African Daisy Growing Guide

Arctotis hybrids  (A. fastuosa x A. venusta)

Crop Rotation Group

Miscellaneous ●

Soil

Sandy, well-drained soil enriched with compost.

Position

Full sun.

Frost tolerant

No. Arctotis will grow as a perennial only in semi-tropical areas. In temperate climates it is grown as a summer annual.

Feeding

Drench with a liquid organic fertiliser when plants begin to bloom heavily.

Spacing

Single Plants: 30cm (11") each way (minimum)
Rows: 30cm (11") with 30cm (11") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Start seeds indoors and expect seeds to germinate after 7 to 10 days. Set plants out after the soil warms when they are 6 weeks old. Or, set out purchased bedding plants in spring. Young plants need water when they are actively growing, but require less attention once a good network of roots is established.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

African daisies have brightly coloured flowers with contrasting, often bluish, centres. The flowers close at night or during rainy weather. Most varieties have attractive gray-green foliage. African daisies are a great drought-tolerant flower for dry spots. A different flower, Osterospermum, also goes by the common name of African daisy, but it is not as drought tolerant as Arctotis.

Harvesting

Remove old flowers often to keep new buds coming.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect African Daisy

Aphids (General)

Slug

Snail