Gazania
A South African daisy with large, boldly striped flowers that open in sunshine and close on cloudy days and at night.
On this pageOverview
Meet Gazania
A South African daisy with large, boldly striped flowers that open in sunshine and close on cloudy days and at night. Gazanias are extremely drought-tolerant and thrive in hot, dry conditions with sandy or poor soil. They make excellent ground covers for sunny slopes and are ideal for coastal gardens.
When to plant Gazania
Start gazania seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost. Sow on the surface of moist seed-starting mix and cover very lightly, as seeds need some light for germination. Seeds germinate in eight to fourteen days at 68 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Seedlings grow slowly at first. Transplant outdoors after all frost danger when soil is warm. Direct sowing is possible in zones 9 and above but results in late-season blooming. Most gardeners in cold climates purchase transplants for earlier flowers.
Your Gazania Year
Composed for Zone 7 · typical seasons · frost passes Apr 2, returns Nov 1
Sow Gazania Apr – May, pick Jun – Oct. Set your climate below and every date on this plate re-times itself.
How to grow Gazania
Gazanias are warm-season plants that thrive in the hottest, sunniest spots in the garden. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost, or purchase transplants in spring. Sow seeds on the surface of moist seed-starting mix and cover very lightly. Seeds germinate in eight to fourteen days at 68 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Transplant outdoors after all danger of frost, spacing eight to twelve inches apart.
Choose the sunniest location available with well-drained, lean soil. Gazanias are native to South Africa and perform best in sandy, gravelly, or poor soil where most plants would struggle. Rich soil produces lush foliage at the expense of flowers. Water sparingly once plants are established, as gazanias are extremely drought-tolerant and actually perform worse with regular irrigation.
The flowers open only in bright sunlight and close on cloudy days and at night, which is their primary quirk. Modern hybrid series offer somewhat improved behavior in overcast conditions. Deadheading is not necessary but improves appearance. In frost-free zones 9 through 11, gazanias are perennial and can form spreading ground covers. Feed lightly at planting time and avoid supplemental fertilizing during the growing season.
36 plants fit a 4 × 8 ft bed
Each Gazania wants 25 cm of elbow room. The planner keeps that spacing for you — every plant, every bed.
Gazania's best neighbours
Gazanias combine beautifully with other drought-tolerant, sun-loving plants like portulaca, lantana, vinca, and ornamental grasses in xeriscape plantings. Their low, spreading habit makes them excellent ground covers beneath taller companions. Use them in rock gardens with sedums, ice plants, and other succulents. The bold, striped flowers provide striking contrast against silver-foliage plants like dusty miller. Gazanias are ideal for hot, dry slopes where few other flowers thrive.
Portulaca belongs beside it.
Old growers' knowledge, checked against Gazania's real companion table below — test any plant you're growing.
Feed it well
Gazanias thrive in poor to average, extremely well-drained soil with a pH of 5.8 to 6.8. Sandy, gravelly, or rocky soil is ideal. They are excellent plants for coastal gardens with salty, sandy conditions. Avoid heavy clay and rich amended soil. A very light feeding with balanced granular fertilizer at planting time is sufficient. Do not fertilize during the growing season, as excess nutrients produce lush foliage with reduced flowering. Container plants need only occasional diluted feeding.
Ideal Temperature
Hardiness Zone Compatibility
From seed to harvest, stage by stage
Seed Sowing
Gazania seeds are sown indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date. Press seeds lightly into the surface of a well-draining seed-starting mix. Seeds require darkness to germinate, so cover trays with a light layer of vermiculite or a dark cloth.
Germination
Seedlings emerge with a pair of small, rounded cotyledon leaves. At this stage the plants are delicate and grow slowly. Once cotyledons are fully open, remove any covering and move trays to bright light to prevent etiolation.
Vegetative Growth
True leaves develop with the characteristic lance-shaped form and silvery undersides. Plants form a low, spreading rosette of foliage close to the ground. Root systems expand rapidly during this phase, establishing drought tolerance.
Bud Formation
Flower buds appear at the tips of short stalks rising from the center of the leaf rosette. Buds are tightly closed and wrapped in green bracts. The plant continues to spread laterally while directing energy toward reproductive growth.
Flowering
Blooms open fully in bright sunlight, displaying vivid colors and distinctive dark eye-zone markings. Each flower lasts 5 to 7 days. Plants produce successive waves of blooms throughout the warm season, with peak flowering in midsummer heat.
Seed Setting
Unfertilized flowers fade and seed heads develop. Each flower head produces numerous small, hairy achenes. If allowed to set seed, the plant gradually reduces new flower production and redirects energy to seed maturation.
Dormancy or End of Season
In frost-prone regions gazanias are treated as annuals and die back after the first hard frost. In USDA zones 9 to 11 plants become semi-dormant in winter, retaining basal foliage but ceasing flower production until warmth returns.
Maintain soil temperature between 18-24°C (65-75°F) for optimal germination. Keep the medium evenly moist but never waterlogged, as gazania seeds are prone to damping off in overly wet conditions.
