Gerbera
Treat a gift gerbera as a pot plant that holidays outdoors in summer; in the UK it will not survive a winter in the ground.
Care
Full sun outdoors in summer; indoors, the brightest windowsill you have.
Medium — water around the edge of the pot, not into the crown, and let the top of the compost dry between waterings.
Free-draining compost; a crown sitting in wet compost rots quickly.
Pull spent flower stems out from the base rather than cutting them, and remove old yellowing leaves.
A high-potash liquid feed every two weeks while in flower. Stop in winter.
Division of large clumps in spring is the realistic home method. Seed must be very fresh and the seedlings vary.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- MayMove pots outdoors to a sunny spot once nights stay above 10°C. how ›
- JulyPull out faded flower stems at the base to keep new buds coming. how ›
- SeptemberBring pots back indoors before nights turn cold. how ›
- DecemberKeep on the dry side in winter in a bright, cool room. how ›
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- AprilMove pots outdoors to a sunny spot once nights stay above 10°C. how ›
- JulyPull out faded flower stems at the base to keep new buds coming. how ›
- SeptemberBring pots back indoors before nights turn cold. how ›
- DecemberKeep on the dry side in winter in a bright, cool room. how ›
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- AprilMove pots outdoors to a sunny spot once nights stay above 10°C. how ›
- JulyPull out faded flower stems at the base to keep new buds coming. how ›
- OctoberBring pots back indoors before nights turn cold. how ›
- DecemberKeep on the dry side in winter in a bright, cool room. how ›
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchMove pots outdoors to a sunny spot once nights stay above 10°C. how ›
- JulyPull out faded flower stems at the base to keep new buds coming. how ›
- OctoberBring pots back indoors before nights turn cold. how ›
- DecemberKeep on the dry side in winter in a bright, cool room. how ›
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Leaves collapse from the centre and the crown turns soft and brown.
What to do. Caused by water sitting in the crown or wet compost; plant with the crown slightly proud and water around it.
How to spot it. White coating on leaves, especially indoors.
What to do. Improve air circulation and avoid wetting leaves.
How to spot it. Tiny white insects rising when disturbed, or clusters on buds.
What to do. Yellow sticky traps indoors; wash off aphids.
Questions
Gerbera: is it hardy?
H1c: Tender, needs above 5°C. It survives above 5 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Yes — usually grown in pots so it can come indoors for winter.
Gerbera: when do you prune it?
Pull spent flower stems out from the base rather than cutting them, and remove old yellowing leaves.
Gerbera: 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 while in flower. Stop in winter. Feeding months, UK: April–September.