Consulta Plantas

Care of the plant Gerbera jamesonii or Gerbera Daisy

The genus Gerbera, family Asteracea, includes 70 species of perennial plants native to tropical regions of Africa, South America and Asia. There are many hybrids. Some species are: Gerbera jamesonii, Gerbera viridifolia, Gerbera aurantiaca, Gerbera plicata.

Common names: Gerbera Daisy, Barberton daisy, Transvaal daisy. This species is native to South Eastern Africa.

They are herbaceous tussock plants that reach 60 cm (23.62") in height when they bloom. The leaves are pinnatifid, deep green in color and hairy on the underside. The showy flowers are grouped in chapters 10 cm (3.93") in diameter and appear at the end of long leafless peduncles; They can be white, red, yellow, orange, or pink. They bloom from early spring to late summer.

They are used in flowerbeds and borders and in pots for terraces, balconies and greenhouses. They are mainly used as cut flowers. The cut of the flowers must be done first thing in the morning when the petals are open.

The Gerbera jamesonii needs a lot of light but without direct rays of the sun; prefers a semi-shaded exposure and protected from the wind. They do not resist temperatures below 7 ºC (44.6 ºF).

The soil can be normal garden soil with coarse sand and organic matter. They do not resist calcareous or clay soils. Planting and transplanting are done in early spring.

Water sparingly in winter and regularly the rest of the year so that the substrate never dries out completely.

Fertilize in autumn with compost and mineral fertilizer every 15 days in spring and summer.

Prune 2-3 leaves once a month in spring and summer to strengthen the plant; Prune faded flowers from the base of the flower stalk.

They can be attacked by whiteflies, mites, chlorosis and fungi (if there is excess humidity).

They are propagated by division at planting time, by cuttings from flowerless stems and from seeds sown in spring.

Images of the plant Gerbera jamesonii or Gerbera Daisy