Characterized by large flowering heads that closely resemble those of sunflowers, gerbera daisies come in a vibrant rainbow of colors. Bright pink, snow white, sunny yellow and ruby red are just a few of the gorgeous colors that these happy flowers boast. Sending these gerbera daisies is the perfect way to brighten someone’s day.
The gerbera currently ranks as the fifth most popular flower in the world behind roses, carnations, chrysanthemums and tulips.
Gerbera is the name for a breed of colorful daisies, which also are known as gerber or transvaal daisies. They have satin-looking petals that surround a distinct center. A gerbera daisy bloom can measure as wide as four or five inches across, and the plant naturally grows low to the ground in a pile of lush green leaves.
The gerbera daisy was discovered in 1884 near Barberton, South Africa, by Scotsman Robert Jameson. Gerbera daisies are indigenous to South Africa, where they grow perennially.
Read also: A Tribute to Chad Hazard
Gerbera Daisy Meaning
The meaning stems from the general daisy family and stands for innocence and purity, as well as being a classic symbol of beauty. However, the gerbera variety holds an added meaning of cheerfulness, which is attributed to the numerous colors. They are believed to lessen everyday stressors.
The gerbera variety holds an added meaning of cheerfulness, which is attributed to their perky variety of colors. An assorted bouquet of gerbera daisies can quickly lift the spirit and are an ideal way to brighten someone’s day.
How to Grow Gerberas | Garden Ideas | Peter Seabrook
How to Grow Gerbera Daisies
Starting the growing process of your gerbera daisies is best in early spring. Gerbera daisies make for a wonderful plant in the garden or as a houseplant. You’ll always want to start with growing the seeds indoors and then transplanting them outside (if that’s your plan) in late spring or early summer. It’s also best to start growing the seeds indoors, then move the gerberas to grow outdoors. If you want to pot the gerbera daisies indoors, wait till they reach full maturity outdoors.
Germinating Gerbera Daisy Seeds
- The first step is to fill a seed tray with seed starting mix (soilless potting mix) which is ideal for germinating seeds.
- Once the tray is filled, mist water with a spray bottle to moisten each section of the tray.
- Now, use a pencil to poke a ¼ inch hole in the center of the soil in each section of the tray.
- Place a seed in each hole with the pointed end facing down and the top of the seed just below the soil line.
- Pack a little soil to cover the top of the seed.
- Then, water the seeds by misting with a spray bottle.
- Lastly, cover the tray with plastic wrap and place the tray somewhere bright for eight hours.
- Then set in an indirect sunny spot. Leave the plastic wrap on until the seeds have sprouted in two to three weeks.
Transplanting Gerbera Daisy Outdoors
- The first step is to make sure the daisies sprout with two sets of leaves, which can take 15-30 days.
- Once this happens, make sure that any potential frost threat has passed.
- Pick a place with bright morning sun and afternoon shade for the baby gerberas.
- Next, for the chosen location, amend the soil with compost.
- Now, use your hand to dig holes that are large enough for the gerbera’s root ball.
- The holes should be spaced about 12 to 18 inches apart.
- Place the baby gerberas into the soil by gently removing the seedlings from the trays and placing them into the holes.
- Cover the root balls with soil and pack firmly.
- Lastly, water the soil deeply and avoid getting the leaves wet.
Potting a Gerbera Daisy Indoors
- The first step is to pick out a large pot (at least 12 by 12 inches) with around five drainage holes.
- Now fill the container with a light potting mix (fertile and well-draining soil) and moisten the soil by misting water over the mix.
- Next, dig up the daisies from the garden by using a gardening shovel. Dig the soil around the roots. Once you feel the roots are loosened from the soil, shovel completely under the root ball and lift the flower.
- Set the flower next to the new home for the plant. Shovel a hole in the soil just big enough to fit the root ball of the flower. Place the plant into the hole, then cover and pack the roots with soil.
- Water the gerbera flowers deeply, then only water when the soil is dry (up to one inch deep) - test this with your finger.
