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.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Bypass Pruners
• Compost Makers
• Fertilizers
• Garden Hoses
• Mulch
• Plants

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

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

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

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

4. 

   Set the plants 9 to 12 inches apart.

5. 

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

6. 

   Water well until soil is completely moist.

Caring for African Daisy

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

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

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

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