Gazania rigens

Gazania rigens

Gazanias are among the most rewarding annuals. Their native home is South Africa, where up to twenty-five species can be found. They form a ground-level rosette of lobed leaves. These are typically glossy, deep green on the upper side and felted, silvery-white on the underside. The flowers are large on longer stems. Gazanias bloom from July to August. The flowers are quite large, up to 12 cm, and can display white, orange, yellow or pink colors. They are highly decorative.

Gazanias are well-suited for mixed plantings, for example in combination with lobelias, dahlias, brachycome or Cape felicia, or with African daisy.

How to Grow Gazanias

• They need full sun and can even handle scorching heat. Without sufficient sunlight, the flowers won't open. They require moderate watering, rather minimal when grown in containers. Be careful not to overwater! The plants tolerate poorer and dry soil as well as insufficient watering. Remove spent flowers to encourage repeat blooming. Always water plants in the morning so the leaves can dry during the day. This prevents the spread of fungal diseases on the leaves.

• Sow seeds in March in a hotbed. They will germinate within seven to ten days. A standard planting substrate is suitable. Keep seedlings at a temperature of 18°C.

• An airy substrate with pH 5.5 to 6.5 that is rich in nutrients is suitable. When growing in containers, a drainage layer is essential.

• Apply fertilizer with watering - universal NPK fertilizers or fertilizers for flowering plants are suitable. Another option is to work in high-quality, well-decomposed compost when hoeing.

• In excessively humid conditions, plants rot, suffer from diseases and bloom very poorly. The most common diseases include powdery mildew and root rot.