Greetings from the Osteospermum! We, often known as African Daisies or Cape Daisies, are a vibrant and sun-loving group of plants originally from South Africa. While we thrive in garden beds, we are exceptionally well-suited for container life, including hanging baskets, where our trailing habits and prolific blooms can be shown to their full advantage. Here is our perspective on what makes a perfect hanging basket home.
From our roots' perspective, a good home is paramount. We require a container that provides excellent drainage; waterlogged roots are a death sentence for us. Ensure your hanging basket has ample drainage holes. A lightweight, well-aerated potting mix is ideal, not heavy garden soil. We appreciate a mix that includes peat, perlite, or coir to keep our roots oxygenated and moist but never soggy. A size of 12 to 16 inches in diameter is perfect for most cultivars, giving our root system enough space to establish and support a season of abundant flowering.
Many of our newer cultivars have been specially bred for a trailing or semi-trailing habit. Varieties like the '3D', 'Serenity', and 'Sunscape' series are perfect for hanging baskets as our stems will gracefully spill over the edges, creating a magnificent ball of color. When selecting a basket, consider how our form will develop. A wire basket lined with coco coir or moss is excellent as we can grow through the sides, but a plastic or resin pot will also suffice if it is large enough. Our growth is vigorous, and we will quickly fill the space you provide us.
We are solar-powered flowers. To produce our vibrant daisy-like blooms in shades of purple, pink, yellow, and white, we require a full sun location. Please place our hanging basket where we will receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Without it, our flowering will be poor, and our stems will become leggy as we stretch searching for light. Our water needs are moderate. Water us deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry, allowing the excess to drain away freely. Avoid overhead watering in the evening, as wet foliage can make us susceptible to fungal diseases.
While we are stunning on our own, we don't mind sharing our container with other plants that enjoy similar conditions. Excellent companion plants for a mixed hanging basket include trailing Verbena, sweet Alyssum, Lobelia, or even a delicate Ivy. These plants share our love for sun and well-draining soil, and their contrasting forms and colors can create a truly spectacular display. Just ensure everyone has enough room to grow without excessive competition for root space and nutrients.
