Few plants are as beautiful and attention-grabbing as a Gerbera Daisy. As soon as you see one of these, you won’ be able to take your eyes off it. More interestingly, it will thrive in almost any environment.
While taking this gorgeous flowering plant into your butterfly garden is probably a great idea, it is inside your house that it will stand out the most. Its unique colors and beauty will boost any room’s appeal without taking too much effort.
That’s why we want to show you how to grow Gerbera Daisy in pots. Whether you want to place it in your patio or living room – we know exactly how to make it happen. Check below and learn!
What is a Gerbera Daisy?
The Gerbera Daisy is scientifically known as the “Gerbera jamesonii.” It can grow to 18 inches in height, produce red, yellow, pink, or white flowers, and bloom consistently throughout the year. Some plants can produce 3 or 4 flowers at once.
Suffice to say, the plant is gorgeous. Not only because of the flowers but also for the light foliage that boasts a soft green.
Despite its beauty, the plant only lasts 2 or 3 years. Luckily, it grows in almost any tropical environment and requires little care to thrive.
The plant is supposedly native to Asia, Africa, and South America. Because of that, you can find it practically anywhere with a tropical environment nowadays.
If you want to grow it at home, you’ll find it incredibly satisfying both for its looks and the little care it demands.
How to Grow Gerbera Daisy in Pots
Now that you’re aware of everything a Gerbera Daisy requires. We’re going to explain two methods below, so you can learn which one fits better with your demands. Take a look:
#1. Pick Between Seeds & Divisions
There are two ways to grow Gerbera daisies. One is via seeds. This process typically takes between 15 to 30 days and about 15 more days for the plant to sprout.
For divisions, you will need a small seedling with a healthy root (crown and body.) This process is a lot easier and faster, ensuring the growth almost right away.
Growing from seeds means you’ll have to wait up to 24 weeks for the flowers to appear. A division will only take 6 to 10 weeks.
#2. Germinate the Seeds First
If you decide to go for seed planting, start in the right season. This means planting the seeds in summer or fall (or 6 months before the next Spring.)
You will need a soilless mix for the germination. Generally, a combination of vermiculite, perlite, or peat moss should get the job done. We recommend doing this in a seed tray instead of a pot.
Once you’ve prepared the germinating mix, use a pencil to open a 0.25-inch-deep hole. Place the seed inside. The pointed section of the seed should be face down. Every part of the seed should be covered entirely in the mix.
The focus is to let the seeds to germinate for about 1 month before transplanting the sprout. While the month passes, you will have to keep the mix moist by watering daily. Also, keep the seed tray in a warm environment of no less than 70 degrees Fahrenheit and 8-hour sunlight exposure a day.
#3. Let the Seeds Grow
The seeds should start germinating after a month. This often means you will get a seedling with one leaf. But this is not enough for transplanting.
You will have to wait for the plant to develop two sets of leaves (4 leaves). When the seedling has these two leaves, then you can start thinking of getting rid of the seed tray to plant directly on the pot.
This step is also worth considering when planting from divisions. You will need a sprout that has a healthy root, but more importantly, two sets of leaves ready to keep growing.
#4. Prepare the Potting Soil
Whether you started from seed or you’re transplanting a division, you will need an ideal soil. Now it’s time to prepare it.
As recommended, this soil needs to be well-draining and nutrient-rich. For that reason, we recommend finding sandy soil with sufficient compost or manure. It’s typically a great option to mix one-third of manure with the potting soil you’re using.
If the soil in your area is filled with clay, don’t use it. Making your own potting soil should be a better alternative, focusing on high sand concentration for better drainage.
Now you can proceed to fill the pot with the potting soil. Fill it up to above 75% of the way. This should be enough for the Gerbera to fit in and thrive without limitations.
#5. Plant the Gerbera Daisy
It’s time to get the Gerbera Daisy into the soil. This should be the last step before the plant starts blooming sooner or later.
First, open a small hole where you can place the root. This hole should be anywhere from 2 to 5 inches deep. It shouldn’t be too broad, though. As long as the root fits in, that’s enough.
Place the seedling or division in the whole. Make sure half of the crown is left out of the soil. The root ball should be entirely covered. Now fill the hole with the dirt around and compact it.
The plant is ready to start growing.
#6. Water & Fertilizer Consistently
You want the Gerbera Daisy to keep growing effortlessly from now on. For that, you’ll have to ensure proper fertilization and watering.
This is why we recommend keeping the soil moist. Not soggy that could cause rot, but relatively moist so the plant can feed itself consistently without stopping. To prevent issues, water once a week or whenever the soil starts to dry (don’t let it dry.)
As for fertilization, you will only need to use a mild liquid fertilizer on the soil once a month. This will keep the soil nutrient-rich and ensure consistent blooming.
#7. Remove Old Flowers & Leaves
Even though this plant’s flowers and timid leaves are not too invasive and won’t overgrow the pot quickly, it is worth pruning them when they get old.
Especially the flowers, they tend to get old but not fall. This prevents the growth of new ones. That’s why getting rid of them is an excellent idea.
Be aware that each flower lasts between 8 and 14 days. If more time than that has passed, then it’s worth cutting them down.
The same happens with the leaves. They die over time, browning and wilting away. Cutting them off will ensure growth of healthy leaves.
