Hello! I am an Osteospermum, though you might call me an African Daisy. To be my happiest self, I need a very sunny spot. Please place me where I can bask in at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. This abundant sunshine fuels my vibrant blooms and keeps my foliage strong. While I adore the sun, I am not a fan of strong, chilling winds. A location that offers me some protection from harsh gusts will prevent my stems from breaking and allow me to focus my energy on putting on a spectacular floral show for you.
My relationship with water is one of moderation. When I am first settling into my new home, I need consistent moisture to help my roots establish themselves. Once I am comfortable, I am quite drought-tolerant. The key is to water me deeply, allowing the soil to dry out somewhat between drinks. My roots despise sitting in constantly soggy, waterlogged soil—it makes me susceptible to rot and other diseases. Please always check the soil a few inches down; if it feels dry, it’s time for a deep, refreshing drink.
My most critical need is the foundation you give me: the soil. I absolutely require a well-draining growing medium. A standard potting mix amended with a handful of perlite or coarse sand is perfect for me in a container. In a garden bed, if your native soil is heavy clay, please amend it generously with compost or other organic matter to improve its drainage. This ensures my roots have access to both water and oxygen, keeping them healthy and preventing them from drowning.
I am not a particularly heavy feeder, but I do appreciate a little nutritional boost to support my long blooming season. To encourage me to produce a continuous carpet of daisy-like flowers, you can feed me with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every four to six weeks during my primary growing and flowering period. Alternatively, a slow-release fertilizer mixed into my soil at the beginning of the season will provide a steady supply of nutrients. Too much fertilizer, however, will lead to more leaves than flowers, so a light touch is best.
To keep me looking my best and flowering profusely, a simple grooming ritual is very helpful. As my individual flowers begin to fade and wilt, gently pinch or snip them off. This process, which you call deadheading, signals to me that I should stop putting energy into producing seeds and instead redirect it into creating new flower buds. Regularly removing these spent blooms will encourage me to bloom for a much longer period, often from spring straight through until the first autumn frost.