Caring for Gazania month by month
What to do each month for your Gazania
July
You are hereNo specific care tasks for this month.
Harvesting Gazania
Gazanias are best enjoyed in the garden rather than as cut flowers, as they close when removed from sunlight. For short-term indoor display, cut stems in the morning when flowers are fully open and place in a sunny window. Flowers last two to three days in a vase if kept in bright light. For seed saving, allow spent flowers to dry on the plant, then collect the fluffy seed heads and separate the seeds from the chaff. Store seeds in a cool, dry location.
assuming you sow when the window opens — set your real date
Pick Gazania promptly and the plant keeps producing.
Storage & Preservation
Gazanias are not well-suited for preservation as cut or dried flowers due to their tendency to close without direct sunlight. In cold climates, dig up plants in fall before frost, pot them, and overwinter indoors in a sunny window at 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Reduce watering during winter dormancy. Replant outdoors in spring after frost danger passes. Seeds remain viable for two to three years in cool, dry storage. Take stem cuttings in late summer for overwintering choice varieties indoors.
What goes wrong — and the fix
Crown Rot
DiseaseSudden plant collapse with brown, mushy tissue at the crown and roots. Common in wet, poorly drained conditions.
Downy Mildew
DiseaseYellow patches on upper leaf surfaces with grayish mold underneath, typically during cool, wet weather.
Slugs and Snails
PestIrregular holes chewed in leaves and petals, slimy trails on foliage, damage concentrated overnight in damp conditions.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
The most frustrating trait is the flowers closing on cloudy days, in shade, and at night. Choose modern hybrid series bred for improved staying open. Overwatering and poor drainage cause crown and root rot, the most common cause of plant death. Gazanias refuse to flower in shade or even partial sun. In humid climates, fungal diseases can be problematic. These plants truly need hot, dry, sunny conditions to thrive and are a poor choice for cool, moist, or shaded gardens.
Growing Tips
- Plant gazanias in the hottest, sunniest spot in your garden. They require a minimum of 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily to bloom well and will produce few flowers in partial shade.
- Use extremely well-draining soil. Sandy or gravelly soil is ideal. In clay-heavy ground, amend generously with coarse sand and perlite or plant in raised beds to prevent root rot.
- Water deeply but infrequently. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Overwatering is the most common cause of gazania failure, leading to crown rot and fungal diseases.
- Avoid rich, heavily fertilized soil. Gazanias evolved in nutrient-poor coastal sands and actually perform better with minimal feeding. A single application of slow-release balanced fertilizer in spring is sufficient.
- Deadhead spent flowers every 3 to 5 days by pinching or cutting the stem back to the base of the rosette. This prevents seed production and redirects the plant's energy into producing more blooms.
- Space plants 25 to 30 cm apart when planting in mass. They will fill in to form a dense, weed-suppressing ground cover within 6 to 8 weeks during warm weather.
- Take 8-10 cm stem cuttings in late summer to propagate favorite cultivars. Root them in a sandy propagation mix kept barely moist in a bright location out of direct midday sun.
- In regions colder than USDA zone 9, treat gazanias as annuals or dig up plants before the first frost and overwinter them in pots indoors near a bright, south-facing window.
- Mulch around plants with gravel, crushed stone, or coarse sand rather than organic mulch. Organic mulches retain moisture around the crown and can promote fungal disease in these drought-adapted plants.
- Monitor for aphids and mealybugs, especially on new growth and flower buds. A strong jet of water or an application of insecticidal soap will control most infestations without harming beneficial insects.
Pick your Gazania
Kiss Series
Compact eight to ten inch plants with large, boldly patterned flowers in a stunning array of striped and solid colors, earlier blooming than most.
New Day Mix
Improved variety with flowers that stay open longer on cloudy days, available in bright orange, rose, red, yellow, and white with dark centers.
Big Kiss White Flame
Dramatic white petals with a bold rose-red flame stripe, creating an eye-catching bicolor display on compact plants.
Talent Mix
Features attractive silvery-green foliage with bold daisy flowers, adding ornamental value even when blooms are closed.
Gazanias are one of the most cost-effective ornamental ground covers available. A single packet of seeds (approximately 50-100 seeds) costs $2-4 and can fill a large garden bed. Established plants self-seed readily in mild climates, providing free plants in subsequent years. Their extreme drought tolerance significantly reduces water bills compared to thirsty ornamentals like petunias or impatiens. By taking stem cuttings from favorite cultivars each autumn, gardeners can propagate unlimited new plants at no cost, avoiding the $3-6 per plant retail price of nursery-grown specimens each spring.
Quick recipes
Gazania Pressed Flower Botanical Art
30 minutes active, 2-3 weeks dryingPreserve the vivid colors of gazania blooms by pressing them between layers of absorbent paper to create stunning botanical art pieces for framing or greeting cards. Gazanias hold their color remarkably well when dried.
6 ingredients
Gazania Petal Natural Dye Bath
2 hoursUse the vibrant petals of orange and yellow gazania flowers to create a natural dye bath that produces warm golden-amber tones on natural fibers like cotton, linen, and silk. An eco-friendly craft project for using abundant blooms.
