Native to South Africa, Gazania linearis is an 8-10 inch tall mat-forming or clumping perennial with showy daisy-like flowers. It has oval to linear-shaped leaves that are dark green with woolly undersides. The 3 inch flower heads mature to tufts of hairy seeds as the petals die back.
Gazania plant care does not involve much of anything, other than watering. Although they’re drought resistant, expect more and bigger blooms when you water. Even drought resistant flowers benefit from water, but the Gazania takes droughty conditions better than most.
These flowers can tolerate almost any type of soil — alkaline, acidic, loam, clay, and sand — as long as they have good drainage, though they prefer good, fertile loam. Water the Gazania, keeping it moist after planting until you see new growth.
Cut gazania back to one-third to half its height if the plant looks tired and spindly in midsummer. Blooming will be delayed temporarily, but the healthier, rejuvenated plant soon will rebound for continued blooming until the end of the season.
Keep the soil evenly moist, out of direct sunlight and at a temperature of 68°-86° degrees Fahrenheit. Seedlings should emerge within a week or two.
Not recorded as toxic. Commonly called the treasure flower, Gazania linearis is a cold hardy plant that does well in USDA Zones 4 to 8. Easily grown in sandy to average, well-drained soils, it requires full sun with moderate moisture. This plant has glossy mounds of deep green leaves.
