Description
Form: An herb with a clumping or trailing habit.
Lifespan: A short-lived perennial.
Leaf retention: Evergreen.
Growth rate: Rapid.
Mature Size: 1' (0.3m) high and 1-8' (0.3-2.4m) wide. Trailing cultivars spread widely.
Flowers: One, or two (double row), dozen rays with pointed tips, in many vivid, seemingly artificial colors including yellow and orange, with dozens of center disk florets, 3-4" (7.6-10cm) in diameter. The flowers close at night and on cloudy days.
Bloom: Mid-winter through mid-spring.
Fruit: Each floret produces one dried fruit with a single seed (cypsela).
Leaves: Narrow, long to short, leaflets with pointed tips, green to pale green.
Stems: Stems of trailing cultivars will root at their nodes where they touch the ground.
Roots: Some cultivars are invasive in soft soil.
Wildlife: The flowers occasionally attract bees and butterflies. The foliage is browsed by rabbits.
Toxic / Danger: No.
Origin: Southern Africa.

Cultivation and Uses
USDA hardiness zones: 9-11. It may die to the ground in freezes and come back from its roots if temperatures stay above 25°F (-3.9°C).
Heat tolerant: Yes, however this plant does poorly over 110°F (43°C) and will look mangy without extra water.
Drought tolerant: Yes.
Sun: Full sun.
Soil: Very well draining, somewhat dry, low organic material. Gazania does best in sandy soil, does poorly in fine or course soils, and is tolerant of a wide pH range but does best in pH neutral soil. Fertilizing is unnecessary.
Water after becoming established: Weekly in the hottest part of the year, once or twice a month in winter. Allow soil to dry 2" (5cm) deep between waterings. Do not overwater. Gazania is prone to fungal diseases in moist soil.
Mulch: Use organic mulch sparingly to shield roots from the sun. Mulch can encourage fungal diseases.
Planting: This plant can be grown in containers.
Prune: Deadhead spent flowers quickly to encourage more blooming.
Litter: Low: die-back in winter freezes and summer heat.
Propagation: Seed, root ball division. These plants are known to reseed.
Uses: Ornamental ground cover, low water (xeriscape) garden, trailing gazania cultivars can provide erosion control on gentle banks.

Comments
This plant is a member of the Daisy family (Asteraceae). Gazania splendens is a synonym. Another common name is Treasure Flower. Many hybrid cultivars exist, and more are being developed every year.

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