With their vibrant colors and striking blooms, African daisies make a gorgeous addition to any garden. If you’re looking to add these beauties to your outdoor space, you’re in luck – many retailers offer African daisy plants for sale. Here’s what you need to know about these showy plants and where to find African daisies for your garden
What Are African Daisies?
African daisies belong to the genus Osteospermum, which contains over 30 species native to southern and tropical Africa. Also called Cape daisies or blue-eyed daisies, they produce lush daisy-like blooms in shades of purple, pink, orange, yellow, white, and bicolor.
The flowers have a central purple eye and showy centers bursting with tiny disc florets. The blossoms emerge singly or in clusters atop compact, mounded foliage. African daisies bloom spring through fall in warm climates but take a break during the hottest summer months.
These heat-loving perennials or subshrubs grow 12-24 inches tall and 1-3 feet wide. They thrive in full sun and prefer sandy, well-draining soil. Established plants have good drought tolerance. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers.
Popular African daisy varieties include
- Zion Series – Vibrant bicolor blooms in shades of copper, red, and purple
- Summerdaisy Series – Large, 3-4” flowers in sunset hues
- Margarita Series – Classic daisy blooms in purple, pink, yellow, and more
- Asti Series – Profuse blooms in lavender, purple, and white
- 3D and 4D Series – Fully double, rose-like blooms
Where to Find African Daisy Plants for Sale
You can find African daisy plants at many online and local sources, Here are some top places to shop for these stunning bloomers
Online Retailers
Online retailers offer convenience and selection when shopping for African daisies. Reputable online nurseries ship healthy, robust plants straight to your door. Look for those that guarantee live arrival.
GrowJoy – Offers the widest selection of African daisy varieties, from the Zion to the Summerdaisy series. Grown without pesticides and guaranteed to arrive in good health.
Bluestone Perennials – Carries a nice selection of Margarita and Zion African daisies. Free shipping on orders over $75.
Joyful Butterfly – Sells unique African daisy varieties alongside helpful growing information. Free shipping on orders over $99.
Nature Hills Nursery – Features popular series like Summerdaisy, Asti, and Margarita. Bulk discounts available.
Local Garden Centers
Visit your local independent garden centers in spring to find African daisies in stock. These small businesses offer great customer service and helpful advice.
Farmers Markets
Farmer’s markets are a nice spot to score African daisy starter plants from local growers. Look for vendors selling annuals and perennials.
Big Box Stores
Large home improvement chains like Home Depot and Lowe’s stock a standard selection of African daisies in spring and fall. Inventory is limited but plants are affordably priced.
Mail Order Nurseries
Order from mail order nurseries like White Flower Farm, Wayside Gardens, or Spring Hill Nurseries to have African daisy plants delivered to your mailbox. These companies ship nationwide.
DIY Propagation
If you or a gardening friend already grow African daisies, take stem cuttings in summer to propagate more plants for free. Root the cuttings in soil or water.
How to Plant and Grow African Daisies
Once you’ve acquired some African daisy plants, it’s time to get them in the ground! Follow these tips for successfully growing these colorful bloomers:
Sun and Soil – Choose a spot with full sun (at least 6 hours per day) and sandy, fast-draining soil. Amend dense clay soils with compost.
Planting Time – Transplant African daisies outside after the last frost in spring, once nighttime temperatures remain above 50°F.
Spacing – Allow 12-18 inches between plants to prevent overcrowding.
Watering – Water thoroughly after planting and provide 1-2 inches of water per week during the first summer. Established plants are quite drought tolerant.
Fertilizer – Apply a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer or slow-release granular fertilizer at planting time. Fertilize established plants every 6-8 weeks during the growing season.
Pruning – Pinch off spent flower heads to promote more blooms. Shear plants by 1/3 after the first flush of flowers fade to encourage bushy growth.
Overwintering – In zones 8-10, African daisies may survive winter outdoors. In colder climates, dig up plants and overwinter them indoors.
