Characteristics and care of the African Daisy

Cultivation of the African daisy

Also known as Arctotis, the African daisy is native to South Africa, where the soil is dry, stony and sandy; even so the plant is perennial.

Although it is true that in its natural environment its foliage is maintained throughout the year, in other regions the African daisy is grown annually; Furthermore, its ornamental flower is ideal for places where the land is arid, it keeps very well in areas adjacent to the sea and it is normal to see it in flower beds, flowerpots and small gardens.

Cultivation of the African daisy

the African daisy is native to South Africa

Recommended before anything else prepare the soil where they will be plantedYou can do this by raking and applying some sand so that it resembles the conditions of its natural environment for two things, one is that it makes the earth heat up faster and two it lightens it.

The seeds you can sow them using a sufficiently spacious seedbed so that the plants are not mistreated when it is time to transplant. Bury the seeds protecting them from sunlight, do it in mid-spring and try to keep the temperature between 20º and 22º, the earth should be just damp and if all this is done correctly, germination should take place in about 20 days.

When transplanting, try to place each African daisy with at least 30 centimeters of separation between themWait for the temperature to stabilize to make the change from the seedbed to the garden soil or pot.

Once the plant reaches 10 centimeters, proceed to prune them so that it grows more robust, dense and strong.

It is recommended that the substrate where the plant is to be planted be rather light and with good drainage, for which it would be good to add a part of coarse sand and peat to the soil; so once the African daisy grasps the roots well will be ready to tolerate one or another extreme situation, like a temporary drought, for example.

African daisy care

The plant is damaged if the soil is extremely humid, do not forget that is used to arid soils, with neutral or acidic pH, fertile or not very fertileIn short, under unfavorable conditions it is more likely to thrive than when there is too much humidity.

Has the ability to tolerate temperatures down to -7º CelsiusIf it has been grown in a pot, protect it from lower temperatures by protecting it from the cold or if it is found in the garden, keep it with abundant dead leaves covering it.

Make sure your plant gets the sun, if it is direct much better since this favors flowering and keep it out of the reach of icy winds.

Apply a moderate watering to promote floweringDo it twice a week at most, unless the weather is hot, in any case check that the substrate remains slightly damp.

Add fertilizer for flower plants, every 15 days.

Pruning is recommended before winter and when the plants are sheltered at or after low temperatures, always remove dead flowers so that new ones are born.

Characteristics of the African daisy

Characteristics of the African daisy

The African daisy grows to approximately 60 centimeters, its stem stands upright and as its leaves are soft in texture, the plant tends to expand sideways, covering the surface as if it were a flowered carpet.

Its flowers are large and showy, usually very light yellow above that changes to reddish on the opposite side, the center of the flower is black, however, it is possible to see a wide variety of colors in those that are hybrids.

Its foliage is of a shade that resembles gray with some kind of soft fluff on the reverse; once the plant reaches its maximum height, it begins to expand to the sides and can cover surfaces of up to 2 meters around it.


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  1.   Jose Luis Augusto Murgas said

    They are very beautiful flowers, I grow them but I lack colors, I have white and purple. I did not know the name but today I found your video. GREETINGS Curico Chile.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Enjoy them.