As far as cold season gardening in South Africa goes, few things add a pop of winter colour to your garden as well as gazanias do, or as we proudly call them: African daisies (Osteospermums). Originating right from our shores, African daisies are low-growing evergreen perennial shrubs with striking daisy-like flowers. These beauts are widely loved for the range of sunset hues that they come in – think a kaleidoscope of purples, yellows, oranges, reds and pinks.

But it’s not just the splash of colour they add to flower beds that make these indigenous flowers a top choice for cold season gardening; they’re also waterwise (particularly useful during the Cape summers and Gauteng winters), and quite easy to maintain.

Whether working with oodles of space or a compact container garden, they can easily slot right in to your home and make their presence known with their eye-catching blooms.

Want to learn more about how to make gazanias a mainstay in your garden? Here’s our guide for how to grow African daisies at home.

African daisies: indigenous plants ideal for low-maintenance gardens

If you are short on time, or new to gardening, low-maintenance gardening is probably best suited to your lifestyle. But that doesn’t mean it needs to be boring. And with African daisies in your garden – it’ll be anything but boring.

They’re not demanding, and are quite resilient, perfectly suited to our climate. Here is inspiration for some other low-maintenance plants that are ideal for novice gardeners.

Why Gazanias are perfect for beginners

Making a small effort to keep these drought-tolerant flowers happy will reward you with beautiful spring blooms that make a statement in your flowerbed. All they need is a spot in full sun, organically rich soil, and some light occasional watering.

Being perennials, they come back year after year for up to 3 years when grown in their preferred environment, making them an easy starter plant for beginners.

When and where to plant Gazanias

African daisies are one of the best flowering plants for sunny gardens. Plant them in full sun, in soil with good drainage, and they’ll thrive, sprouting flowers that open and close in response to the changing light of night and day.

These indigenous flowers work best in rockeries, borders and flower beds, adding an accent of colour and definition to these spaces.

The best time to plant African daisies is in August, right before the spring season, when they put on their show of colour in your indigenous garden. Be sure to grow them in combination with other plants that will have visual interest in the peak of summer, as these indigenous flowers stop blooming during hot spells. 

Gazania watering and care tips

As local floral legends, African daisies are members of the drought-tolerant flowers club, making them a water-wise favourite.

As part of your gazania care, ensure yours get about 2.5 centimetres of water each week to help them grow their best. Be careful to avoid overwatering these plants to prevent root rot. Read this guide to find out how else to keep your plants’ roots healthy.

Gazanias in containers

Live in a smaller space, or an apartment? You’re in luck because African daisies can just as easily thrive in containers as they do in the ground.

Ensure that they are spaced well enough apart, in nutrient-rich soil, and before you know it you’ll proudly be showing these indigenous flowers off to friends and family.

Grow your African daisies

At your local Stodels garden centre, you can find a range of beautiful spring flowers to welcome to season, including African daisies. For spades, potting soil, and any gardening advice, you’re always in good hands, with gardening experts available for your queries. Happy planting!