- Lastly, place the pot where the plant will receive direct morning sun and afternoon shade.
Read also: Vibrant African Daisy Blooms
How to Care for a Gerbera Daisy Plant
Gerberas don’t need too much attention, as they’re quite sturdy plants! Follow our simple guide below to be the best plant parent to your gerbera daisies.
- Sunlight: Gerberas are huge fans of the sun. They prefer direct morning sun and afternoon shade. Unless you’re in temperatures of 80ºF and higher, allow the gerberas to receive more shade (at least two to three hours a day). If the gerbera is placed indoors, make sure to place next to a window.
- Water: Deeply water gerbera daisies exactly once a week. To deeply water, a general rule of thumb is to soak at least eight inches below the soil surface. This is beneficial for gerberas since their roots grow deep into the soil. During hot summers (85ºF or higher), you may want to water your gerberas twice a week.
- Temperature: Gerbera daisies thrive best in temperatures between 70ºF and 75ºF. Since the gerbera daisy is a frost-tender perennial they can tolerate temperatures as low as 30ºF, but any frost will cause damage. Ideal temperatures are between 40ºF and 70ºF.
- Toxicity: The plant is non-toxic to humans and animals, but it should be noted that ingesting any plant may cause gastrointestinal discomfort for animals.
Pests and Problems
- Pests: Gerbera daisies are susceptible to aphids, or plant lice, which are easily controlled with herbicides.
- Problems: The flowers are prone to developing grey mildew, especially when conditions are very damp. The leaves become covered with mildew, and it can infect the roots and stems, killing a crop. When the flowers are infected with mildew, they develop brown spots, which tend to expand after the flowers are picked. Flowers may be left to dry to ward of grey mildew. Greenhouses should be well aerated. Avoid getting the leaves wet when watering the plants to prevent mildew from developing.
Repotting and Propagation
- Repotting: To repot, pick one pot size larger than the current pot the gerbera is in. Make sure the pot has a drainage hole. Next, fill the pot with three inches of potting soil. Gerberas prefer average to rich soils with medium moist conditions (bonus if you add soil amendments). Now, with the daisy stem between your fingers, lay your hand on top of the soil and turn the pot upside down. Remove the excess soil from the root ball gently. Trim off any rotten or dead roots and place them into the new pot. Add or remove soil so that the top of the gerbera root system sits one inch under the rim of the new pot. Fill the empty spots with soil mixture. Lastly, water the gerbera daisy until droplets are seen from the pot bottom.
- Propagation: The easiest way to propagate a gerbera daisy is by using seeds. We recommend this for best results, especially if you’re new to growing flowers. Follow our section on “How to Grow Gerbera Daisies” above.
Common Gerbera Daisy Questions
Have a question about your gerbera daisy plant? Check out these frequently asked questions and find your answer. If you don’t see your inquiry, feel free to post it in the comment section below.
How long do gerbera daisies last?
Gerbera daisies can live two to three years with proper care. To guarantee a longer life, repot the gerbera daisy once a year. Their blooms last for several weeks once they appear.
Do gerbera daisies spread?
Usually, gerbera daisies will spread quickly (once mature) about one to two feet, while still staying in a tight crown. If you plant more, give the original plant space (12-18 inches).
Do gerbera daisies close at night?
Gerbera daisies close at night in order to save energy for the next day. Once the sun is shining again, they reopen their blossoms. They also close in stormy weather to protect themselves.
Read also: African Daisy Guide
Do gerbera daisies rebloom?
The gerbera will rebloom every year in the springtime. It is more likely to rebloom when planted outdoors rather than in a pot indoors.
Gerbera Jamesonii: Description, History & Interesting Facts
Gerbera jamesonii is a South African plant which is renowned around the world for its beautiful flowers in an array of bold and pastel shades. It grows wild only in the eastern part of Mpumalanga and the southern part of the Limpopo Province; occurring in grasslands and on rocky slopes; on sandy well drained soil; in full sun or semi-shade.