Pests/Diseases – African daisies are not prone to serious issues. Aphids, whiteflies, and powdery mildew may occur but are easily managed.
With a bit of TLC, African daisies will reward you with months of vivid color in the garden. Their compact size makes them great for borders, containers, rock gardens, and more. Plant a few varieties together for a seamless color transition from spring through fall.
The Best African Daisy Varieties
With so many varieties on the market, it can be tough deciding which African daisies to plant. Here are some top picks across the color spectrum:
Purple
Zion Violet Flame – Vibrant violet-purple and white bicolor blooms. Grows 18 inches tall.
Asti Purple – Prolific purple blossoms with yellow centers. Compact at 10 inches tall.
Margarita Purple – Rich royal purple flowers with yellow centers. Reblooms spring through fall.
Orange
Summerdaisy Dark Orange – 3-4” sunset-orange flowers. Vigorous grower to 24”.
Zion Copper Amethyst – Large copper-orange and white bicolors. 18” tall.
Margarita Tangerine – Abundant tangerine-orange blooms from spring to fall.
Pink
Margarita Pink Flare – Bold pink petals with yellow centers. Mounded habit to 18”.
Summerdaisy Clear Pink – Prolific soft pink 3-4” blooms. Grows 20” tall.
Zion Red – Striking burgundy-red and white bicolor flowers.
Yellow
Summerdaisy Lemon – Sunny lemon-yellow 3-4” blooms. Vigorous growth to 24”.
Margarita Yellow – Cheerful lemon-yellow blossoms, 10-12” tall.
Zion Chiffon – Pale lemon and white bicolor flowers. Grows 14” tall.
White
Asti White – Floriferous white daisies with yellow centers all season. 10” tall.
Margarita White – Classic white daisy blooms with yellow centers. Profuse rebloomer.
Summerdaisy White – Abundant large white flowers from spring to fall. 18” tall.
Blue
Blue Eyed Beauty – Unique sky-blue flowers with golden centers. Long blooming period.
With vibrant colors, generous blooms, and easy care, African daisies bring nonstop garden joy. Visit GrowJoy to find the widest selection of African daisy plants for sale online, with new and exciting varieties every year. We grow and ship our plants with care to ensure they arrive healthy and ready to thrive in your outdoor space.
Osteospernum – African Daisy – Fabulous Bogo Sale!
FAQ
What month do you plant African Daisies?
Where is the best place to plant African daisy?
Do African Daisies multiply?
How much do African Daisies spread?
What are African daisy flowers?
Whichever African daisy varieties you choose, the beautiful and brightly colored flowers are sure to add some vibrant life around your home. The Osteospermum 4D silver has bright white petals that have an almost silver tint to them. The centers on these flowers are a lavender purple which contrasts nicely against the white petals.
What is a South African daisy?
African daisies are scientifically known as Osteospermum and are a part of the Asteraceae family. The Asteraceae family consists primarily of other daisy varieties and is one of the largest flowering plant families. You might come across other common names of this plant such as Cape marguerite, Cape daisy, South African daisy, and blue-eyed daisy.
Are African daisies perennial plants?
African daisies are flowering plants from the sunflower and daisy family, Calenduleae, and include approximately 50 species. They are also known as South African, Cape, or blue-eyed daisies. All plants in the African daisy species are perennials. However, they do not like freezing conditions.
What do African daisies look like?
They say the flowers on the African daisy look like fake flowers or dyed flowers. The colors are exceptionally vibrant and eye-catching and come in pinks, purples, whites, yellows, and some multi-color combinations of these colors. The blooms on most varieties will start in mid-spring, with the peak being late spring to early summer.
Can African daisies grow in shade?
African daisies grow best in full sun, and while they can grow in light shade, they will produce fewer flowers. A partially-shaded location may be an option for your African daisies, but you may reduce the number of blooms you receive by doing so. Many African daisy varieties will close up their flowers overnight, storing energy for the next day.