Maintaining Gerbera Daisies: Light, Water, Temperature & Arrangement Tips

Gerbera daisies (Gerbera hybrida, cross of G. jamesonii and G. viridifolia) are long-lasting, satiny-petaled showstoppers in yellow, orange, white, cream, red, pink, purple, lilac, brown, salmon, and bi/multicolors. Named for German naturalist Traugott Gerber, they attract bees, butterflies, and birds.

Growing Conditions

• Fertilizer: Water-soluble, every 2 weeks during active growth/bloom.
• Temperature: Average to cool; heat stops blooming.
• Propagation: Seeds take 6 months to bloom.
• Repotting: Greenhouse plants in spring.
• Water: Evenly moist when blooming; slightly dry between watering post-bloom.
• Light: Full sun for long bloom; artificial light helps.
• Humidity: Average; mist foliage 1–2×/week in winter (avoid open blooms).
• Grooming: Remove faded leaves/flowers/stems; no leaf shine products.
• Soil: Well-drained, high-quality peat-based potting mix.
• Pests: Healthy, sun-grown plants resist pests. Weak plants may get aphids, whiteflies, leaf spots, spider mites—use insecticides per label.

Cut Flower Care

• Clean vase, cool water.
• Trim stems underwater at 45° daily.
• Add 1 tsp sugar per vase, or 2 drops bleach per gallon.
• Keep in cool corner, away from sun, wind, heat.
• Change water daily.

Troubleshooting

• High heat → wilting; low heat → black leaves.
• Cold water → dark leaf patches.
• Too wet/dry → brown, drying leaves.
• Overwet → fatal crown rot.
• White mildew → too cool, excess moisture.

Buy plants just starting to bloom with multiple buds. With ideal conditions, blooms last 6+ weeks. Transplant outdoors in early summer for continued flowering until frost.