Guide to Growing African Daisy, Namaqualand Daisy & Cape Marigold
Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing African Daisy, Namaqualand Daisy, and Cape Marigold
Although plants of the Dimorphotheca genus are half hardy perennials, they are usually treated as half hardy annuals in the garden.
They carry daisy-like flowers of many colors. These bloom in the summer (or in the late winter/spring in hot climates when grown as perennials).
Dimorphotheca aurantiaca - African Daisy by Godo-Godaj; creative commons.
Members of Dimorphotheca include African daisy, Star of the Veldt, and Cape Marigold. Latin names include Dimorphotheca sinuata. They make great plants for use in the border.
Dimorphotheca sinuata - Namaqualand daisy by Bkleinh.
Commonly Grown Dimorphotheca Species
Dimorphotheca sinuata
Dimorphotheca sinuata (Glandular Cape marigold / Namaqualand daisy / Orange Namaqualand daisy), photograph by Malcolm Manners; CC.
Dimorphotheca ecklonis
Dimorphotheca ecklonis (Cape Marguerite / Sunday's River Daisy), picture by Georgios Liakopoulos; CC.
Dimorphotheca pluvialis
Dimorphotheca pluvialis (White African Daisy / Weather Prophet), Image by Wilferd Duckitt; CC.
Commonly Grown Dimorphotheca / African daisy Cultivars
Dimorphotheca 'Magenta'
Dimorphotheca 'Magenta' Colored Cultivar photograph by Shene81; CC 3.0.
Dimorphotheca 'Sinuata orange'
Dimorphotheca 'Sinuata orange' Cultivar photograph by ceasol; CC.
Dimorphotheca 'Purple'
Dimorphotheca 'Purple' Cultivar (AKA Osteospermum ecklonis) photograph by A; CC 4.0.
Dimorphotheca Plant Growing and Care Guide
Common Names: African Daisy, Cape Marigold, Namaqualand Daisy, Rain Daisy, White Daisy Bush, Star of the Veldt.Family: Asteraceae.
Life Cycle: Half hardy perennial usually grown as a half hardy annual by gardeners.
Height: 8 to 18 inches (20 to 60 cm).
Native: Southern Africa.
Flowers: As an annual: summer and Autumn. As a perennial: winter and spring.
Flower Details: Yellow, red, apricot, orange, pink, purple, salmon, white. Daisy-like. Bisexual flowers.
Foliage: Herbaceous.
Sow Inside: Germination time: ten days to two weeks. Temperature 65°F (18°C). Seven or eight weeks in advance. Transplant outdoors three or four weeks after the last frost.
Requirements: Full sunlight. Good drainage. Rich soil. Regular watering (morning/avoid leaves) for best results, though fairly drought tolerant. Deadhead. If growing as a perennial then cut back leaves once flowering has finished. Propagate: cuttings in summer.
How to Grow African Daisy, and other Dimorphotheca Plants
Unless you live in a very hot climate it is probably best to start Dimorphotheca indoors first.
The seeds should be sown about 6 to 7 weeks before they are due to be transplanted into the garden towards the end of spring.
The seeds of African daisies and other Dimorphotheca species should be lightly covered once sown.
They will take about two weeks to germinate at around 18 to 20 degrees Centigrade.
Once growing the Dimorphotheca seedlings should be put in the garden with a spacing of about 25 cm ((10 inches). Place into a sunny part of the garden that has good drainage. They prefer a rich soil.
Caring for Dimorphotheca plants
Dimorphotheca plants should be watered in the morning. Care should be taken not to get the leaves wet to prevent rot.
After the flowering season is over, the stems should be cut back to ground level (if you plan to grow them as a perennial).
If you require more plants then it is possible to take cuttings from Dimorphotheca during the summer.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Dimorphotheca plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ Asteraceae growing guides: How to grow Painted Daisy, Ginkgo biloba, Eryngium, and Cirsium plants.
If you enjoy the information on this site, then you'll love my book: The Gardener's HQ Plant Growing Guide. Available for Kindle (MOBI), iPad (ePub) and as a PDF.
Genus Index D
