Gerber daisies are often used indoors because of their stunning beauty, but their longevity is limited. For optimum enjoyment, buy a plant that is just beginning to bloom and has several buds developing. Under the best of circumstances, gerber daisies may bloom for 6 weeks or more. Once the plant begins to languish, let it go. If it is early summer, it could be planted out in a sunny location with well-drained soil where it may bloom on until frost.

How much water do they need?
Gerber daisies need to be kept evenly moist during the time they are blooming. When out of bloom, they can be allowed to dry slightly before watering.

Do they have any special temperature requirements?
They will thrive in average to cool temperatures. If temperatures get too warm (above 70º), they may stop blooming.

Do gerber daisies need much humidity?
They will do well with average humidity. Indoors, mist the foliage once or twice a week during the winter. Avoid misting open blooms.

How much fertilizer do they require?
When they are actively growing and blooming, gerber daisies should be fed every other week with a water-soluble fertilizer such as Bachman's Excel Gro or Schultz's Blooms Plus.

What type of soil do they prefer?
Gerber daisies require well-drained soil. Use a high-quality peat based potting soil.

When should I repot my gerber daisies?
In our climate, they aren't usually kept over the winter, so they aren't repotted. When grown in a greenhouse, they are repotted in spring.

Will they need any grooming?
They really don't need any grooming other than removing faded flowers and their stems. Avoid any leafshine products. Gerber daisy leaves are slightly hairy and resent being wiped.

How are they propagated?
Gerber daisies are propagated from seed, but it can take as long as 6 months to get to the blooming stage.

Why do gerber daisies wilt?
This can be the result of drying out or being kept too warm. When temperatures get much over 70º, sometimes they will wilt even if they have adequate moisture.

What makes their leaves turn black?
This is from being kept too cold. Don't allow them to go below 45º.

If the leaves develop dark patches, what is the problem?
Dark patches can be the result of leaf shine or watering with cold water.

When leaves brown, what is the cause?
If the leaves turn brown and dry up, check to see if the plant is being kept too wet or too dry. Pick off the brown leaves and watch closely.

Are gerber daisies prone to any disease problems?
If they are kept too wet or planted too deeply, gerber daisies will develop a crown rot that is almost always fatal. This can be avoided by using a well-drained soil, monitoring the water closely and making sure your daisy is planted a little bit higher than average. Occasionally, the leaves will develop a white mildew. This indicates the daisy is being kept too cool and humid.

Are they prone to any insect problems?
Other than the occasional aphid, the most common insect problem for a gerber daisy is whitefly. The small white flies may be noticed flying around the plant and can be detected by looking at the back of the leaves. Control of whitefly requires repeated treatments with insecticide. Check with one of our experts if you have questions about whiteflies or any other insect problem.