Gerbera Daisy
Gerbera jamesonii
Gerbera Daisy blooms from May through September.
Mature size, hardiness zones, sun and the trait tags were checked against named botanical sources for this plant. The bloom months and water need on this page were not.
Growing Gerbera Daisy
Plant it in full sun. It prefers moderate water. It is hardy in USDA zones 8–11. Expect it to reach about 12 in tall and 12 in wide at maturity, in roughly 1 year.
When to plant Gerbera Daisy
Wait until all danger of frost has passed, then plant out Gerbera Daisy into warm soil; in most zones that means late spring. Planted then, it flowers from May to September.
Month-by-month timing for your zone is on the planting calendar: for the middle of its range, start with zone 9 in February.
Comes in 6 varieties across 4 colors
Same plant, same care - pick the color you are growing.
Good to know about Gerbera Daisy
Curated from university extensions, botanic gardens and other primary sources, with the source named on every note.
Worth knowing
The one make-or-break step: keep the crown (where stems meet roots) at soil level, never buried. A buried crown traps moisture and rots the plant. per NC State and Clemson
Bloom may pause in heat
Sources split: NC State sees peak bloom in spring and fall with a hot-summer lull, while others call it continuous. In hot climates, expect a midsummer pause. per NC State and Clemson
Premier cut flower
One of the world's top cut flowers. The single big head on a long straight stem lasts well in a vase and makes it a florist staple. per Clemson and University of Florida
Prone to iron deficiency
Feed lightly, but watch new leaves: gerbera is prone to iron and manganese deficiency, which yellows the leaf between green veins. A micronutrient feed or foliar spray fixes it. per Clemson and NC State
Safe around pets
Non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Just don't confuse it with mums (chrysanthemum), a look-alike daisy the ASPCA does list as toxic. per ASPCA and NC State
Usually grown as an annual
Frost-tender: grown as a warm-season annual across most of the US. Florist pot plants are notoriously hard to rebloom and are often tossed after the first flush. per Iowa State and Clemson
What pairs well with Gerbera Daisy
Good companions share its growing conditions and add something it lacks: an earlier or later bloom, a lower carpet in front, or structure through winter.
Candytuft
Shares full sun and low to moderate water; opens in mid spring and overlaps into this one's season; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; lower at 10 in, for the front of the border.
Perennial Sunflower
Shares full sun and moderate water; overlaps, then carries the display into mid fall; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds; taller at 4.9 ft, for the layer behind it.
Aster
Shares full sun and moderate water; overlaps, then carries the display into mid fall; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds.
Fountain Grass
Shares full sun and low to moderate water; overlaps, then carries the display into mid fall; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds; taller at 3.3 ft, for the layer behind it.
Pampas Grass
Shares full sun and low to moderate water; overlaps, then carries the display into mid fall; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds; stands well above at 8.2 ft, a canopy to plant beneath.
Switchgrass
Shares full sun and low to moderate water; overlaps, then carries the display into mid fall; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds; taller at 4.9 ft, for the layer behind it.
Siberian Squill
Shares full sun and moderate water; blooms in early spring, before this one opens; lower at 6 in, for the front of the border; blue against orange, for contrast.
Windflower
Takes full sun to part sun and moderate water; blooms in early spring, before this one opens; lower at 6 in, for the front of the border; blue against orange, for contrast.
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Drop this plant onto a 3D plan, see how it fills in, and watch your whole garden bloom across the year.