The Gerbera daisy (Gerbera jamesonii), a member of the sunflower family native to the South African Transvaal region, can thrive in a variety of conditions despite its reputation as a difficult species. Outdoor plants in U.S. Department of Agriculture cold hardiness zones 7 to 9, indoor potted plants and cut flowers alike are prone to drooping, but with regular maintenance, Gerbera jamesonii stems can stand firm. This large-flowered plant was originally named for its discoverer, Robert Jameson, in 1880, though many of its garden cultivars were not developed until the 1970s at the University of California at Davis. Today, California and Florida produce most of the Gerbera daisy cut flowers in the United States.
Potted or Planted Flowers
Repot daisies that have outgrown their original pots, as they are likely root-bound. Plant the daisies at a higher level than their original depth, exposing the top part of the crown so that it dries out easily after watering. Use a potting mix that is half peat moss and half perlite.
Repot or transplant daisies planted close with other varieties, as they do not compete well for nutrients. Drooping is often an indication of nutrient stress.
Increase the sun exposure for gerbera daisies kept indoors, either moving them outside for a few hours each day or putting them near a sunnier window.
Improve watering conditions. Too much or too little water is a common cause of drooping or wilting. Water plants once early in the day, soaking the soil, but let the plant and soil surface dry off before nighttime to reduce the chance of disease. Wet soil also causes root death.
Keep daisies in temperatures between 40 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, with a nighttime temperature no higher than 65 degrees F. If temperatures are higher, increase the amount of water given daily, but not the frequency.
Test the soil pH, using a soil testing kit. A pH of 5.5 to 6.2 is ideal. If the soil pH is too high, apply iron chelate. If it is too low, apply calcium nitrate or magnesium sulfate. Test the soil again after a few weeks.
Treat daisies with fertilizer to improve their health. Use a low-ammonium fertilizer, such as 15-16-17 or 15-15-18, using 1 teaspoon per gallon of water once every 2 weeks.
Set cut daisy stems in a wide, not tall, vase so that most of the water collects low at the bottom. Deep water tends to cause rot in cut stems.
Watch for stem softening near the bottom, which causes drooping. Snip the softened part of the stem away to reinvigorate it.
Keep cut daisies away from all fruits, which produce damaging ethylene gas.
Large planting pots
Soil testing kit
Iron chelate or calcium nitrate
Stout, wide vase
Things You Will Need
- Flower Confidential; Amy Stewart
- North Dakota State University: Questions on Daisy
- Virginia Cooperative Extension: Care of Specialty Potted Plants
- Auburn University: Gerbera Daisy
- Floridata: Gerbera Jamesonii
- Alabama Cooperative Extension: Greenhouse Production of Gerbera Daisies
- University of California Integrated Pest Management: Gerbera Daisy