Why are my flowers closed?

The plant closes its blooms when it is cloudy or dark, as they only open in bright sunlight.

Can I grow this in a pot?

Yes, it makes an excellent container plant as long as the pot has good drainage.

Plant guide

Cape marguerite.

Dimorphotheca ecklonis

Pronounced os-tee-oh-SPER-mum EK-lon-iss

Also known as Vanstaden's river daisy

blue-and-white daisybush — Photo by zebedeugalinha (CC BY) via iNaturalist

The Cape marguerite is a cheerful, daisy like perennial that brings a splash of color to sunny gardens. It thrives in warm climates and produces an abundance of blooms throughout the growing season. You will love how it attracts pollinators to your outdoor space.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 2 to 3 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Late spring to early autumn

Care

Plant in well draining soil and provide plenty of sunlight to encourage consistent flowering. Deadhead spent blooms to keep the plant tidy and promote new growth. Watch for wilting, which often signals that the plant needs a deep soak.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Regularly remove faded flowers to encourage continuous blooming.
Repotting: Repot when the roots become crowded or the plant outgrows its container.
Soil: Well draining sandy or loamy soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -4 to 35°C
Humidity: 20 to 50%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Short lived perennial, often grown as an annual.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water sitting on the surface for too long.
Plant growth has slowed significantly.

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non-toxic, though ingestion of large quantities is not recommended.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: Keep away from small children to prevent accidental ingestion of plant parts.
Contact allergens: The sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen can trigger hay fever symptoms in susceptible people during the flowering season.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and may cause stomach upset if ingested.

How to identify it

Daisy like flowers with prominent centers
Serrated or lobed green leaves
Bushy and spreading growth habit
Petals often show contrasting undersides

Height: 0.3 to 0.6m
Spread: 0.45 to 0.9m
Leaves: green, evergreen
Flowers: white, purple, blue, 5 to 8cm

Problems to watch for

Powdery mildew · A fungal infection that appears as white dusty spots on the leaves.
Aphids · Small insects that suck sap from new growth and flower buds.

Check your cape marguerite from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring
Overwintering: In colder regions, bring containers indoors to a bright, cool spot. If planted in the ground, provide a thick layer of mulch to protect the roots from freezing temperatures.
In containers: It grows very well in containers, provided you use a fast draining potting mix and a pot at least 30 centimeters wide.

Stem Cuttings

1. Take a 10 centimeter cutting from non flowering growth.
2. Remove the lower leaves.
3. Dip the end in rooting hormone.
4. Plant in a moist, sandy medium.
5. Keep in bright, indirect light until rooted.

Pair this daisy with other drought tolerant plants to maintain a consistent watering schedule across the bed.

Grows well with

Lavender · Both plants enjoy the same sunny, well drained conditions.
Gazania · They share similar water and light requirements for a vibrant display.

Similar species

Osteospermum · Often confused with this species, it shares a very similar appearance and growth habit.

Science

Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Dimorphotheca
Order: Asterales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: South Africa
Conservation: This species is not currently listed as endangered or threatened in its native range.

It is adapted to dry, sunny environments and relies on pollinators to ensure seed set in its native habitat.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: container gardening, rock gardens, borders, ground cover

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 3/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are my flowers closed?: The plant closes its blooms when it is cloudy or dark, as they only open in bright sunlight.
Can I grow this in a pot?: Yes, it makes an excellent container plant as long as the pot has good drainage.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Dimorphotheca refers to the two forms of fruit produced by the plant, while ecklonis honors the botanist Christian Friedrich Ecklon.

Good to know

It is commonly known as the Cape Daisy.
The flowers close up during cloudy weather or at night.
It thrives in poor, sandy soils where other plants might struggle.

Also in

Drought-tolerant plants

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This guide was generated with AI on November 9, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.