Its common name arose from the old gold-rush town of Barberton, where it grows in great profusion. The genus name Gerbera was given in honour of the German naturalist Traugott Gerber, and the species was named after Robert Jameson who first described it and collected live specimens while on a prospecting expedition to the Barberton district in 1884.
The flag and coat of arms of the Province of Mpumalanga include a depiction of this flower.
This perennial herb has deeply lobed leaves which sprout directly from the rootstock and are covered with silky hairs. The blooms are borne on long stalks and are available as singles or doubles, and come in an amazing array of colours; from red to orange; pink, yellow and white.
In the garden flowering occurs in spring and autumn, but for the florists trade these beauties are cultivated year round. Hairy seed clusters follow the flowers and are distributed by wind. Gerbera jamesonii grows +-45 to 55cm tall, but hybrids vary greatly in height.
In 1888, Medley Wood, the curator of the Durban Botanical Garden sent plants to Kew. The breeding of Gerbera started at the end of the 19th century in Cambridge, England, when Richard Lynch crossed Gerbera jamesonii and Gerbera viridifolia.
Hundreds of Hybrid Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii x Hybrid) have been bred over the years and most of the current commercially grown varieties originate from this cross. Hybrid Gerberas are sold worldwide as cut flowers and indoor pot plants, but can also be grown outdoors in garden beds and pots.
In the Garden & Home
Barberton daisies are one of the most popular ornamental flowers in the world, both as a garden plant and an indoor or patio pot plant. These perennials are wonderful in flower beds and make excellent edging or border plants. They require minimal maintenance once established; and because they are deep rooted, are valuable plants to use for mass plantings to prevent soil erosion.
They are also excellent rockery plants; and the flowers will attract bees, butterflies and other insects to your garden. Hybrid Gerberas are captivating additions to any garden with their large, daisy-like blooms that come in a spectrum of colours, and their easy to care for nature.
Incorporating Hybrid Gerberas into your garden will quickly infuse your space with colour, and they come in a wide range of colours from whites, to pastels, and in very bright colours. Those with blue tones, for instance cerise or purple, are always a bit more fragile and more difficult to grow.
Plant them into pots outdoors or use them in the mixed flower border, or as a pretty edging plant.
Hybrid gerberas are regarded as an upmarket cut flower that can be used as a single stem, or added to bouquets and arrangements to make a classy yet economical statement as they use up lots of space. They should be cut a day or two before they are to be displayed, because the flowers tend to close up the night after they are cut.
To make the flowers last longer you should dip the ends of their stems in boiling water after cutting, before plunging them in deep, cold water.
Cultivation
If grown in the right conditions, Barberton daisies will flower for many months through summer and into autumn; and if their needs are met they do not require a lot of care. They thrive in the summer rainfall regions; performing best in climates with warm summer days and cool nights.
Although they grow best in sheltered, frost-free positions, they will tolerate some frost if the roots are well mulched in winter. Barberton daisies are suitable for coastal regions but do not like high humidity.
The soil should be extremely well drained, and mixed with plenty of organic material. In the winter rainfall regions they will require regular summer watering and extremely well drained soil. In areas with less than perfect drainage it would be wise to grow them in containers, or raised beds 15 to 30 cm above ground level.
The plants can be planted in full sun to semi-shade; and in extremely hot regions some midday or afternoon shade would be appreciated. Although the plants are wind tolerant, they will look at their best in a wind protected area of the garden.
They perform best if watered moderately but regularly in summer; and respond well to regular fertilising during the growing season, to promote flowering. Remove dead flowers regularly to encourage further flowering.
Although it resents disturbance, after two or three years, when the plant has about six crowns and becomes overcrowded, it can be lifted for division and replanting. This is usually done in spring by gently digging up the clumps and removing the soil from around the roots by gently shaking them or by washing with water.