#8. Repot When Necessary
While a 12-inch pot should be enough to host the plant until it dies, you may want to change it if you chose anything smaller than that. Sooner or later, you’ll notice how the Gerbera outgrows the pot when the leaves start to hang out of the diameter.
Luckily, repotting the Gerbera is not much work. You just need to make sure the new pot has proper drainage, and it is larger than the first one. As little as 3 inches of extra size should be enough for the plant to thrive going forward.
Plant following the above step: open a 2-inch hole, insert the root, cover the root ball, leave half of the crown out, and then fill. Compact a bit, and you’ll be ready.
Types of Gerbera Daisy to Consider
Believe it or not, the Gerbera Daisy varies in colors, size, and appearance depending on the variety you pick. Here are some of them to consider:
1. Standard Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
It was the first type of Gerbera recorded and the one that eventually took the world by storm. This flower typically boasts a white, red, pink, yellow, or orange tone with purple shades.
One exciting part of this popular daisy is the multiple layers of petals. Along with a bushy head, it produces a denser flower compared to other Gerbera daisies.
2. White Gerbera (Gerbera viridifiola)
The second most common type of Gerbera daisy produces white-petal flowers with a yellow, pink, or reddish head. This makes it look lighter and simpler.
Because the flowers are not as bushy, they tend to grow larger than other species (over 20 inches in height), and each plant can produce 3 flowers at once.
3. Hybrid Gerbera (Gerbera × hybrida)
Also producing several layers of petals, the Hybrid Gerbera combines the “Gerbera jamesonii” and the “Gerbera viridifiola.”
The exciting part of this variety is the colors. You can find it purely yellow, red, white, or pink. But some flowers grow with two shades at once.
4. Hilton Daisy (Gerbera aurantiaca)
The least common but still attractive Hilton Daisy is a gorgeous variety with thinner petals than the usual Gerbera. It can be red, but you can also find flowers going from scarlet to orange and even yellow shades.
This variety can grow with a black flower center. In some cases, the flower grows to over 20 inches tall.
What does the Gerbera Daisy Need?
Regardless of the exact species you pick, you will need to ensure almost the same things. Here’s a list of what this flower demands:
Soil & Fertilizer
Because you’re using a pot for the Gerbera Daisy, you’ll need decent potting soil. This often means a slightly acidic mix between 5.5 and 6.5 pH, nutrient-rich, and high organic matter.
You can use a regular potting soil mix, but we recommend making it a bit sandy. This will retain more moisture and ensure a humid environment where the Gerbera Daisy can thrive.
Apart from that, this soil should be well-drained. While it’s essential to retain some moisture, it shouldn’t stay for too long. For that reason, you want soil that doesn’t let water stagnate.
Water & Humidity
A medium-moist soil is ideal for the plant to thrive. This is especially true for growing outdoors, where the soil dries up faster.
As you’re using pots to grow the Gerbera, you won’t have to water too much. However, it’s still worth watering as soon as the soil dries up. This often means once or twice a day.
In short, try to keep the soil moist but not damp. Otherwise, the plant may rot or get sick.
Light & Air
As a flowering plant, few things matter more than proper sun exposure for the Gerbera. Generally, a full-sun or partial-shade environment is ideal for the plant. This means you need to ensure at least 6 hours of consistent sunlight a day.
It prefers morning and late afternoon sun rays because of the light intensity. Scorching sunlight from midday tends to cause slight damage to the foliage and flowers themselves.
If growing indoors away from natural sunlight, you can always use growing lights without a problem.
Temperature & Environment
As a tropical perennial, the Gerbera Daisy prefers frost-free environments. Anywhere with long winters or months of cold won’t be ideal for the plant. However, it can still thrive in environments between 30 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit as long as they don’t last much.
Because of its broad temperature resistance, you can grow it indoors or outdoors. Having said that, the ideal temperature would start at 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. You could say it is a warm-environment plant, and you wouldn’t be wrong.
What Pot to Use with a Gerbera Daisy?
One of the most important things to consider when growing Gerbera Daisy in pots is what type you’re using. Luckily, it is not hard to pick. The plant will grow almost anywhere as long as it has proper drainage. Here are some factors to consider:
Size
You won’t need more than 12 inches in diameter for the plant to grow to its fullest. Because it is not a dense-foliage plant that spreads too much, a 12-inch pot or smaller should get the job done. Smaller pots should be ideal if you’re thinking of moving the plant around.
Material
There’s no limit to the material you can use for a Gerbera Daisy. As long as it can host the potting soil without causing any damage, you’ll be well off. We still recommend clay pots for their ability to allow proper drainage while still providing sufficient humidity.
Drainage
The most crucial part of the pot should be its drainage. Only consider pots with drainage holes below that prevent any water stagnation. If the pot you pick doesn’t have any holes, open them yourself. Either way, don’t plant until you have the holes ready.
Conclusion
As soon as you start growing a Gerbera Daisy in pots, you’ll realize how relatively straightforward the process is. While it seems a bit complicated at first, it is nothing like that.
But nothing will compare to the moment when the plant starts blooming. Each flower is as gorgeous as you can expect, making any patio or indoor space a much more attractive place to be.
If you want to enjoy everything this plant has to offer, follow our advice above and grow it like an expert. Don’t let its beauty intimidate you and grow a Gerbera Daisy now!