Gazania
Gazania rigens
A sun-loving, drought-tolerant South African plant with large, daisy-like flowers in brilliant orange, yellow, red, pink and cream, often boldly striped. The blooms open in bright sun and close in shade or cloudy weather.
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Low; drought-tolerant
- Difficulty
- Easy
Got a plant like this?
Identify any plant from a photo, free.
Overview
Gazania, or treasure flower, is a low, spreading plant grown for its big, vividly colored daisy flowers. Tough and heat-tolerant, it thrives in hot, dry, sunny spots and is often used as ground cover or edging.
The flowers track the sun, opening fully in bright light and closing during overcast weather and at night. Many varieties have striking dark zones or stripes at the petal bases.
How to identify it
- Low, clump-forming or spreading plant 6-12 in (15-30 cm) tall
- Leaves are lance-shaped, often dark green above and silvery-hairy beneath, forming a basal rosette
- Flowers are large, daisy-like heads 3-4 in across in orange, yellow, red, pink, bronze and cream
- Petals frequently show contrasting stripes or a dark ring near the center
- Blooms close in shade, on cloudy days and at night
Care & growing
- Light: Full sun is essential; flowers stay closed without it
- Water: Low; very drought-tolerant once established and prone to rot if overwatered
- Soil: Light, sandy, well-drained soil; tolerates poor and salty ground
- Temperature: Heat-loving; tender to frost but perennial in mild climates
- Feeding: Minimal; thrives in lean soil
- Propagation: From seed or by dividing/cutting named selections
Deadhead to keep the display tidy and continuous; excellent in coastal and xeriscape gardens.
Habitat & origin
Native to southern Africa, especially South Africa, where it grows in dry, sunny coastal and grassland areas and tolerates sandy, saline soils.
Widely planted as a heat- and drought-tolerant ground cover, border and container plant, and naturalized in some warm coastal regions.
Uses & benefits
- Ornamental: Brilliant ground cover, edging and container color for hot, dry, sunny sites
- Practical: Tolerates coastal salt and poor soil, useful for banks and xeriscapes
- Ecological: Attracts bees and butterflies when flowers are open
Frequently asked questions
Why are my gazania flowers closed?
Gazania blooms open only in bright sun and close on cloudy days, in shade and at night, which is normal behavior.
How much water does gazania need?
Very little once established; it is highly drought-tolerant and can rot if the soil stays wet, so water sparingly.
Is gazania a perennial?
It is a tender perennial in frost-free climates but is grown as an annual where winters are cold.
Can gazania grow near the coast?
Yes, it tolerates salty air and sandy soil well, making it a good choice for coastal and seaside gardens.
Gazania guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Gazania.
