African daisies, also known as osteospermums, are hardy, colorful flowers that make a stunning addition to any garden Their bright, daisy-like blooms come in a vibrant array of colors like purple, pink, orange, yellow, white and more. African daisies are native to South Africa but have become popular garden annuals worldwide If you’re looking to add a pop of color to your garden beds or containers, African daisy plants are a great choice. Here’s what to know about finding these beauties for sale.
A Bit About African Daisies
Before purchasing African daisy plants, it helps to understand a little about how they grow. These plants are classified as tender perennials, meaning they can’t withstand freezing temperatures. In most climates they’re grown as annuals. African daisies grow quickly from seed to reach 1-2 feet tall and wide. The mounded plants are covered with cheerful daisy blooms from spring through fall.
African daisies thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. They’re drought tolerant once established. Deadheading spent blooms encourages continuous flowering. These carefree plants have few pest or disease problems. African daisies attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. With their long blooming season and vivid colors, it’s no wonder African daisy plants are so popular!
Where to Find African Daisy Plants for Sale
You have several options when looking to purchase African daisy plants for your garden. Here are some of the best places to find them for sale:
Local Garden Centers
Stop by garden centers and nurseries in your area in spring to shop for African daisy plants. Many will have a good selection of annuals, including osteospermums. Browse the tables and racks to find just the right colors and varieties to enhance your garden.
Shop early in the season for the best selection. You may even find some African daisy seedlings to transplant into your garden. Local garden centers are a great option for finding healthy, locally-grown plants.
Online Retailers
If your local garden center doesn’t stock African daisies, shop the many online plant retailers. Large online nurseries like Garden Crossings, Park Seed, Burpee and others carry a wide choice of African daisy plants shipped right to your door.
Order early, as the most popular varieties sell out quickly. Make sure to check the retailer’s shipping and planting guidelines. Most send bareroot plants that are simple to plant upon arrival. Online buying allows you to find new and unique African daisy varieties not found locally.
Mail Order Nurseries
Consider ordering a catalog from mail order nurseries that specialize in unique annuals and perennials. Companies like Bluestone Perennials and Joy Creek Nursery have a fantastic selection of African daisy plants.
Browse their catalogs or websites to view color photos and descriptions of available varieties. Mail order buying provides access to rare finds not seen at local outlets. Keep planting timelines in mind when ordering by mail.
DIY from Seeds
For the most diversity, start African daisy plants from seed yourself. You’ll find seed packets at garden centers or can order online. Popular color mixes provide a rainbow of blooms.
Sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost. African daisies grow quickly from seed and will be ready to transplant into the garden in no time. Growing from seed is inexpensive and lets you try unique varieties.
Farmer’s Markets and Plant Sales
Check out your local farmer’s markets and community plant sales in spring to uncover great deals on African daisy plants. Local gardeners often sell perennials and annuals divisions from their own gardens.
These smaller outlets can offer unusual plant varieties not found elsewhere. It’s a great way to get expert advice and find plants specially suited for your growing region. Keep an eye out for African daisy plants at these smaller pop-up outlets.
What to Look for When Buying
When shopping for African daisy plants, keep an eye out for:
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Healthy foliage and roots: Choose plants with green, perky leaves and white, unbroken roots. Avoid any that are rootbound, discolored or appear dried out.
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Early blooms: Pick plants that are just beginning to flower. This indicates maturity and shows the true flower color.
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Well-branched shape: Seek plants with a mounded, well-branched form rather than those that are leggy or sparse.
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Labeled varieties: Look for labels indicating flower color and variety. This helps ensure you get the varieties you want.
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Hardiness: Be sure the plants are suited for your climate. Some African daisy varieties thrive in heat while others prefer cooler conditions.
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Appropriate size: Purchase plants that are large enough to transplant easily but not overgrown. Plants around 4-6 inches are ideal.
Popular African Daisy Varieties to Try
With new varieties introduced regularly, there’s no shortage of fantastic African daisies to brighten the garden. Here are some top picks to look for when shopping:
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‘Passion Mix’ – Vibrant blend of purple, pink, orange and white blooms on mounded plants.
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‘Sundrop’ – Gorgeous, bright yellow blooms that fade to apricot around the eye.
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‘Akila Daisy White’ – Prolific white daisy blooms with yellow centers on compact plants.
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‘Double Moonglow’ – Unique fully double blooms in shades of apricot, gold and cream.
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Bright LightsTM Series – Award winning mix of single daisies in bold colors like red, purple and orange.
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SerenityTM Series – Beautiful pastel mix of soft pink, lavender, peach and white blooms.
Bring Home Cheerful African Daisies
With their diversity of colors and season-long bloom, it’s easy to see why African daisies are so popular. They require minimal care while providing vivid color in beds, borders and containers. For the widest selection of varieties, shop early at local garden centers, online retailers, specialty nurseries or plant sales. Then sit back and enjoy these beauties as they cheerfully blossom in your garden.
