Gazania

( gah - ZAY - nee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of perennial and annual flowering plants, commonly called African Daisy, includes species which need moderate to regular water to perform well in the garden. Sun exposure needs vary by species. They are native to South Africa, and are low, spreading plants. They are ideal for coastal gardens and can also tolerate some inland heat. These plants produce large, daisy-like flowerheads in bright shades of yellow and orange over a long period during the summertime, and are often planted en masse for a drought-tolerant groundcover.

Gazania Species and Varietals

The genus Gazania is a member of the plant family Asteraceae and includes about 18 species. The best growing species for Gazania vary depending on the species. For more information, see the following descriptions. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Gazania spp. Hybrids (Hybrid Gazania, Garden Gazania)
These plants are best when grown in USDA hardiness zones 8-11 or Sunset growing zones 8-24, H1 and H2 as perennial plants. In cooler climates, they will need overwintering via cuttings brought indoors. Their peak blooming season is mid-spring to early summer, when they will produce profuse flowers. They will bloom intermittently throughout the rest of the year. These species require full sun, and have varying habits. Clumping types form an evergreen mound foliage that is green on top and fuzzy grey underneath. Stems reach 6-10 inches tall and flowers come in yellow, orange, white, and rose-pink. Petal undersides are maroon. Flowers are often dark-centered. Use these clumping species for edging along pathways, in masse in parking strips, and in rock gardens. Trailing varieties are rapid spreaders, and have silver-grey foliage. Flowers come in yellow, white, orange, and bronze. These varieties are useful on top of walls, where their stems can beautifully spill over. They are also great for hanging baskets, as well as bank or groundcovers. These flowers are highly invasive in Australia, California, New Zealand, and the Mediterranean.

'Aztec Orange'

'Aztec Queen'

'Big Kiss Yellow Flame'

'Big Kiss White Flame'

'Burgundy'

'Christopher Lloyd'

'Copper King'

'Daybreak Bright Orange'

'Daybreak Red Stripe'

'Dorothy'

'Fiesta Red'

'Kiss Rose'

'Mini Star White'

'Mitzuwa Yellow'

'Moonglow'

'New Day Clear Orange'

'New Day Red Shades'

'Northbourne'

'Sunburst Orange'

'Sunburst White'

'Sun Gold'

'Sunrise Yellow'

'Talent Series'

Gazania krebsiana (Terracotta Gazania, Terracotta African Daisy, Rooi Gazania, Gousblom, Bruingousblom, Botterblom, Kreb's African Daisy)
This species grows best in USDA hardiness zones 6-10 or Sunset growing zones 3 and 7-24. Grows to reach 6 inches tall and 1 foot wide at maturity. Leaves are dark green on top and silver underneath. in cold weather, foliage will tint purple. Flowers are orange-red with central disks of orange or dark yellow The base of each petal is black and green with a single white spot. Blooms spring through fall. Reseeds freely. Likes to be in full sun. Popular cultivars include 'Tanager', 'Scarlet Tanager', and 'Hantamberg Orange'. This species is considered invasive in Australia.

Gazania linearis (Treasureflower, Narrow-Leaved Treasureflower, Tufted Gazania)
This species grows best in USDA hardiness zones 5-9 or Sunset growing zones 2-9 and 14-19 and is a hardy perennial for cold winter areas. Reaches up to 4 inches tall and 15 inches wide. Leaves are strap-like and dark green on top, wooly white underneath. Flowers are bright yellow and it can take full sun or partial shade. Reseeds freely. Variety 'Colorado Gold' is a great garden selection. This species is considered a major environmental weed in Australia, California, New Zealand, and areas of North Africa.

Gazania maratima (Western Beach Gazania, Treasure Flower, African Daisy)
This species is native to South Africa, and has a spreading habit. They grow well in USDA hardiness zones 8-11. Leaves are pinnate or whole, and flower heads are typically yellow. Ray undersides are striped with darker colors. Individual plants in this species reach up to 6-12 inches tall and 1 foot or more wide.

Gazania pectinata (Cockscomb Gazania, Botterblom, Kaapse Rooi Gousblom)
This annual (sometimes perennial) species is native to low-lying regions and coastal plains in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. It grows well in USDA hardiness zones 8-11. Flowers are yellow to orange and are typically black or brown-spotted. Leaves are long and slender, with smooth upper surfaces and lower smooth surfaces. This species is considered invasive in Australia.

