African Daisy, also known as Gazania or Treasure Flower, is a vibrant ornamental plant cherished for its striking, bi-colored blooms. Botanically named Gazania rigens, this perennial belongs to the Asteraceae family and originates from the coastal regions of southern Africa. Its eye-catching flowers come in bold combinations of white, orange, yellow, cream, red, and pink, adding a burst of color to any garden.
Treasure Flower thrives as a hardy perennial and is prized for its ability to withstand sunny and dry conditions, making it a favorite among gardeners seeking low-maintenance yet visually stunning plants. Whether in borders, containers, or rock gardens, this adaptable plant brightens up spaces with its dazzling display of hues.
| Common name | African Daisy, Gazania, Treasure Flower |
| Botanical name | Gazania rigens |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Species | rigens |
| Origin | Coastal areas of southern Africa |
| Life cycle | Perennial |
| Plant type | Annual |
| Hardiness zone | 9, 10, 11 |
| Sunlight | Full Sun |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Soil condition | Loam |
| Soil ph | Acid |
| Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Growth rate | Medium |
| Flowering period | Fall |
| Height | 6 in. – 1 ft. |
| Flower color | Orange |
| Leaf color | Gray, Silver |
| Stem color | Green |
| Flower benefit | Long-lasting |
| Garden style | Cottage Garden |
| Uses | Coastal |
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Gazania rigens (syn. G. splendens), sometimes called treasure flower, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native to coastal areas of southern Africa. It is naturalized elsewhere and is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant.
Gazania rigens is a spreading, low-growing, half-hardy perennial, growing to 50 cm (20 in) tall and wide, with blue-gray foliage and brilliant yellow, daisy-like composite flowerheads throughout the summer. It is a herbaceous plant that is perennial in South Africa and in the Mediterranean regions, and annually in the gardens of colder regions.
It rarely exceeds 30 cm (12 in) and forms tufts, often very abundant. It leaves all basal, numerous, narrow and more or less lanceolate, usually entire, sometimes pennatilobed. The obverse of the leaves is shiny green, the grayish white lapel.
Like all compounds, gazania flowers in flower heads are often taken for simple flowers. The capitula is solitary at the end of peduncles just beyond the leaves. Each capitulum is formed by a central disc of tubular flowers, surrounded by ligulate peripheral flowers, whose color is very variable. The orange-yellow flowers are however the most numerous, often with black spots at the base of the ligules. The fruit is an achene, containing several seeds.
Gazania rigens is grown for the brilliant yellow of its blooms which appear against blue-grey foliage in the late spring and throughout the summer. Plants prefer a sunny position and are tolerant of dryness and poor soils. Quite indifferent to the nature of the soil, it looks especially for the sun, its flower heads closing when it is in the shade or when the weather is overcast. It adapts well to drought, heat and strong sun, unlike many other flowers.
Flowering from March to October in the northern hemisphere, the flowers are however more numerous and larger in the spring. In temperate regions this plant is usually grown as a half-hardy annual, though it can tolerate light frosts.
II. Types of Gazania
The daisy-like flowers of gazania come in a variety of hot hues on the color wheel—red, orange, and yellow. Many flowers feature solids and horizontal or vertical variegation on petals, sometimes with splashes of white and bright pink.
- ‘Chansonette’ series: Flowers early, ideal for short growing seasons
- ‘Creamsicle’: Ivory petals with a bronze center disk, ideal for white flower gardens
- ‘Daybreak’ series: Yields large flowers quickly from seed in sunset colors or stripes
- ‘Kiss Bronze’: Two-tone petals of orange and gold
- ‘Sunbather’s Sunset’: Paprika petals which stay open into the evening, rather than shutting tight as most varieties do at twilight
- ‘Sundrop’: Monochromatic gold petals and disks
‘Talent’ series: Silver foliage which contrasts vividly against bright flowers
‘Tiger Stripes’: Red or hot pink stripes on white or gold petals
III. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Gazania flowers thrive in full sun. Morning or afternoon shade may cause the flowers to stay closed for a portion of the day and may cause the plants to grow lanky, exceeding their normal height of six to 12 inches.
Temperature and Humidity
Gazanias like hot, dry conditions and work well with similarly adapted flowers, such as vinca, cosmos, verbena, or globe amaranth.
Watering
Treasure flower needs watering once the soil is dry. It is a drought-tolerant plant, but you will see bigger, brighter blooms if the plant is watered fairly regularly, without making it soggy. Seedlings should be kept moist and, once growing on their own, will not require as much attention.
