Gerbera Daisy Care Tips With Growing Guide

Gerbera daisies are low-maintenance plants and relatively easy to care for. Just place them in a sunny spot, water occasionally, and let them bring cheerful colors to your space. No need for complicated routines, these flowers flourish with simplicity, making them a stress-free choice for gardens or pots.

These plants are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. For indoor gardening, they can be grown in floor planters and railing planters, adding a touch of charm and beauty to the space.

For outdoors, they can be planted in garden beds or pots, complementing other plants with their yellow foliage or small blue flowers.

You can plant Gerbera daisies in two ways: using seeds or baby plants called seedlings. Growing from seeds could take more time, so if you are patient and enjoy the whole process, start with seeds. It lets you grow the plant from the beginning and choose specific colors.

On the other hand, if you want a quicker option and are okay with fewer choices, go for seedlings. They are like baby plants and are easier to care for. Decide based on your patience, gardening skills, and how much time you have.

To Grow From Seeds

• Get high-quality seeds from a reliable source.
• Use a well-draining potting mix and sow the seeds at a depth of 1/4 inch.
• Maintain a warm, moist environment at a temperature of 70°F. Continue these conditions for 2 to 4 weeks until germination occurs.
• Once the seedlings are about 2 inches tall, transplant them into individual containers.
• Continue to care for the seedlings by providing the right growing conditions and regular watering.

Gerbera daisies mostly like sunny spots and well-draining soil. Choose a bright location in your garden where they can receive at least 6 hours of sunlight every day. These daisies prefer soil that is slightly acidic to neutral, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.

If the soil isn't in good condition, you can improve it by adding compost or manure. Choose a compost with a balanced mix of well-rotted cow or horse manure and organic garden compost when amending the soil. This will help the soil become more fertile and improve its water drainage.

Once the danger of frost has passed, it's time to harden off your daisy seedlings. This process involves gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for a week before transplanting. To do this, place the seedlings in a sheltered location with partial shade and gradually increase their exposure to sunlight over time.

After hardening off, now it's time to transplant your gerbera daisies. Plant them 12 to 18 inches apart in your prepared garden bed. Make sure the soil is well-draining and fertile. Water the plants thoroughly after transplanting and continue to care for them as you would any other garden plant.

After the transplanting process, your daisies need regular watering, but it's important not to overwater them. Aim for about 1 inch of water per week, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. It is best to water the plants in the morning, moistening the soil in which they grow. 

During summer, water your plants regularly, especially when they are growing actively. If they are in containers, let the compost dry out a bit between waterings. In winter, keep the compost somewhat dry, and don't leave containers in trays of water for too long, as they can easily rot.

To keep your gerbera daisies healthy and blooming, fertilize them monthly during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer diluted to half strength. This will provide the necessary nutrients for the plants to thrive.

Additionally, it's equally important to avoid getting fertilizer on the foliage and crown of the plant, as this can lead to leaf burn. Here are some key points to remember when fertilizing your gerbera daisies:

• Give your plants slow-release or liquid fertilizer two to three times when they are growing.
• Choose a fertilizer with iron and manganese for your plant to prevent nutrient deficiencies.
• Mix the fertilizer with water to make it half as strong to prevent giving too much.
• Don't let fertilizer touch the leaves and center of the plant to avoid burning.

If you want more flowers on your Gerbera daisies, try deadheading. Deadheading is when you remove the old flowers by pinching off the stems right under the flower head. This stops the plant from making seeds and encourages it to produce new flowers. It's an easy way to keep your flower blooming.

This practice should be done regularly, especially when the flowers start to wilt but before the petals fall off. You can use a pair of scissors or pruners to snip off the stem and faded bloom from the plant. Always clean your tools before deadheading to prevent the spread of diseases.

To care for gerbera daisies, you should apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plants. This serves multiple purposes, including retaining soil moisture, suppressing the growth of weeds, and regulating the temperature of the soil.

Furthermore, mulch acts as a protective barrier, creating an optimal environment for the healthy growth of gerbera daisy plants by providing the necessary moisture and insulation. You can use organic mulch, such as well-rotted garden compost, but avoid covering the crowns of the plants.

In colder climates, these plants may need to be overwintered indoors to protect them from frost damage. To do this, carefully dig up the plants before the first frost and pot them in containers filled with high-quality potting mix. Keep them in a north-facing window and water them sparingly until spring.

In winter, make sure to keep the temperature for your flower between 55 and 78 °F. Don't water them too much. Watch out for any signs of rot or fungus on the plant, and if you see any affected leaves or blooms, remove them. Once spring comes, you can take them back outside.

Despite gerbera daisies being generally resistant to pests and diseases, they can still face threats from aphids, thrips, and other flying insects. Aphids can harm your plant by extracting sap from its leaves, while thrips may damage both leaves and flowers. They are also prone to fungal diseases like bacterial leaf spots and gray mold.

To manage these issues, inspect regularly and treat them promptly. Use insecticidal soap to control aphids and thrips, while applying fungicides can help protect plants from fungal diseases. Maintain good air circulation, low humidity, and avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal spread.

Gerbera daisy care indoors is easy, and with proper attention, they can grow to about 16 inches tall. Just place them near a window with enough light (not too sunny) and ensure good air circulation. Avoid putting them too close to direct sunlight, as this may cause their leaves to get burnt.

However, don't keep them in the dark either, as they might not produce as many flowers with insufficient light. When it comes to watering, just give them a good soak when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, and let the pot drain properly before putting it back on the saucer or drip tray.

Gerbera Daisy Indoor Care Tips

• Select a pot with drainage holes that is no more than one-third larger than the root ball of your new plant.
• Water your plant deeply only when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
• Avoid getting the leaves wet when watering the plants to prevent the development of mold/mildew.
• Keep your plant away from heaters, air conditioners, and cold drafts.
• If the plant begins to outgrow its current pot, repot it in a larger container.
• Plant new seedlings in well-draining, loamy soil, considering different types of soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH.