Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) Care Indoors and Propagation Guide
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Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) also called Barbeton Daisy or Transvaal Daisy is an ideal flowering plant for the well-lit spot. The striking flowers are a pleasant sight to behold in any space.
There are many colorful Gerbera Daisy plants available. The flower colors range from soft pink, white, pale yellow, pink, orange, red and purple. The hybrids are more compact and produce up to six blooms at a time.
To get more blooms, once a flower fades, cut off the flower stalk at the base to encourage more blooming.
Botanical name: Gerbera jamesonii
Family: Asteraceae
Common names: Gerbera Daisy, Barbeton Daisy, Transvaal Daisy
Origin
Gerbera Daisy is native to South Eastern Africa. It was first described by Robert Jameson in 1889 while exploring the Barberton area of South Africa.
Gerbera jamesonii belongs to the Asteraceae (Daisy) family formerly Compositae together with Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Sunflower, Dahlias and Black-eyed Susan.
Size
Transvaal Daisy has been grown as a flowering pot plant for a long time and it grows to a height of 2 ft. The leaves are about 6 in. long, deeply veined and soft and hairy on the undersides.
Air Purifying
According to the NASA Clean Air Study, Gerbera jamesonii was found to be a good indoor air cleaner. It gets rid of formaldehyde and benzene from indoor air.
Toxicity
Gerbera Daisy plants are non-toxic to both humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. They are safe to grow indoors.
Where to Buy
Gerbera jamesonii are pretty plants to add to your plant collection. If you are looking to grow these plants, you may obtain the seeds and live plants online.
Buy Gerbera Daisy live plants and seeds from Amazon
Buy Gerbera Daisy seeds from Etsy
Gerbera jamesonii Care Indoors
Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) grows best in bright light with 6-8 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth between 15-250C, moderate humidity and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with regular feeding during the growing season.
Gerbera jamesonii does not require too frequent repotting as it blooms best when pot-bound, repot only when extremely pot-bound. Transvaal Daisy requires regular pruning to keep it neat and to encourage flowering.
When given the right growing conditions, Gerbera Daisy is a great indoor plant. It is considered to be one of the best indoor flowering plants for the home. Keep reading to learn how to grow this plant successfully.
Watering
Water Gerbera Daisy liberally during the growing season only when the top 2-3 in. of soil dry out and keep the soil moderately moist through out.
Cut down on watering during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time to maintain the soil slightly moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it may result to root-rot and eventual death of the plant. Avoid wetting the crown as it can lead to crown and stem rot disease. Read more on how to water houseplants the right way.
Light Requirements
Gerbera Daisy grows best in bright light with 6-8 hours of morning or late afternoon sunlight. Keep it away from hot direct sunlight as it can scorch the leaves.
Regularly turn the pot to ensure the Barbeton Daisy gets adequate light on all sides to prevent lopsided growth.
You may grow Transvaal Daisy under grow lights where the natural light is not sufficient. Take a look at these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Temperature and Humidity
Transvaal Daisy prefers average warmth between 15-250C. Keep it away from cold and hot drafts to prevent sudden changes in temperature.
Gerbera Daisy has no need for extra humidity. Moderate room humidity of 50-55% is adequate for this plant.
However, where the air is too dry due to high temperatures, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to increase humidity. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
Regularly clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and discourage pest infestations. Ensure that there is good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed your Gerbera Daisy every 3-4 weeks during the growing season with a water-soluble fertilizer that contains micro-nutrients like Iron, Zinc and Magnesium which are needed for the healthy growth of the plant.
Withhold feeding during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time and feeding the plant at this time can result in fertilizer burn and death of the plant.
Occasionally, flush out accumulated chemicals (salts) from the soil by running a stream of water through the soil until it drains through the drainage hole. Allow the stream of water to run for some time and repeat the process several times.
Potting Mix
The best potting medium for Gerbera Daisy should be rich in organic matter to provide the required nutrients and at a PH between 5.5 and 6.5. If the PH is too low the leaves develop black spots and patches. Where the PH is too high the leaves develop yellow stripes.
Very well-drained soil for Transvaal Daisy is important to prevent it from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot and death of the plant. Three parts of multipurpose potting mix amended with 1 part of sand is perfect for this plant.
Repotting
Repot Barbeton Daisy only when the plant is extremely pot-bound as it blooms more when slightly pot-bound. Do not repot a plant that is in flower as it can shorten the flowering period.
Repot Gerbera Daisy into a pot 1 size larger and one that has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot. Check out these Self Watering Planters with Drainage Hole on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Gerbera Daisy is easy. Remove dead leaves and stems to keep the plant neat and discourage pests and diseases. To encourage more blooms, cut off the flower stem at the base once flowering is over.
Propagation
Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season by plant division.