Soil
Gazanias do best in sandy, well-draining soil but will tolerate many soil types and conditions. Its preferred pH is neutral (near 7.0 pH) but it will also tolerate acidic soil down to 5.8 and alkaline soil.
Fertilizing
Treasure flower will not need fertilizer if grown in conditions that replicate their native habitat. If they are over-fertilized, they will produce more foliage than flowers. A little slow-release balanced fertilizer at the time of planting will be sufficient.
Pruning
If you’re growing gazanias as a perennial, prune them in late winter or early spring. During the plant’s second season and if necessary, you can cut back the foliage to a couple of inches above the ground.
Propagation
Although normally grown from commercial seeds or nursery seedlings, it is possible to propagate gazanias by taking basal cuttings in the fall and overwintering them indoors.
- Using a sharp knife or pruners, take several cuttings of areas around the base of the plant where new growth is forming (each with three to five shoots).
- Plant them in pots filled with good-quality potting soil.
- Keep the basal cuttings growing indoors in a bright location.
- Transplant the cuttings outdoors in spring.
How to Grow From Seed
If you grow your gazanias from seed, start them indoors about 10 weeks before the average last frost date in your area.
- Plant seeds in cell trays filled with seed-starting mix.
- Cover the seeds with a thin layer of mix or vermiculite.
- Keep them moist throughout the germination and transplant stage.
- Harden them off and set them outdoors two weeks after the average last frost.
If you prefer no-fuss seed starting, try sowing gazania seeds directly in the garden.
- After all danger of frost has passed, sprinkle the seeds in an area of raked soil.
- Scatter handfuls of soil to cover the seeds, as darkness helps to trigger germination.
- Keep the area moist (not wet) until germination takes place.
Potting and Repotting
Gazanias shine in containers on your deck or patio, where they will attract butterflies for up-close observation. Growing gazanias in pots is also an excellent solution if your soil is heavy.
If desired, plant gazanias at the edge of the pot so their trailing habit softens the container’s edges. Plant your gazanias in containers with a companion planting of lantana, which has similar growing conditions and complementary colors.
Overwintering
Gazanias are adaptable enough to overwinter indoors, so you won’t need to purchase new plants or seeds for the next growing season. You can dig up the plant in the fall before the first frost. Plant it in pots filled with potting mix and large enough to accommodate the roots. Make sure the pots have large drain holes. Cut the plants back by about two thirds.
Keep the pots in a cool, sunny window. Water when the soil surface is dry. Gazanias go dormant and won’t need much water but check the plants regularly for pests like mealybugs that may proliferate on indoor specimens.
Pests and Diseases
Gazanias are largely trouble-free, although overly moist soils can lead to rot. Powdery mildew can be a problem in humid environments, and mealybugs sometimes infest the plants.
Maintenance
Gazania rigens is a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plant that is well-suited for hot, dry conditions. Here are some tips for taking care of Gazania rigens:
- Plant Gazania rigens in well-draining soil in a location that receives full sun.
- Water the plants regularly, but allow the soil to dry out between watering. Overwatering can lead to root rot.
- Apply a balanced fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
- Deadhead (remove spent flowers) regularly to encourage new blooms.
- Protect Gazania from heavy rain and strong winds, which can damage the flowers.
- Gazania rigens is generally resistant to pests and diseases, but it may be prone to fungal infections if the soil is constantly wet or the plant is overcrowded. Be sure to space the plants adequately and avoid over-watering to prevent this.
III. Uses and Benefits
Gazania rigens is a flowering plant native to South Africa. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant for its bright, daisy-like flowers and ability to thrive in sunny, dry conditions.
Some common uses for Gazania rigens include:
- Landscaping: Gazania rigens are often used as a ground cover or border plant in gardens and landscaped areas. It is drought-tolerant and requires little maintenance, making it a popular choice for xeriscaping (landscaping with plants that require minimal water).
- Containers: Gazania rigens can also be grown in pots or containers, making it a suitable choice for those with limited space or for adding a splash of colour to balconies or patios.
- Cut flowers: The bright, cheerful flowers of Gazania rigens make it a popular choice for cut flowers. The flowers last well in arrangements and can be dried in long-lasting bouquets.
- Pollinators: Gazania rigens flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making them a good choice for gardens that support wildlife.
Find Where to Buy the Best Treasure Flower, Gazania (Gazania rigens)
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