Why are my flowers closed?

Gazanias only open their blooms in direct sunlight.

Do I need to deadhead them?

Removing spent blooms encourages the plant to produce more flowers throughout the season.

Plant guide

Treasure flower.

Gazania linearis

Pronounced gah-ZAY-nee-ah lin-ee-AIR-iss

Also known as Treasureflower, Wedding Gazania, Wedding Treasureflower, gazania

Wedding Treasureflower — Photo by jrsweet (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This cheerful perennial brings a splash of color to sunny spots with its daisy like blooms. It is a tough plant that handles heat and dry spells quite well. You will love how the flowers open wide in the sun and close up at night.

Another photo of Treasure flower — Photo by Rudyard (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 12 inches tall
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 8 to 10
Bloom time: Late spring to early autumn

Care

Plant these in well draining soil to keep the roots happy. Watch for wilting if the soil stays too wet or if they do not get enough sun. Deadheading spent blooms helps keep the plant looking tidy and encourages more flowers.

Watering: Allow the top few inches of soil to dry out completely between waterings.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Remove faded flowers regularly to promote continuous blooming.
Repotting: Move to a slightly larger pot only when the roots become crowded.
Soil: Sandy or rocky well draining soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
Temperature: -7 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 running straight through the pot without soaking in
Stunted growth during the active season

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non-toxic, but ingestion 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 foliage can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen may trigger mild hay fever symptoms in some people.
Edibility: This plant is not intended for consumption and may cause digestive upset if eaten.

How to identify it

Daisy like yellow or orange flowers
Narrow linear dark green leaves
Silvery undersides on foliage
Low growing clumping habit

Height: 0.15 to 0.3m
Spread: 0.2 to 0.4m
Leaves: green, silver, evergreen
Flowers: yellow, orange, 5 to 8cm

Problems to watch for

Powdery mildew · A white fungal growth appears on leaves when air circulation is poor.
Aphids · Small insects that suck sap from new growth and flower buds.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, division
When to plant: spring
Overwintering: In colder climates, 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.
In containers: They grow beautifully in containers, provided the pot has excellent drainage and is at least 20 centimeters deep.

Seed

1. Sow seeds indoors in late winter.
2. Use a well-draining seed starting mix.
3. Keep the soil lightly moist until germination.
4. Transplant outdoors after the danger of frost has passed.

Division

1. Carefully lift the plant from the soil in spring.
2. Gently pull the root clump apart into smaller sections.
3. Replant the divisions immediately in prepared soil.

Pair this plant with other drought-tolerant species to ensure all plants in the bed have compatible watering needs.

Grows well with

Lavender · They share similar requirements for full sun and well-draining soil.
Sedum · These succulents provide a nice textural contrast while thriving in the same dry conditions.

Similar species

Treasure Flower · It is a very close relative with similar growth habits and flower appearance.

Science

Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Gazania
Order: Asterales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Southern Africa
Conservation: This species is not currently listed as endangered or threatened.

It thrives in open, sunny habitats where its deep taproot allows it to survive periods of intense heat and low rainfall.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ground cover, rock gardens, container planting, border edging

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 4/9
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?: Gazanias only open their blooms in direct sunlight.
Do I need to deadhead them?: Removing spent blooms encourages the plant to produce more flowers throughout the season.

Where the name comes from

The genus is named after Theodorus of Gaza, a 15th-century translator of Aristotle's botanical works. The species name linearis refers to the narrow, linear shape of the leaves.

Good to know

Gazanias are often called treasure flowers because of their vibrant, jewel-toned petals.
They are native to Southern Africa and thrive in sandy, well-draining soils.
These plants are incredibly drought tolerant once established.

Also in

Drought-tolerant plants

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This guide was generated with AI on November 7, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.