Gazania

Family: Asteraceae

Genus: Gazania

Species: splendens

History

Gazania is a sun-loving flower from South Africa, known for its radiant, daisy-like blooms that close in shade. It was brought to Australia for erosion control and later embraced in gardens for its drought tolerance. Gazanias offer bold, brilliant colour even in tough conditions.

Sowing Calendar

Best Months to Plant – Gazania
Climate ZoneJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Cool/Mountain✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
Temperate✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
Arid✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
Subtropical✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
Tropical✓✓✓✓✓
Cool/Mountain – Gazania
MethodJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Start in trays✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
Plant out transplants✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
Direct sow✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
Temperate – Gazania
MethodJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Start in trays✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
Plant out transplants✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
Direct sow✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
Arid – Gazania
MethodJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Start in trays✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
Plant out transplants✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
Direct sow✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
Subtropical – Gazania
MethodJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Start in trays✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
Plant out transplants✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
Direct sow✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
Tropical – Gazania
MethodJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Start in trays✓✓✓✓✓
Plant out transplants✓✓✓✓✓
Direct sow✓✓✓✓✓

Where to Plant

Edges

Edges
• Narrow growing spaces along borders, fences, or pathways
• Perfect for low-growing or decorative plants like alyssum or herbs
• Helps soften garden boundaries and attract beneficial insects
• Makes efficient use of underutilised garden space

Borders & Companion Rows

Borders & Companion Rows
• Found along the edges of garden beds, paths, or between main crops
• Ideal for herbs, flowers, or pest-repelling plants that support the main crop
• Helps attract pollinators and beneficial insects
• Makes good use of smaller spaces and improves overall garden health

Vertical Supports & Trellises

Vertical Supports & Trellises
• Structures used to support climbing or vining plants such as beans or cucumbers
• Maximise vertical space and improve air circulation
• Useful in small gardens to increase planting density
• Can also provide shade or act as garden partitions

Containers & Pots

Containers & Pots
• Portable planting vessels suited for patios, balconies, and small areas
• Provide complete control over soil composition and drainage
• Great for herbs, greens, compact vegetables, or ornamental plants
• Allow plants to be moved to follow sun, shade, or seasonal conditions

Pre-treatment

None Identified

There are no pre treatments required for germination.

Sowing Method

Start in Trays

• Fill seed trays or punnets with quality seed-raising mix
• Sow seeds at the correct depth—refer to seed packet for guidance
• Place trays in a warm, sheltered location with good light
• Mist or bottom-water to avoid disturbing small seeds
• Transplant seedlings once they develop 2–4 true leaves

Direct Sow

• Sow seeds directly into prepared garden soil or outdoor containers
• Best for plants that dislike transplanting, such as root vegetables and beans
• Loosen soil and remove weeds before sowing
• Sow at the recommended depth and spacing, then water gently
• Keep the area moist until germination and thin seedlings if needed

Watering

Medium

• Benefits from regular watering, especially during active growth or flowering
• Soil should remain moist but not soggy—allow topsoil to dry slightly between waterings
• Ideal for most vegetables, herbs, and flowering annuals
• More frequent watering may be needed during hot or windy weather
• A layer of mulch can reduce water loss and improve consistency

Fertilisation

Frost

Frost Tolerant

These plants can tolerate light to moderate frosts and may survive through cooler seasons.

Maintenance and Harvesting

Gazanias need deadheading and minimal water once established. Trim back leggy stems and remove faded foliage. They thrive in full sun and benefit from occasional light pruning.

Pests and Diseases

Aphids

Aphids are tiny, soft-bodied insects that cluster on new growth and the undersides of leaves. They suck sap from plants, causing leaves to curl, yellow or become distorted. As they feed, they excrete sticky honeydew that encourages sooty mould, and colonies can build quickly in warm weather.

Start with organic controls: blast colonies off with a firm jet of water, encourage beneficial insects like ladybirds and lacewings, and spray neem oil or insecticidal soap to disrupt feeding. Keep plants well watered and avoid excess nitrogen that promotes soft growth. If pressure remains high, selective chemical sprays can be used sparingly, taking care to protect pollinators and beneficials.

Leaf spot

Leaf spot describes several fungal or bacterial diseases that create dark, often round lesions on foliage—sometimes with yellow halos. Severe infections cause premature leaf drop and reduced vigour, especially during warm, wet spells or when leaves stay damp.

Reduce spread by removing infected leaves, watering at the base, and spacing plants for airflow. Mulch to limit soil splash and rotate crops. Organic preventatives include copper and sulfur sprays applied early. If disease escalates, registered fungicides offer a chemical backup.

Crown / root rot (Wet)

Crown and root rots are caused by water‑loving fungi that attack stems at the soil line and roots below. Plants yellow, wilt, and eventually collapse because their roots can no longer supply water and nutrients—most common in heavy, waterlogged soils.

Prevention is key: improve drainage, raise beds, and water deeply but less often. Avoid injuring stems at the soil line and rotate away from affected beds. Solarising soil in summer can knock back pathogens. Chemical drenches have limited benefit in home gardens and are best used preventatively rather than curatively.

Powdery mildew

Powdery mildew appears as a white, talc‑like coating on leaves and stems. It thrives in warm days, cool nights, and still air, and can weaken plants by reducing photosynthesis, leading to yellowing and early leaf drop.

Prune for airflow, avoid overhead watering, and remove badly affected foliage. Organic sprays such as milk solution, potassium bicarbonate, sulfur, or neem help suppress outbreaks. Chemical fungicides are effective when started early, but use sparingly to preserve beneficial organisms.

Thrips

Thrips are slender insects that rasp and suck plant tissues, leaving silvery streaks and distorted growth on leaves and flowers. They can also transmit plant viruses.

Use blue or yellow sticky traps to monitor and reduce numbers, weed around beds, and encourage beneficials like minute pirate bugs. Neem oil and insecticidal soap offer organic suppression. If needed, use registered insecticides and rotate modes of action to avoid resistance.

Growing Tips

• Gazania may grow leggy in shade; provide more sun and trim to keep compact.
• Gazania can struggle in heavy, waterlogged soils; improve drainage and avoid over-watering.
• Gazania performs best with steady moisture and regular harvesting to promote new growth.

Browse Gazania Seeds