Gazania rigens (Gazania splendens) (Treasure Flower, Coastal Gazania)
This species is native to coast southern Africa, and is cultivated worldwide as an ornamental garden plant. It has a spreading, low-growing habit, reaching 20 inches tall when mature. Foliage is blue-grey and flowers are yellow. Coastal Gazania grows well in USDA hardiness zones 9-11. This species is highly invasive in Australia, California, New Zealand, North Africa, and some regions of southern Europe.

Gazania rigida (Karoo Gazania, Karoogazania)
These plants produce flowers that range in color from yellow to reddish-orange, and have brown to black patches of color at petal bases. Leaf undersides are hairy. Plants reach about 8-10 inches tall when mature. This species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 8-11.

Caring for Gazania

Gazania flowers are commonly grown from seed, but can also be purchased as specimens from a reputable nursery. Grow these plants in a spot in the garden that receives full sun exposure; between 6 and 8 hours of direct sun each day will result in the best foliage, growth, and blooms. Gazanias will adapt to most soil types, but growth is best in fertile soil amended with organic matter. For best growth and bloom, amend soil around the plant site before setting the plant in with plenty of compost and/or other organic material. They do well with a soil pH of between 5.5 and 7.5 (acidic to neutral). Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they form a strong root system. At maturity, Gazanias are considered to be drought tolerant, able to get by on rainwater alone for most of the year with supplemental waterings during extended periods of drought. Allow soil to fully dry out between waterings; these flowers are naturally adapted to dry, sandy soils with fast drainage.

Feed with a dressing of organic compost each year in early springtime, adding some to the area before planting and working it into the soil. Prune regularly to remove dead, damaged, or diseased sections and spent blooms. This will encourage more flowers to form. In early springtime before growth begins for the year, cut back the entire plant by 1/3 to 1/2 its height. When these plants are grown in a cramped space (or container), they should be divided every few years to clean up the look of plants and ensure ongoing health. Divide plants yearly in late fall or early spring, tossing dead sections into the compost bin and replanting the younger portions. For instructions on how to successfully divide Gazania plants, see the Propagation section below. Gazanias are perennial plants, able to last up to 3-5 years in the garden before needing to be replaced. They form clumps over time in ideal growing conditions which can be divided and replanted elsewhere, providing plants indefinitely.

Growing Gazania In Containers
Gazanias grow wonderfully in the ground, but can also be cultivated in containers on patios or walkways. Choose a pot with adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow excess water to flow away from the root zone. Use a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite. Apply a layer of mulch on top to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they form a strong root system. At maturity, Gazanias are considered to be drought tolerant, able to get by on rainwater alone for most of the year with supplemental waterings during extended periods of drought. Allow soil to fully dry out between waterings; these flowers are naturally adapted to dry, sandy soils with fast drainage. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season, and deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms to form. Divide plants when they begin to perform poorly. For instructions on how to successfully divide Gazania plants, see the Propagation section below.

Propagation

Gazania can be propagated by division, cutting or seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting or division methods. Also note that some Gazania cultivars are sterile, and will not produce viable seeds. To propagate your Gazania flowers, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Gazania by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant, and that not all cultivars will even produce seeds. To propagate by seed, you will need a container, a pot or tray, potting medium, and 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. Gazania seeds are held in seed heads which are brown, present atop stems after flowers have faded. Collect seeds and place them in a container during harvesting to avoid losing them.
Get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them lightly with soil and water with a spray bottle. Place the sown 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 10 to 21 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. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of a 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. Keep your seedling in an area with bright light and temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when the seedling can be hardened off and then planted outdoors.

Propagating Gazania 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 late summer or early fall, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that the plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances the cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6-8 inch softwood or semi-hardwood portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. It should be kept in warm, sunny conditions in a protected area. Water whenever the soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, the cutting should be rooted. New growth indicates the formation of roots.
Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when the seedling can be hardened off and then planted outdoors.

Propagating Gazania by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost, and pots (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 few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

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. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section. Remove any dead roots at this time.
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 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.

Gazania flowers fade to reveal seed heads packed with small seeds.

Gazania seeds are small and typically tan to dark brown in color.

Problems and Pests

Certain species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Gazania plants can be susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the garden: