- Gerbera daisies are popular tender perennials best suited for warmer climates.gerbera image by Kolett from Fotolia.com
Gerbera or Transvaal daisies are native to warm-winter areas of South Africa. They are popular because of the large 4 to 7 inch flowers in striking colors such as yellows, oranges, pinks and reds. Nursery production is usually in greenhouses, where gerbera daisies are grown under optimal conditions for intense flower color and good plant growth. These long-stalked flowers can last for 2 weeks or more. Special strategies are needed to ensure their survival in cold-winter climates. - In USDA zones 8 to 11 gerberas are winter-hardy and can be grown out of doors year-round with little winter protection. They can be successfully overwintered outdoors in zone 7 with winter protection. In colder winter areas, they should be treated as annuals if planted out of doors, or kept as pot plants that can be moved indoors before threat of frost.
- In zone 7, gerberas should receive a 4-inch layer of clean straw, pine needles or salt hay after the plant has died back for the winter, but before hard freezes occur. Choose a protected area to establish the plants. In zones 8 and 9, occasional cold snaps may occur that will kill back foliage, but the plant should regrow once warm weather comes. If excessively cold weather is due, temporary protection of plants is advisable.
- Gerberas are susceptible to fungus diseases. Good drainage is essential, especially in the winter, when the plants are dormant and the ground remains wet for long periods of time. Incorporate sand, perlite or pumice into the garden soil to ensure good drainage and winter survival. In zone 7, overwintering gerberas are dormant and don't need to be watered.
- For good overwintering, either in the ground or in pots, plants should be raised with the crown above soil level. This prevents crown rot, a disease that sets in easily if gerberas are planted too deeply.
- In areas colder than zone 7, gerberas are best treated as container plants if they are to be overwintered. Potted plants should be brought into the house or a greenhouse in the fall. They need a sunny position, good air circulation, and cool temperatures between 45 to 50 degrees F. Soil mix should be well-draining. Allow soil to become partially dry between waterings. The first 2 inches of soil should appear only barely moist before rewatering. Excessive wetness can lead to root rot and death of the plant or can produce powdery mildew on the leaves. Don't fertilize the plants while they are overwintering. Recognize that in general gerberas are short-lived perennials. They normally have deep roots, and keeping them in pots where root growth is restricted can shorten their lives further.
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