Spreading South African subshrub with grey-green leaves and abundant large white, pink, or purple daisy flowers with distinctive blue or violet central discs from spring through autumn.
Hardiness ratings
| System | Rating | Temperature range | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA hardiness zone | Zone 9–11 | −6.7 °C to 10 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| RHS hardiness rating | H3 | −5 °C to 1 °C | Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance |
| Canadian plant hardiness zone | Zone 9 | −1 °C and warmer | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| Australian (ANBG) zone | Zone 3–7 | −5 °C and warmer | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
About Cape daisy (African daisy)
The Cape daisy is South African, and like many daisies from that flora its flowers close at night and in dull weather, opening again in sun — which is why a plant that looked spectacular at midday can appear bare on an overcast morning. Older varieties would not flower reliably in cool conditions, and much of the modern breeding effort has gone into extending the flowering period. The genus is closely related to Dimorphotheca, and the two are frequently confused in nurseries. It is drought-tolerant once established and resents heavy, wet soil.
Growing notes
- Native to the highveld and Eastern Cape regions of South Africa
- Parent species of the modern Osteospermum hybrid range (Soprano, Voltage, Serenity series) widely sold as bedding
- Drought tolerant — flowers continuously in dry conditions, sulks in damp shade
- Flowers close in dull weather — full sun essential
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Related plants
Cross-check Cape daisy (African daisy) against your zones