Cut away any damaged roots, and carefully disentangle the crowns, pulling them apart. When dividing the clumps, throw away the old woody central parts and keep only the younger divisions to replant. Cut off all the old leaves to reduce the demand on the roots for nourishment; and replant in a fresh bed, ensuring that the crown of each plant is just visible above the surface of the soil.
How to Grow Hybrid Gerbera Daisies Indoors
Gerberas are great for indoor growing, and a genius way to add cheerful beauty among all your other leafy-green houseplants. If you buy gerbera daisies to grow inside they'll already be blooming or just about to start.
Set them near a sunny window where they will receive bright, indirect sunlight - the brighter the light, the more blooms you'll get. Direct sunlight will just be too intense and will burn your plant.
Fungus gnats and fungal diseases can be a problem with gerberas, so it is essential that they good air circulation around their leaves. New plants will not need repotting, but after they have outgrown their pot you can repot them once they stop blooming.
Choose a pot that's no more than ⅓ larger than the root ball of your new plant. Make sure it has holes for drainage, too, and the soil is fertile but loose and very well drained. To avoid overwatering, wait until the top 2cm of soil is dry before watering.
Gerbera daisies will produce more flowers if you feed them regularly, and you can use any good fertiliser for flowering plants. Just be sure to follow directions and don’t overfeed!
Gerbera daisies will keep growing and blooming best if you deadhead them regularly. As soon as the flowers have faded and shrivelled, cut the stalks back to the base of the plant. Keep your plant tidy by removing old, dried up, or damaged leaves whenever you see them.
Propagation
Barberton daisies are grown from seed sown in spring and summer and from division of the clumps, known as stools, in spring. Named hybrids can be propagated only by division, as seed from them will not breed true.
Seed must be planted within two months of collection; and sown in soil temperatures of about 20 to 25°C. Use a sowing mix of one part river sand to one part loam, and if desired, one part vermiculite.
Firm the mixture down well, sprinkle the seeds over the surface, and press them in gently. If you use a seed tray, cover it with a sheet of plastic or glass, with a sheet or two of newspaper on top, and put it in a warm position out of direct sunlight, until germination.
When the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into small pots, and transplant them into the garden when they have reached a height of 15 to 20 cm; spacing them about 50cm apart. The plants may still flower in their first season but will take 12 months to develop one or two crowns.
Seed can be started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date to plant out after all danger of frost is over.
Problems, Pests & Diseases
Root rot will occur if the crowns are buried or drainage is poor. Gerbera are also prone to some viral, bacterial and fungal diseases; but if grown correctly this should not be a major problem.
Watch out for thrips, aphids, mealy bug, leaf miners, spider mites and whiteflies.
Additional Tips
- Good soil drainage is important for growing gerberas because excessive moisture can lead to crown disease and root rot. If the soil does not have good drainage, consider growing the gerberas in containers or raised beds. Gerberas also like soil enriched with compost.
- Plant gerbera daisies in the spring after the danger of frost has passed. Space them 12 to 18 inches apart, with the crown of the plant at or slightly above the soil level. When watering, avoid overhead irrigation to prevent the spread of foliar diseases. The crown should be allowed to dry out between waterings to reduce the risk of crown and root rots.
- Mulch around the plants with a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic matter, such as pine straw or pine bark, to conserve soil moisture and reduce weed growth. Mulching helps reduce the need for mechanical and chemical weed control.
- Deadhead spent blooms, removing their stems to the next stem, bud, or leaf to promote additional flowering. Fertilizing gerbera daisies is important to produce the best-looking plants.
- Common pests on gerbera daisies include whiteflies, aphids, thrips, and spider mites. Neem oil or insecticidal soap sprays will aid in controlling these pests. Do not use neem oil or insecticidal soap sprays when the temperature is above 90 °F or in full sun, as this may damage the plants. Spraying in the late evening is better than spraying in the morning to protect pollinating insects. Always follow the directions on the label.
- Overly moist soils can lead to stem and root rot. Gray mold, powdery mildew, and anthracnose are the most common causes of stem and root rots. Allow the soil to slightly dry out in between waterings to help avoid disease problems.
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