Osteospermum

New Zealand’s Best Osteospermum Plants

Growing Cape Daisy plants delivers a vast range of benefits:

• They attract birds and bees
• Greater biodiversity is created
• Children can learn the plants and become more involved with nature
• They bring colour and vibrance to a space
• These plants will bring you pleasure for many years to come

We have a wide range of Osteospermum of all sizes and colours that are ready for their new home. We are here to help you find the right Cape Daisy for your space. Choose from a wide variety of locally grown plants that have been propagated and bred to thrive in NZ’s climate. We stock only the highest quality plants, sourcing them from NZ’s leading nurseries. Each plant is packed and transported with extreme care, ensuring it arrives to you in the same condition it was in when it left the nursery. If you are wanting to buy Osteospermum, shop with confidence from the best in the industry.

Common questions about growing Osteospermum

1. When can you buy Osteospermum?

Osteospermum plants are typically available for purchase in the spring and summer months.

Here are some tips for buying Osteospermum plants:

• Choose plants that are healthy and vigorous. The leaves should be green and free of pests and diseases.
• Look for plants that are in bloom or that have buds. This will ensure that you get a plant that will flower soon.

2. How do you grow Osteospermum in New Zealand?

To grow Osteospermum in New Zealand, follow these steps:

1. Choose a sunny location. Osteospermum plants prefer full sun, but they can tolerate partial shade.
2. Prepare the soil. Osteospermum plants prefer well-drained soil. If your soil is heavy clay, you can improve drainage by adding sand or compost to the soil.
3. Plant the Osteospermum plants. Plant the Osteospermum plants in the spring or summer, when the soil temperature is at least 15 degrees Celsius. Space the plants 30-45 cm apart.
4. Water the Osteospermum plants regularly. Osteospermum plants require regular watering, especially during the first year after planting. Water the plants deeply when the soil is dry to the touch.
5. Fertilize the Osteospermum plants. Fertilize the Osteospermum plants every two weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
6. Deadhead the Osteospermum plants. Deadhead the Osteospermum plants regularly to remove spent flowers. This will encourage the plants to produce more flowers.
7. Protect the Osteospermum plants from frost. Osteospermum plants are not frost-tolerant, so you may need to protect them from frost in the winter. You can do this by covering them with a frost blanket or by moving them indoors.

With proper care, Osteospermum plants will thrive and provide you with beautiful flowers for many seasons.

3. Is Osteospermum an annual or perennial?

Osteospermum is technically a tender perennial, but it is often grown as an annual in cooler climates. This is because Osteospermum plants can be damaged or killed by frost. In warmer climates, Osteospermum plants can live for several years.

4. When should I start Osteospermum?

The best time to start Osteospermum in New Zealand is in the spring, from September to November. This will give the plants enough time to establish themselves before the winter. You can start Osteospermum seeds indoors or outdoors.

To start Osteospermum seeds indoors, follow these steps:

1. Fill a seed tray with potting mix.
2. Sow the seeds on the surface of the potting mix and cover them with a light layer of vermiculite.
3. Water the seeds well.
4. Place the seed tray in a warm location, such as on a sunny windowsill.
5. Keep the potting mix moist but not soggy.
6. The seeds should germinate within 10-14 days.

Once the seedlings have emerged, transplant them into individual pots.

5. Does osteospermum like sun or shade?

Osteospermum plants prefer full sun, but they can tolerate partial shade. They will produce the most flowers when grown in full sun.

Osteospermum plants are native to South Africa, where they are used to growing in hot, dry conditions. They are relatively drought-tolerant and can withstand some shade, but they will produce the best results when grown in full sun and well-drained soil.

If you are growing Osteospermum plants in partial shade, choose a location that receives at least six hours of sunlight per day. Osteospermum plants grown in too much shade will be leggy and produce fewer flowers.

6. Where is the best place to plant osteospermum?

The best place to plant Osteospermum is in a full sun location with well-drained soil. They can tolerate partial shade, but they will produce the most flowers when grown in full sun.

7. Does Osteospermum spread?

Yes, Osteospermum can spread. Some varieties of Osteospermum are more prone to spreading than others. For example, Osteospermum fruticosum is a spreading or trailing variety that is often used as a ground cover.

Osteospermum can spread through self-seeding and by rhizomes. Rhizomes are underground stems that can send up new shoots. To prevent Osteospermum from spreading, you can deadhead the flowers regularly to prevent them from setting seed and you can divide the plants every few years to remove the rhizomes.