Arctotheca marginata This species is native to the Northern Cape of South Africa and is threatened with extinction due to overgrazing and groundwater instructions. Individual plants reach up to 6-12 inches tall when mature and in bloom, and produce yellow flowers with dark centers. |
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Arctotheca populifolia (Beach Daisy, Cape Beach Daisy, South African Beach Daisy, Coast Capeweed, Beach Pumpkin, Sea Pumpkin, Dune Cabbage, Seepampoen, Tonteldoek, Strandgousblom) This weedy species is commonly found along coastlines in sandy beach areas, and has light grey-green foliage on decumbent stems. Flowers are yellow, blooming on hairy stems. Plants reach up to just under a foot tall when mature. |
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Arctotheca prostrata (Prostrate Cape Weed, Creeping Bear's Ear) This species is considered to be an invasive weed in California and Australia. It forms a basal rosette of dark green foliage, and daisy-form flowers with yellow rays and darker yellow centers. Plants reach under a foot tall when mature and in bloom. |
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Caring for Arctotheca
Take care when planting these flowers in the landscape, as they are considered toxic to humans and pets if ingested. Certain species are also considered to be invasive in some regions; check with local authorities before planting. Arctotheca plants thrive in full sun, but can also tolerate partial shade. In general, they like to receive at least 6 hours of sunlight per day for optimal growth and flowering. Ensure that soil is well-draining and has a pH of between 6.0 and 8.0 (slightly acidic to slightly alkaline). If local soils do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plants after installing to suppress weed growth and increase soil moisture retention. Although drought tolerant once established, these plants will need regular waterings as they mature, and during especially hot or dry periods of the year. Fertilizing is not needed. Cape Weed can be mown like grass to keep them from getting too leggy. They can also be pruned back in late fall or early wintertime, when they will die back to the ground. Cover with mulch over the cooler months to insulate roots. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage more blooms to form and to prevent self-seeding. These perennial plants can last for a few years in the landscape before needing to be replaced.
Propagation
Arctotheca can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Arctic Daisy, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Arctotheca by Seed
Propagating Arctotheca by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost, gloves and other protective wear (to prevent skin contact) and pots (12 inch pots will do, and these are only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in spring or fall (after the plant has entered dormancy and been cut to the ground, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every four to five years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
Propagating Arctotheca by Seed
- Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. An ideal potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
- Water the prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place seeds about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with a spray bottle. Place the tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
- Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Propagating Arctotheca by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost, gloves and other protective wear (to prevent skin contact) and pots (12 inch pots will do, and these are only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in spring or fall (after the plant has entered dormancy and been cut to the ground, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every four to five years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
- Dawn your protective gear and gather your materials. Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the roots. Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
- Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments.
- Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions about an inch under the soil surface and water thoroughly.
- Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout.
Problems and Pests
Arctotheca, or Cape Weed, plants are susceptible to the following pests and diseases:
- Harlequin Bugs
- Thrips
- Weevils
- Aphids
- Slugs and Snails
- Root Rot
- Powdery Mildew
Gallery
These plants make great informal groundcovers for the outskirts of the garden.
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Arctotheca plants are a bit weedy - a few species are even considered invasive.
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Arctotheca populifolia colonizes beaches and is invasive in sandy areas, making it difficult for beach wildlife to nest and find food.
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Videos
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 166, Arctotheca calendula (Cape Weed)