6 ingredientsGazania Flower Arrangement for Sunny Centerpiece
20 minutesCreate a vibrant fresh-cut flower arrangement featuring gazania blooms. Because gazanias close at night, this centerpiece is best suited for daytime events, garden parties, and outdoor luncheons where the blooms can stay open in bright light.
6 ingredientsWhat's inside
Health Benefits
- Gazanias attract bees, butterflies, and hoverflies, contributing to pollinator health and supporting biodiversity in residential and community gardens.
- Growing gazanias in outdoor spaces promotes time spent in nature and sunlight, which supports mental well-being, reduces stress, and encourages physical activity through gardening.
- The low-maintenance, drought-tolerant nature of gazanias reduces the need for chemical inputs such as excessive fertilizers and pesticides, promoting a healthier garden ecosystem.
- Gazanias used as ground cover help stabilize sandy or erosion-prone soils, reducing dust and airborne particulates that can aggravate respiratory conditions.
- Planting gazanias in containers and window boxes brings vibrant color to living spaces, which studies have linked to improved mood, creativity, and overall psychological well-being.
- As a water-wise ornamental, gazanias help conserve municipal water resources when used in xeriscaping, supporting broader community environmental health.
Where Gazania comes from
Gazania rigens, commonly known as the treasure flower, is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to the coastal regions of southern Africa, particularly South Africa and Mozambique. The species thrives in its native habitat along sandy dunes, rocky outcrops, and dry grasslands where it has adapted to intense sunlight, poor soils, and prolonged drought conditions. The silvery-white pubescence on the undersides of its leaves is a key evolutionary adaptation that reflects excess solar radiation and minimizes transpiration, enabling the plant to survive in arid coastal environments. Gazanias were first introduced to European horticulture in the early 17th century when Dutch and Portuguese traders brought specimens back from the Cape of Good Hope. The genus was formally described by the German botanist Joseph Gaertner in 1791 and named in tribute to Theodore of Gaza, a prominent 15th-century scholar who played a pivotal role in translating the classical botanical texts of Theophrastus into Latin, helping to preserve and disseminate ancient Greek botanical knowledge throughout Renaissance Europe. By the 19th century gazanias had become popular bedding plants in European and British gardens, prized for their vivid daisy-like flowers and remarkable tolerance of heat and drought. Extensive hybridization programs, particularly in Germany, the Netherlands, and later in the United States and Japan, produced a broad array of cultivar series offering an expanded palette of flower colors and improved garden performance. Today gazanias are cultivated worldwide as ornamental ground covers, container plants, and bedding annuals in warm-temperate and subtropical climates. They have naturalized in parts of Australia, California, and the Mediterranean basin, occasionally becoming invasive in sensitive coastal ecosystems. Despite this, gazanias remain among the most valued drought-tolerant ornamentals for water-wise landscaping and xeriscaping programs around the globe.
Gazania: did you know?
Fascinating facts about Gazania
Gazania flowers close their petals at night and on overcast days, reopening only in direct sunlight, earning them the nickname 'treasure flower' because their beauty must be sought out in full sun.
Gazania questions, answered
When should I plant Gazania?
What are good companion plants for Gazania?
What hardiness zones can Gazania grow in?
How much sun does Gazania need?
How far apart should I space Gazania?
What pests and diseases affect Gazania?
How do I store Gazania after harvest?
What are the best Gazania varieties to grow?
What soil does Gazania need?
Why do my gazania flowers close at night and on cloudy days?
Can gazanias survive frost and come back next year?
How do I get my gazanias to produce more flowers?
Are gazanias toxic to pets or children?
Why are the leaves on my gazania turning yellow?
Can I grow gazanias in containers and hanging baskets?
You just read the theory. Now grow it on autopilot.
Everything that makes Gazania fiddly — the timing, the spacing, the companions, the harvest window — is exactly what PlotMyGarden handles for you, for every plant in your garden.
A plan that knows your weather
Set your location once. Get sow, feed and harvest dates built around your real last-frost date and live forecast — no more guessing from a generic seed packet.
From the “When to plant” sectionDrag-and-drop bed planner
Design beds on a grid. Every plant snaps to its proper spacing, and you can see your whole season laid out before you spend a cent on seed.
From the “Growing guide” sectionCompanion conflicts, caught early
200+ good-and-bad pairings checked live as you plant — so a season-wrecking mistake never makes it into the ground.
From the “Companions” sectionReminders you'll actually act on
“Water the beans.” “Pick today before it turns.” Timely, specific, and tied to the plants you're really growing.
From the “Harvest” sectionSuccession, scheduled
Want a harvest for six weeks, not six days? It spaces your sowings automatically and reminds you when each new block is due.
From the “When to plant” sectionA record that gets smarter
Every harvest you log teaches it your garden. Next year's plan starts from what actually worked in your soil, not a textbook's.
From the “Overview” sectionPlant these alongside Gazania
More Annuals
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