How to Grow African Daisy (Osteospermum)

African daisy is a summer-flowering plant with flowers like daisies that bloom in white, blue and shades of pink. Some kinds have a ring of contrasting color right around the yellow center. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Choosing African Daisy

1

Buy African daisy in late spring and summer and through fall in warm climates.

2

Look for plants at nurseries in 4-inch to 1-gallon containers.

3

Choose healthy-looking plants with signs of new growth in foliage and flower buds.

Planting African Daisy

4

Plant African daisy in full sun in well-drained soil.

5

Add a light application of organic fertilizer to the planting hole.

6

Place the plants no deeper than they were growing in the containers.

7




Set the plants 9 to 12 inches apart.

8




Mulch around but not on top of the plants with 3 inches of organic compost.

9




Water well until soil is completely moist.

Caring for African Daisy

10

Deadhead (cut off old flower stems) with scissors or bypass pruners.

11

Apply a light application of organic fertilizer on top of the soil in spring; follow package directions.

12

Mulch around but not on top of the plants with 3 inches of organic compost.

13

Water well weekly until soil is completely moist in summers with no rainfall.