What do Gerbera Daisies Need?

Light

• Gerbera daisies are light-loving plants. For the best results, plant them in full sun. If your plant is indoors, place the pot in or near a sunny window during daylight hours. Indoor plants will also benefit from artificial light, such as grow lights. The more sun they get, the longer your gerbera daisies will last and the better they will look.

Water

• Gerbera daisies need more water when they are in bloom than when they are not. A gerbera daisy in bloom needs to stay moist. This means you may need to water your plant several times each week, especially during dry weather and the warmer months. Do not spray water on the head or petals of the flower. If your gerbera daisy is planted in a pot, make sure it is well drained. Use a pot with a hole on the bottom and put rocks under the soil to help it drain. A gerbera daisy that is not blooming can withstand a few days of dryness.

Weather

• Gerbera daisies like warm weather, but they don't like it hot. They thrive in temperatures around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures in the nineties and above can cause a gerbera daisy to stop blooming and possibly wilt. In extremely hot temperatures, provide some shade during the hottest hours of the day and make sure your plant gets plenty of water. Once temperatures begin to turn cold and reach below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, they will likely die. Gerbera daisies are annual plants, so they will not grow back when the temperature turns warm again.

Fertlizer

• For bigger, brighter blooms that last all season long, fertilize your gerbera daisies twice each month. Use a water-based fertilizer designed especially for flowering plants.

Grooming

• Gerbera daisies are susceptible to gray mold and rot from dead foliage. Remove wilted flower heads as soon as they begin to die. Also, survey the ground near your plants several times each week and pick up any fallen leaves or petals. Leave 6 to 12 inches between plants to allow for better air circulation in your garden.