The African daisy, also known as Osteospermum, is a flower similar to the classic daisy but its colors are much stronger and brighter.
It is a flower to plant in spring after the frost has passed. It has a rapid growth rate, about two months after the seeds sprout.
The African daisy is a very resistant plant, native to South Africa. Its flowers can last a long time in temperate climates.
They are very colorful, their shape consists of a ring of striking brightly colored outer petals, with the presence of a dark "eye" in the center. The flowers can be seen in various colors, usually brown, gold, pink or green.
They are beautiful flowers that will transform your garden and turn it into a joyful paradise, whether you want to grow your own Osteospermum from a cutting, or simply enjoy and admire its beauty at home, in this article You will find everything you need to know for its perfect care and growth.
Plant and grow African daisy
These flowers thrive in warm, dry places. This means that when you plant it in your house, You should try to imitate their natural habitat as much as possible.
They need a lot of light, so make sure you choose a well-lit location for your plants. Besides, The soil you use should be free-draining and well aerated to promote growth. healthy plant roots.
You can plant the African daisy from a cutting, or by rooting a leaf or stem cutting. When planting from these, be sure to prepare the soil by mixing it with well-composted manure, and water it before planting the cuttings.
Once the seedlings are planted, water them every few days, and be sure to Water them thoroughly if they are in a particularly hot place.
When rooting a cutting, be sure to look for a stem about 5 to 10 cm long, and make the cut with a clean, sharp blade. When you have the cutting, remove the leaves that are less than 15 cm from the stem and plant it in soil that drains well.
Water the cutting every few days and keep an eye on the soil to make sure it doesn't become waterlogged.
How to care for the African daisy
They are one of the flowers that require the least maintenance. Thrives in full sun, but If the place has a lot of shade they will not bloom as abundantly.
Irrigation
Regarding irrigation, they are drought tolerant, but they need plenty of water at least once a week to grow as well as possible during periods of intense heat or drought. Otherwise their growth will become slow and they will become inactive.
Try to keep the soil moist, but do not overwater as this can cause diseases such as root rot.
Fertilizer
If your plants start to look a little worse for wear due to lack of nutrients, you can give them a boost by feeding them with a water-soluble fertilizer.
Make sure the fertilizer you use be high in potassium and phosphorus, and use it only once a month to avoid overdosing the plants.
Pruning
In order for the flowers to continue growing throughout the season, it is very important to remove spent and withered flowers from the plants. This will help encourage the formation of new flowers and keep the plants clean and tidy.
Remember to remove any new shoots forming beneath the dead flowers to encourage the growth of new flowers.
How to make the African daisy bloom better?
Generally They do not need much care to flourish, but some factors can influence to cause reduced flowering such as:
- Poor nutrition: If flowers do not grow, you should increase their feeding every two or three weeks. Remember that plants in pots need more fertilizer.
- Dryness and extreme heat: Try to provide some shade and add more water if they haven't bloomed properly.
- Lack of light: These flowers adapt to partial shade, but if they receive little sun, the plants will not bloom.
African Daisy Varieties
There is a wide variety of workshops including:
Passion mix: In a wide variety of colors: pink, purple, white, with a blue center. It can be grown from seed and is known for its heat tolerance.
White spider daisy: In the shape of a white spoon and lavender tones with a gold center. They grow up to approximately 30 cm tall.
Lemon Symphony: Soft yellows the center is purple and orange, it also grows about 30 cm high.
Pink sugar: They are pink and orange with a golden center and grow to about 25 cm tall.
Benefits of growing it in your garden
It is a plant that has low maintenance requirements and is resistant, so It is very suitable for novice gardeners. With minimal care it can thrive and flower abundantly, providing beautiful color to the garden.
It has a great ability to attract pollinators such as butterflies, bees and other very beneficial insects. It can benefit the ecosystem and support overall biodiversity in the environment.
It presents a wide variety of beautiful colors that can be combined with other plants, creating a harmonious and very attractive display in your garden.
Decoration with African daisies
Once your plants are well established, you can begin to enjoy the stunning range of colors that flowers will bring to your home.
You can display your daisies in vases or jars throughout the house, or use them as centerpiece in the dining room. African daisies are also a great addition to a summer bouquet, and They will help give a touch of luminosity to any room.
If you want to create a unique and eye-catching centerpiece for your home, consider the possibility of using a simple pot as a base and surrounding them with some succulent plants of colors. The combination of colors and textures will create a beautiful and eye-catching look that is sure to impress you.
Finally, if you are looking for a low maintenance flower to add a touch of color to your home, or want to create a unique and eye-catching centerpiece, or add life and color to your garden, the African daisy is the perfect choice.
With proper care, the African daisy will reward you with impressive blooms, filling your home and outdoors with vibrant, joyful energy.