How To Use African Daisy In The Garden
African daisies (Osteospermum spp.) are notable for their unique petal shapes, including fringed and spoon-shaped, and their multi-colored central discs. These flowers display a range of colors such as pink, purple, orange, yellow, white, or bi-color, and typically reach 1 to 3 feet high and wide. Gardeners often choose African daisies for their striking appearance and the extended blooming period from spring to the first frost.
African daisies bring lively color to the base of small evergreens or among Mediterranean herbs. They mix seamlessly with taller shrubs, hold their own in container arrangements alongside trailing plants, and pair beautifully with tropical annuals. Their long stems make a welcome addition to cut-flower gardens, adding a cheerful note to indoor displays. Edging walkways, brightening herb borders, or standing as a summer focal point, these showy plants adapt well to numerous garden styles.
Plant African daisies in the spring after the last frost, spacing them at least 12 inches apart to accommodate their mature spread. Choose a location with full sun and well-draining soil. Water consistently until the roots establish, then provide about one inch of water per week, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Fertilize regularly throughout the growing season with a balanced fertilizer to support continuous blooming.
Prune African daisies to maintain a compact shape and encourage reblooming. Deadhead spent flowers regularly. In warmer zones (9-11), minimal winter protection is needed; however, during unexpected cold snaps, cover plants with horticultural cloth. For container-grown African daisies, ensure pots have good drainage and monitor watering, especially in dry winter conditions. No fertilization is necessary until new growth appears in late winter. Learn More About African Daisy Care
African Daisy 1 to 9 of 9 total
Osteospermum, is a genus of flowering plants from Africa belonging to the Asteraceae family. The African Daisy blooms can be red, white, orange, yellow, or purple, with blue/green or gray/silver foliage. This flower is hardy in zones 9-11, but can be grown as an annual in colder areas. It blooms best in full sun and can survive the heat. This flower is easy to care for, blooms from spring to first frost, and supports bees and butterflies.
Grows in any sunny location
Available in many colors
Typically grows 1-2 feet tall
Winter hardy in zones 9 to 11
Cape Marigold, Dimorphotheca, Cape Daisy, Blue-Eyed Daisy, South African Daisy
White, purple, pink, yellow, orange, blue, and bi-colored varieties
Spring to fall in mild climates; summer to early fall in cooler regions
Mounding or spreading, typically growing 1–3 feet (30–90 cm) tall and wide
Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators
Heat, drought, and poor soil once established
Osteospernum – African Daisy – Fabulous Bogo Sale!
FAQ
What month do you plant African Daisies?
Planting Time
African Daisy seeds can be planted indoors in late winter, or directly outside in Zones 9 or warmer once frost danger has passed.
Do African Daisies come back each year?
According to Lowes.com/plants where this is listed as plant number L11796 it states that the African Daisy can be used as a tender perennial (coming back year after year) in mild winter areas of the country where temperatures rarely dip below 32°F for long periods of time.
Where is the best place to plant African daisy?
Where do African daisies grow best? African Daisies grow best in full sun, where they receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. They prefer well-draining soil, and they can tolerate sandy and somewhat rocky soils. They perform best with consistent moisture.
Are African daisies perennial?
African daisies are flowering plants from the sunflower and daisy family, Calenduleae and include approximately 50 species. African daisies are also known as South African, Cape or blue eyed daisies. The scientific name of the African daisy is Osteospermum and all plants in this species are perennials although they do not like freezing conditions.
What is a South African daisy?
African daisies are scientifically known as Osteospermum and are a part of the Asteraceae family. The Asteraceae family consists primarily of other daisy varieties and is one of the largest flowering plant families. You might come across other common names of this plant such as Cape marguerite, Cape daisy, South African daisy, and blue-eyed daisy.
Do African daisies Bloom a lot?
Overall, planting African daisies is a fairly simple endeavor. To ensure the highest number of blooms and the healthiest plants, there are some actions that can be taken, however. A well cared for African daisy will produce brightly colored blooms all season long and is sure to be a favorite. Here are our African daisy care tips you can follow:
What do African daisies look like?
They say the flowers on the African daisy look like fake flowers or dyed flowers. The colors are exceptionally vibrant and eye-catching and come in pinks, purples, whites, yellows, and some multi-color combinations of these colors. The blooms on most varieties will start in mid-spring, with the peak being late spring to early summer.
Can African daisies grow in full sun?
When choosing a location to plant African daisies, full sun is always best. African daisies grow best in full sun, and while they can grow in light shade, they will produce fewer flowers. A partially-shaded location may be an option for your African daisies, but you may reduce the number of blooms you receive by doing so.
Which fertilizer is best for African daisy?
Fertilizers that are water soluble are best for the African daisy. Although there are many different fertilizers to choose from, an organic fertilizer designed for blooming flowers will probably be your best bet if you want the best blooms possible.