How to Grow African Daisy (Dimorphotheca)

Also called cape marigold or star-of-the-veldt, this sunny, long-blooming daisy-like annual (lasts just one year) thrives in full sun in regions with a cool growing season and dry, well-drained soil similar to that found in its native South Africa. The plants grow about a foot high atop long, wiry stems.

Garden Hoses
Garden Spades
Garden Trowels
Seeds

Instructions

- 1
  Look for established seedlings, which are sold at some nurseries in the spring. If you can't find them, you'll have to buy seeds.
- 2
  Choose a color. African daisy comes in nearly every color, but blue with strongly contrasting 'eyes,' or centers, are popular.
- 3
  Start seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before your region's last frost date.
- 4
  Plant seedlings outdoors 8 to 10 inches apart after the last frost. Place them in well-drained soil such as that found in containers, a rock garden, a raised bed or slope. Sandy soil is excellent.
- 5
  Keep soil moist but avoid wetting leaves since they're prone to fungal disease.
- 6
  Keep spent flowers pinched off once the plant starts blooming to promote further bloom.
- 7
  Pull the plant out of the garden after the first frost.

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