How to Deadhead Gerber Daisies

Pinch spent Gerber daisies off the stems.

Gerbera daisies (Gerbera jamesonii), from tropical Africa, Asia and South America, are known by various names, including "African daisy" and "Transvaal daisy." This flowering plant produces colorful long-lasting blooms that attract bees and butterflies to gardens. Deadheading---or removing---spent blossoms before they set seeds conserves the energy that allows Gerber daisies to produce new flowers. Deadheading a Gerber daisy is a simple process with any of three slightly different options.

Things You'll Need

• Hand shears
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Pinch the dead flowers when they fade, removing only the flower head. Use your fingers to pull the flower off the stem or cut it with a pair of hand shears.

2. Prune the dead Gerber daisy flowers down to just above the first set of leaves.

3. Remove faded Gerber daisies at the base of the plant. Choose this option if you feel you can remove the stem at that low point without disturbing the foliage sprouting around it. A pair of narrow scissors facilitates the job.

References

• HortChat: Gerbera Daisy
• North Dakota State University; Questions on: Daisy; Ron Smith
• HortChat: Deadheading