Arctotis

( ark - TOE - tiss )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly called African Daisy, this genus includes species of flowering annuals and perennials that need full sun and moderate water to perform well in the garden. Green-grey leaves are lobed and wooly, and brightly-colored flowers usually have a contrasting circle of color around their central eye. Flowers tend to close up in the late afternoon and in dull weather in response to lower light conditions. Use these flowers to add color and contrast to mixed beds and borders, in drought-tolerant landscaping, or as informal groundcover. Take care when planting these flowers in the garden, as some species are considered invasive in certain regions of the world.

Arctotis Species and Varietals

The genus Arctotis is a member of the plant family Asteraceae, and includes just under 70 species. These flowers grow in all zones with a few exceptions. For more information, see the species descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Arctotis acaulis (Flat African Daisy)
This perennial grows best in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 or Sunset growing zones 5-9 and 14-24. The specific epithet 'aucaulis' refers to the fact that the flowers produced are apparently stemless. Velvety, gray-green leaves form a base clump of foliage with a spreading habit to 1 foot tall. Yellow flowers have purple-black centers. Cultivar 'Big Magenta' (pictured) has purple-red flowers.

Arctotis arctotoides (Butterflower, Botterblom, Putswa-Pududu, Ubushwa, Isigwamba)
This species is native to Lesotho, Namibia, and South Africa and produces small yellow-orange flowers. It is used in many locations around the globe as a fast-growing groundcover. Foliage is soft and herbaceous, and flowers last for a few days. Best in USDA hardiness zones 9-11. Considered invasive in California and Australia.

Arctotis breviscapa (Sandveld African Daisy)
Annual with brown-centered orange-yellow flowers. Foliage is green to greyish-green and herbaceous. This is a widespread species which is still quite common in its native range despite catastrophic habitat destruction. They typically grow in disturbed soils, often becoming a dominant species. Best in USDA zones 9-11.

Arctotis fastuosa (Venidium fastuosum) (Monarch-of-the-Veld, Venidium, Namaqualand Daisy)
Annual plant with a bushy growing habit to 2 feet tall and 1.5 feet wide. Gray green leaves are slightly hairy, and flowers are white with a yellow ring around a deep blue eye. Variety 'Zulu Prince' has an inner ring of yellow and purple surrounds a black eye. This species has naturalized in California and does well in USDA hardiness zones 9-11. Considered invasive in Southern California.

Arctotis hirsuta (Namaqua Marigold, Gousblom, Namakwagousblom, Hairy African Daisy)
These flowers grow naturally on sandy or rocky slopes in South Africa, and bloom in springtime in large numbers. Flowers can be orange, cream-colored, or yellow. Individual plants can reach up to about 18 inches tall when mature and in bloom. It is a somewhat fleshy plant with branching stems and green foliage, and does well in USDA hardiness zones 9-11.

Arctotis spp. Hybrids (Hybrid African Daisy)
Most African Daisies sold in commercial nurseries are hybrids, and grow to 1.5 tall and wide. Flowers come in white, purple, pink, red, cream, yellow, and orange and often have dark centers around a central black eye. These varieties will self-sow but offspring will most likely revert to their original orange flower color. These plants can survive as perennials in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 or Sunset growing zones 7-9 and 14-24.

Arctotis stoechadifolia (African Daisy, White Arctotis)
This rare species is only found among dry sand dunes along the west coast of Cape Province. Leaves are grey-green and covered with wooly hairs, and creamy white flowers bloom in spring and summertime. These plants spread by seed and root at stem nods, becoming invasive in some areas (mainly California and Australia). Best in USDA hardiness zones 9, 10 and 11. Considered invasive in coastal, sandy areas of California and Australia.

Arctotis venusta (Silver Arctotis, Kusgousblom, Blue-Eyed African Daisy)
This species has naturalized itself in many areas in the United States, including California, and has escaped garden to become a noxious weed in these areas. It serves as a wonderful groundcover, is adaptable to many climates, and is sometimes used to control erosion. Best in USDA hardiness zones 9-11. This species is considered invasive in certain regions like California and Australia.

Caring for Arctotis

Take care when planting these flowers in the garden, as some species are considered invasive in certain regions of the world. Plant your Arctotis in full sun exposure; they should be receiving at least 6-8 hours of direct sun each day. These flowers should be set out in cold-winter areas in springtime for a summer bloom. In areas with milder winters, plant flowers in fall or winter for bloom from spring to early summer. Ensure that soil has great drainage before planting to avoid issues with root rot. If local soils are particularly poor, make sure to amend the planting site with plenty of organic material or compost before planting to give plants a good start at growth and increase drainage capability. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plant after installation, ensuring that mulch stays at least a few inches away from the stems. This will increase soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth, and maintain a constant soil temperature.

Although these plants are drought-tolerant once mature, they will need regular waterings during their growing season and as they are getting established. Arctotis flowers prefer warm climates, though these plants will suffer in extreme heat and humidity. They will also need protection in areas that have frost conditions; provide protection from freezing temperatures to avoid damage. Fertilize the area around the base of these plants yearly in early springtime to provide nutrients for the growing season, pulling back mulch to apply it and then replacing it once the feeding is complete. Deadhead faded flowers to encourage more blooms to form, and trim back leggy or unwanted growth to maintain a neat appearance.

Growing Arctotis in Containers
Arctotis flowers can do very well in containers. Choose a pot with adequate drainage holes that is about two inches larger in diameter and depth than the root ball or nursery pot. Fill with potting mix amended with perlite or organic matter to improve drainage and nutrient load. Fill in around the outside of the root ball, allowing soil to settle but not packing it down. Apply a layer of mulch on top to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. These flowers can do well with a pebble or rock mulch, as well. Water regularly; Arctotis flowers planted in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those in the ground.

Propagation

Arctotis 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 plant, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Arctotis by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings 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.
In spring or early summertime, choose a plant to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in the planting medium by pushing a pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in the pot. Fill in soil around the cutting enough to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. The pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever the soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, the cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
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, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new plant.

Propagating Arctotis 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. The best 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.
Harvest your seeds. Once seed heads have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will begin to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container to work with them.
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 to avoid dislodging them. 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 7-21 days from sowing. Once 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.

Arctotis seeds have removable chaff parts that allow the seed to float through the air away from the parent plant.

Arctotis seeds are small and can be light brown, tan or greyish in color.

Problems and Pests

Take care when planting these flowers in the garden, as some species are considered invasive in certain regions of the world, especially in Mediterranean climates. Arctotis plants are generally pest and disease free, but occasionally will suffer from the following common garden issues if conditions are right: