African daisy
Plant into free-draining soil in full sun after the last frost, and pinch the young plant once — an unpinched osteospermum goes leggy early and never recovers a good shape.
Care
Full sun — the flowers close in shade and on dull days, which is normal behaviour rather than a problem.
Low-medium — let the compost dry a little between waterings; it is far more tolerant of dry than of wet.
Free-draining, moderately fertile soil or peat-free container compost with added grit.
Deadhead continuously — this is what keeps it flowering into autumn. Pinch the young plant once to make it branch, and trim it back lightly if it becomes leggy in midsummer.
A high-potash liquid feed every two weeks through the flowering season, or slow-release granules at planting. Nitrogen-rich feeds give a large leafy plant with disappointingly few daisies.
Semi-ripe cuttings in late summer, kept frost-free and on the dry side over winter — this is how named colour forms are carried through, since they are half-hardy at best and often lost outdoors.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- MayPlant out after the last frost, in the sunniest spot available. how ›
- JuneDeadhead regularly — the single most useful job for this plant. how ›
- AugustTake cuttings now if you want to keep a particular colour. how ›
- OctoberBring pots under cover, or accept the plant as a one-season bedder. how ›
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- AprilPlant out after the last frost, in the sunniest spot available. how ›
- JuneDeadhead regularly — the single most useful job for this plant. how ›
- AugustTake cuttings now if you want to keep a particular colour. how ›
- OctoberBring pots under cover, or accept the plant as a one-season bedder. how ›
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- AprilPlant out after the last frost, in the sunniest spot available. how ›
- MayDeadhead regularly — the single most useful job for this plant. how ›
- AugustTake cuttings now if you want to keep a particular colour. how ›
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchPlant out after the last frost, in the sunniest spot available. how ›
- MayDeadhead regularly — the single most useful job for this plant. how ›
- AugustTake cuttings now if you want to keep a particular colour. how ›
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Blooms shut in dull weather and in shade.
What to do. Normal for the genus — but in permanent shade it will barely open at all, so move it into full sun.
How to spot it. Long bare stems with flowers only at the tips.
What to do. Pinch young plants and trim back in midsummer; feed with potash, not nitrogen.
How to spot it. Plants fail outdoors after a cold, wet winter.
What to do. Expect this — take cuttings in late summer as insurance.
Popular varieties
Questions
African daisy: is it hardy?
H3: Half hardy. It survives down to −5 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Yes — a pot in full sun, with sharp drainage, suits it better than a border on heavy soil.
African daisy: when do you prune it?
Deadhead continuously — this is what keeps it flowering into autumn.
African daisy: when does it flower?
In the climate of UK it flowers in May–September.
When do you feed it?
A high-potash liquid feed every two weeks through the flowering season, or slow-release granules at planting. Nitrogen-rich feeds give a large leafy plant with disappointingly few daisies. Feeding months, UK: May–August.