How to Grow and Care for Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) Indoors
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Botanical name: Gerbera jamesonii
Family: Asteraceae
Common names: Gerbera Daisy, Barbeton Daisy, Transvaal Daisy
Description
Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) also called Barbeton Daisy or Transvaal Daisy is an ideal flowering houseplant for the well-lit spot. The striking flowers are a pleasant sight to behold. 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.
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 and gets rid of common VOCs specifically formaldehyde and benzene from indoor air.
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 Care Indoors
Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) thrives in bright light with some direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions 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. It requires regular pruning to keep it neat and to encourage flowering. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Light Requirements
Gerbera Daisy grows best in bright light with some 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.
Transvaal Daisy can also grow under a grow light if the natural light is not sufficient.
Watering
Water Gerbera Daisy liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist.
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.
Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot disease and eventual death of the plant.
Avoid wetting the crown as it can lead to crown and stem rot disease.
Temperature
Transvaal Daisy prefers average warmth between 15-250C. Keep it away from cold and hot draughts to prevent sudden changes in temperature.
Humidity
Gerbera Daisy has no need for high humidity. However, where the air is too dry due to high temperature, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity.
Regularly clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth. Ensure that there is good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.
Fertilizer (Feeding)
Feed Gerbera Daisy every 3 weeks during the growing season with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer. Withhold feeding during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time.
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 disease and eventual death of the plant.
Soil
The best soil for Gerbera Daisy should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Most multi-purpose potting mixes are ideal for Barbeton Daisy.
Pruning
Pruning Gerbera Daisy is easy. Cut off the flower stem at the base once flowering is over to encourage more blooms. Get rid of dead leaves to keep the plant neat and discourage pests and diseases.
Propagation
Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season from seeds or by plant division.
How to propagate 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 and place the set up in a warm brightly-lit place.
Maintain the soil moist through out by gently misting the soil surface.
Transplant the Barbeton Daisy when the seedlings are well established after which routine care can begin.
How to propagate Gerbera Daisy by plant division
Carefully divide a large Gerbera Daisy plant into sections while ensuring each section has some roots.
Pot these sections into individual pots in moist free-draining soil.
Ensure the crown of leaves is above the soil surface to prevent rotting.
Place the set up in a warm brightly-lit place and maintain the soil moist until the new Barbeton Daisy is well established after which you can begin routine.
Gerbera jamesonii Problems Indoors
Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) problems indoors are caused by improper care. These problems include brown leaf tips, leaf spot, mold, rotting, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Brown leaf tips and shrivelled leaf edges
Gerbera Daisy brown leaf tips and shrivelled leaf edges are due to two possible reasons. One possible reason for brown leaf tips and shrivelled leaf edges is dry air resulting in low air humidity.
Set the pot on a wet pebble tray to raise humidity. Read more on how to raise himidity for houseplants.
The second possible reason for brown leaf tips and shrivelled leaf edges in Barbeton Daisy is underwatering.
Maintain the soil moderately moist and never allow the soil ball to dry out completely.
Brown leaf spots surrounded by lighter-colored borders
Gerbera Daisy brown leaf spots surrounded by lighter-colored borders are an indication of leaf spot disease which is prevalent in stuffy humid conditions.
Improve on ventilation and allow good air circulation around the plant to minimize the occurence of the disease. Read on how to treat leaf spot disease in houseplants.
Moldy leaves and flowers
Moldy leaves and flowers in Gerbera Daisy are an indication of botrytis disease or powdery mildew which are enhanced by overwet conditions coupled with poor air circulation.
Do not mist the plant as moisture on the foliage creates suitable conditions for these diseases.
Cut off the diseased parts and keep the plant warm while ensuring that there is good air circulation
Limp leaves and rotten crown center
Limp leaves and rotten crown center in Gerbera Daisy are an indication of crown-rot disease due to wetting of the crown during watering. Avoid wetting the crown during watering or water it from the bottom instead.
Plant death (collapse)
Gerbera Daisy dying (plant collapse) is an indication of root-rot disease which is brought about by soggy soil. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other houseplants. Read on how to treat root-rot disease in houseplants.
Pests
The common pests in Gerbera Daisy are Aphids, Fungus Gnats and Caterpillars. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other houseplants and treat it with appropriate products like Neem oil or Insecticidal soap.
Is Gerbera Daisy toxic?
Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) plants are non-toxic to both humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. They are safe to grow indoors.
