Gerbera

( JERB - er - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly called Transvaal Daisy or Gerber Daisy, this genus includes species of flowering tender perennials that are often grown as annuals. They need partial shade in the warmest climates of their zone range, but otherwise enjoy full sun. These happy flowers are native to South Africa and form clumps of leaves that send up 1.5-feet tall stems topped with a 4-5 inch flower. Bloom colors include cream, yellow, coral, orange, and red. They bloom throughout the year. Use Gerber Daisies in mixed beds and borders, in containers or raised beds, as members of cut flower gardens, or simply to add pops of color throughout the landscape.

Gerbera species and varietals

The genus Gerbera is a member of the plant family Asteraceae and includes 22 species. They grow best in USDA hardiness zones 8-11 or Sunset growing zones 8, 9. 12-24, H1 and H2. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Gerbera ambigua (Botterblom, Griekwateebossie, Moarubetso, Ucabazane, Pink and White Gerbera)
This species is native to south Africa and produces daisy-form white, pink, or yellow flowers from basal rosettes of wide green leaves. These flowers bloom from September through February in the plant's native range. Individual plants in this species reach up to between 12 and 16 inches tall when in bloom.

Gerbera aurantica (Hilton Daisy)
This rare species is a grassland wildflower native to South Africa. Flowers are bright red to yellow with darker (almost black) centers. The species is considered endangered in its native range due to habitat loss. These flowers reach up to 18 inches tall when in bloom.

Gerbera spp. Hybrids (Hybrid Gerber Daisy, Hybrid Gerbera, Hybrid Transvaal Daisy)
This group includes plants that have been bred for their flower composition or color and do well in garden cultivation.

'Amgerbcar'

'Amgerbpink'

'Amgerbwhi'

'Apricot'

'Bicolor Red Lemon'

'Deep Pink Cupid'

'Everglades'

'Everlast'

'Frosted Hot Pink'

'Golden Yellow'

'Green Kermit'

'Neon Rose'

'Orange Capraia'

'Orange Palmaria'

'Pink and White Linosa'

'Pink Kimsey'

'Pink Whisper'

'Red Suri'

'Redwood'

'Sweet Dreams'

'Sweet Glow'

'Sweet Memories'

'Yellow Lampione'

'Yellowstone'

Gerbera jamesonii (Barberton Daisy, Transvaal Daisy, Barbertonse Madeliefie, Rooigousblom, Veldt Daisy)
This species is very commonly grown worldwide, and was named to honor Robert Jameson, who first collected the plant near Barberton, South Africa. Flowering scapes are naked, and topped with blooms in colors that vary from white to yellow to orange and red. These plants reach up to 12-18 inches tall when in bloom.

Caring for Gerbera

Plant Gerbera in a space in the garden that receives full sun. They will flower best when they get between 6 and 8 hours of sun during the day, and in the warmest climates do appreciate some late afternoon shade. They prefer to be planted in soil that is well-draining with moderate fertility and a pH of between 5.5 and 6.5. If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Mulch around the base of plants to increase soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth, and to maintain consistent soil temperatures. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system. At maturity, these plants can get by on about an inch of water each week.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with a application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Pruning Gerber Daisy plants is simple: remove spent blooms and any damaged or discolored foliage. These plants bounce back well from pruning. In cold-weather areas, these flowers may need to be replaced each year (used as annuals), but in temperate zones, they are considered tender perennials and can be left in the ground to bloom year after year.

Harvesting Gerbera
Gerbera, or Transvaal Daisies, make beautiful cut flowers, adding charm and whimsy to arrangments. They combine well with many different types of flowers. Harvest Gerbera when they are fully opened. The best time to harvest is in the early morning or late evening when temperatures are at their coolest. Cut flower stems at their base using sharp, clean shears or snips, remove the lower leaves from the stem, and drop them in a bucket of cool water. The vase life of Gerber Daisy fresh cut flowers is 7-14 days.

Propagation

Gerbera, or Transvaal Daisy, can be propagated by dividing plants, 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 or division 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 Gerber Daisies, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Gerbera 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 the plant that you'd like 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 side shoot and strip foliage 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. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your 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 shrub.

Propagating Gerbera 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. The seed heads on Gerbera plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after the flowers have faded. Once they have dried out, the seeds can be collected. Cut the seed heads from 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. Once all seeds have been released, remove them from the bag to work with them.
Water the prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place seeds in the prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your 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 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 Gerbera 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 early springtime. 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 with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into two or more segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section and healthy above-ground growth.
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.