Gerbera daisy is native to South Africa and part of the Aster family. The varieties that youll find at nurseries and in seed catalogs today are hybrids bred for their vividly colored flowers. Gerbera daisies are divided into four classes: single flower, semi-double flower, double flower, and spider flower.
In warm climates, Gerbera daisies are grown as tender perennials that come back every year. In areas with cold winters, they are treated as annuals and planted in garden beds or containers after all danger of frost has passed in the spring. If you live in a climate where winters are cold and snowy, it is best to buy nursery-grown starter plants.
Gerbera daisies establish themselves at a moderate pace, delivering their first flowers within 14 to 18 weeks and continuing to bloom throughout the summer.
Hey fellow garden enthusiasts! I’ve been growing gerbera daisies for years at Stone Post Gardens, and I’m super excited to share everything I know about keeping these beauties blooming their hearts out with the right fertilizer. These stunning flowers can be a bit picky, but with the right nutrition, they’ll reward you with those gorgeous, eye-catching blooms we all love.
Why Proper Fertilization Matters
Let’s get real – gerbera daisies are like teenagers, they need the right balance of nutrients to thrive! Here’s what these lovely plants need:
- Nitrogen (N): For healthy leaves (but don’t go overboard!)
- Phosphorus (P): Critical for those stunning blooms
- Potassium (K): Helps with overall plant health and disease resistance
Best Fertilizer Options for Gerbera Daisies
1. Water-Soluble Fertilizers
We’ve found these work great for regular feeding:
- 15-7-15 formula
- 12-2-12 formula
- Apply every two weeks during growing season
2. Granular Fertilizers
Perfect for slow-release feeding:
- 10-30-20 ratio
- 15-30-15 ratio
- 5-10-5 ratio
- Apply every 2-3 months
3. Organic Options
For my organic gardening friends
- Espoma Organic Flower-tone (6-3-2)
- Jobe’s Organics Flower & Vegetable (9-4-6)
- Compost
- Worm castings
When to Fertilize
Here’s my tried-and-true fertilizing schedule
Spring
- Start when new growth appears
- Feed every 2 weeks
- Use water-soluble fertilizer
Summer
- Continue feeding every 2-4 weeks
- Watch for signs of nutrient deficiency
- Water deeply after fertilizing
Fall
- Reduce to monthly feeding
- Stop when blooming declines
Winter
- No fertilizer needed for dormant plants
- Resume in spring
Warning Signs Your Gerbera Needs Fertilizer
Keep an eye out for:
- Yellowing leaves
- Fewer flowers than usual
- Weak stems
- Dull flower colors
Pro Tips for Fertilizing Success
- Don’t overdo it! Too much fertilizer can burn roots
- Water thoroughly after applying granular fertilizers
- Keep fertilizer away from plant crown
- Test soil pH regularly (they like slightly acidic soil)
- Add micronutrients, especially iron and manganese
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using high-nitrogen fertilizers (causes lots of leaves, few flowers)
- Fertilizing wet foliage
- Applying fertilizer to dry soil
- Ignoring signs of nutrient deficiency
- Over-fertilizing (more isn’t always better!)
Special Considerations for Container Plants
For my container gardening friends:
- Use liquid fertilizer more frequently
- Monitor soil moisture carefully
- Consider slow-release fertilizers
- Reduce strength to 1/2 recommended dose
My Personal Recommendations
After years of trial and error, here’s what I’ve found works best:
-
For Regular Maintenance:
- Water-soluble 15-7-15 every two weeks
-
For Heavy Bloomers:
- Slow-release 10-30-20 supplemented with liquid feeds
-
For Organic Gardens:
- Espoma Flower-tone + monthly compost tea
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If your gerberas aren’t thriving even with fertilizer:
- Check soil drainage
- Ensure proper sunlight (morning sun, afternoon shade)
- Monitor watering (don’t overwater!)
- Look for pest problems
- Test soil pH
Finding the right fertilizer for your gerbera daisies might take some experimenting, but it’s totally worth it! Remember, these beauties prefer balanced nutrition with a slight emphasis on phosphorus for maximum blooming. Start with our recommended formulas and adjust based on your plants’ response.
I’d love to hear about your experiences with fertilizing gerbera daisies! Drop a comment below and share what’s working (or not working) in your garden. Happy growing!
Would you like me to explain or break down any specific aspects of gerbera daisy fertilization in more detail?
Propagating Gerbera Daisies
Gerbera daisies can be propagated from cuttings, divisions, or seeds. Propagation from cuttings and division are best done in the spring or summer during the most active growth period of the plant. Dividing mature plants helps to keep them vigorous, maintains air circulation around the plant, and promotes flowering.
To propagate from cuttings:
- In the summer when there is plenty of new growth on the plant, take cuttings from the base or the side shoots. Have a new pot, fresh potting soil, and rooting hormone (optional) ready.
- Dip the cut end of the cutting in rooting hormone to help the cutting develop a root system faster.
- Plant the cutting in a pot filled with fresh, moist potting soil. Keep it out of direct sunlight and water the cutting when the soil surface feels dry to the touch.
- Once you see new growth and the cutting has rooted (gently wiggle the stem to test), move the pot to a location with full to partial sun. Keep it watered. Wait until the cutting has grown into a vigorous little plant before transplanting it into the landscape or a bigger container.
To divide plants:
- In the early spring, just as the new growth starts, dig out the entire plant with all of its roots using a shovel or a spade. Have a sharp knife, a new pot or pots, and fresh potting soil (optional) ready.
- Cut through the roots with the knife or spade, separating the root ball into two or more parts depending on its size.
- Replant each part at the same depth as the original plant, or in new pots with fresh potting soil.
- Water each division thoroughly and keep it watered until it is established.
Common Pests
Aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, and thrips all feast on Gerbera daisy leaves. Theyre attracted to stressed plants, so keep your plants in good health and monitor them regularly for signs of trouble.
Small populations are easily blasted off with a strong spray of water. To control larger populations, use insecticidal soap or natural horticultural oils like neem.
Leafminers may also infest the leaves which will show the telltale sign of tunneling. Remove any damaged leaves.
| Pest | What to Look For | How to Treat |
| Aphids | Small, pear-shaped bugs in a variety of colors (green, black, gray, brown, yellow, red) | Spray with a strong jet stream of water |
| Whiteflies | Small, moth-like bug that is white-yellow with wings | Insecticidal soap |
| Spider mites | Small moving dots, sometimes cannot be seen with the naked eye | Neem oil or insecticidal sprays |
| Thrips | Tiny, cigar-shaped bugs with fringed wings | Trapping or vacuuming, neem oil, insecticidal soap |
Gerbera Daisies : Best fertilizer for getting Bigger and More Flowers from Gerbera Plant
FAQ
Is Miracle-Gro good for gerbera daisies?
How to Repot Gerbera Daisies. Choose a pot that’s no more than 1-2 inches larger than the diameter of your plant’s root ball. Make sure it has holes for drainage, too. Fill the pot about ⅓ full with Miracle-Gro® Indoor Potting Mix, which is formulated to be less prone to pesky fungus gnats.
What do you feed gerberas?
Feeding: apply slow-release fertiliser in spring, and high-potassium fertiliser when flower buds emerge. Watering: water well during warmer months, being careful not to wash soil into the centre of the crown of the plant.
Is Epsom salt good for gerbera daisies?
Magnesium deficiencies are quickly reversed with an application of Epsom salts at 8 oz./100 gal. A gerbera crop without flowers isn’t likely to result in good sell-through at retail. The most common causes of low flower count in gerbera relate to a lack of light reaching the crown.