How to propagate Gerbera Daisy by plant division
- Water the Gerbera Daisy thoroughly at least 1 day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment as a well hydrated plant suffers less shock and takes a shorter time to take root.
- Slip the plant out of its pot and get rid of excess soil from the roots with your hands or wash it off with some water.
- Carefully divide the plant into sections while ensuring each section has some roots to hasten establishment.
- Select a 6 or 8 inches pot and make sure that the pot has adequate drainage to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.
- Fill the pot with a quality potting mix and make a hole in the center of the pot. Ensure that the hole is slightly wider than the root base of the section.
- Place the section in the previously made hole and lightly firm the soil around the base while taking care not to bury it too deep; maintain the section at the same soil level it was in the previous pot.
- Confirm that the crown of leaves is above the soil surface to prevent rotting.
- Thoroughly wet the soil until water comes out through the drainage holes.
- Place the pots in a warm (21-270C), brightly-lit place away from direct sunlight to avoid scorching.
- Maintain the soil moist until the new Barbeton Daisy is well established after which you can begin routine.
How to Grow Gerbera Daisy from seeds
- Spread Gerbera Daisy seeds evenly on moist free-draining soil and cover lightly withsome soil.
- Cover the set up with a plastic sheet to create a greenhouse effect to encourage germination.
- Place the set up in a warm (21-270C), well-lit place away from direct sunlight.
- Maintain the soil moist through out by gently misting the soil surface until germination takes place.
- Once the seeds have germinated and there is substancial growth, begin hardening the seedlings to get them accustomed to growing in room conditions. Gradually over a period of 2 weeks, remove the polythene sheet a little bit per day.
- After hardening, transplant the Barbeton Daisy into individual pots in moist, free-draining potting mix after which you can begin routine care.
Gerbera jamesonii Common Problems
Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) common growing problems include plant dying, lack of blooms, wilting, yellow leaves, leaf spots, mold, rotting, pests and diseases among others.
Plant dying
Gerbera Daisy may be dying from too little light, poor quality soil, poor feeding, root-rot, pest infestations, cold drafts, low humidity, incorrect watering among others.
Read more on 10 Reasons Why Gerbera Daisy is Dying and How to Revive It
Lack of blooms
Gerbera Daisy may fail to bloom due to too little light, incorrect watering, poor feeding, wrong temperatures, low humidity, lack of pruning, poor soil quality, pests infestations among other reasons.
Check out these 11 Reasons Why Gerbera Daisy is Not Blooming and How to Promote Flowering.
Pests
Gerbera Daisy is prone to aphids, scale insects, spidermites, fungus gnats and caterpillars.
Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other plants and treat it appropriately with appropriate products like insecticidal soap and neem oil as per the manufacturer's instructions.
Diseases
The common diseases in Gerbera Daisy are root-rot, leaf spot disease, powdery mildew, crown-rot disease, botrytis disease and viral diseases.
Related: Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) Common Problems and Solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do you keep Gerbera Daisies alive indoors?
To keep Gerbera Daisies alive indoors give them the right growing conditions. Gerbera Daisies flourish in bright light with 6-8 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth between 15-250C, moderate humidity (50-55%) and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with regular feeding during the growing season.
2. How often do you water Gerbera Daisy indoors?
Gerbera Daisy requires moderately moist soil during the growing season and slightly moist soil in the cold season. Therefore, water Gerbera Daisy liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out between waterings. Decrease watering in the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
3. Do Gerbera Daisies need direct sunlight?
Yes. Gerbera Daisies require bright light with 6-8 hours of morning or late afternoon sunlight. However, protect them away from hot midday sunshine to avoid scorching the leaves.
4. Do Gerbera Daisies purify air?
According to the NASA Clean Air Study, Gerbera Daisies purify the air by getting rid of formaldehyde and benzene from the air.
5. Do Gerbera Daisy multiply?
Yes. Gerbera Daisy can be multiplied at the beginning of the growing season by plant division. Divide the plant into sections and plant these sections in individual pots.
6. Why is my indoor Gerbera Daisy not flowering?
Your indoor Gerbera Daisy may fail to flower due to too little light, incorrect watering, poor feeding, wrong temperatures, low humidity, lack of pruning, poor soil quality, pests infestations among others.
7. Why are my Gerbera Daisies dying?
Your Gerbera Daisies may be dying from root-rot, poor lighting, overwatering, underfeeding, cold drafts, pests infestations, being extremely pot-bound, wrong humidity among other reasons.
8. What is the best fertiizer for my Gerbera Daisies?
The best fertilizer for your Gerbera Daisies is a water-soluble fertilizer that contains micro-nutrients like Iron, Zinc and Magnesium applied every 3-4 weeks during the growing season.
9. Should I cut the dead flowers off my Gerbera Daisies?
Yes. Once flowering is over, cut off the flower stem at the base to encourage more blooming.
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