Why are my Gazania flowers closed?

They likely need more direct sunlight or it is currently night time.

Do I need to deadhead them?

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

Plant guide

Gazania.

Gazania rigens

Pronounced gah-ZAY-nee-uh RYE-jenz

Also known as Treasure Flower, Treasureflower, gazania, treasure-flower

Trailing Treasureflower — Photo by Tony Rebelo (CC BY-SA) via iNaturalist

Gazanias are cheerful, sun-loving perennials that produce daisy-like flowers in vibrant shades. They thrive in warm, dry climates and are perfect for rock gardens or containers. These plants are known for their ability to close their blooms during cloudy weather or at night.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: direct
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 30cm height, 30cm spread
Growth rate: fast
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Late spring to early autumn

Care

Plant these in well-draining soil to prevent root rot. Keep an eye out for aphids or mealybugs during the growing season. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage a continuous display of color throughout the summer.

Watering: Allow the soil to dry out significantly between waterings.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during the active growing season.
Pruning: Regularly remove faded blooms to promote new flower production.
Repotting: Repot when the plant becomes root-bound in its current container.
Soil: Sandy, well-draining soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
Temperature: 5 to 35°C
Humidity: 20 to 50%
Drought tolerance: high
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.
Deer and rabbits: moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water sitting on the surface for too long.
The plant has become top heavy and unstable.

Safety

People: While not highly toxic, ingestion can cause mild stomach upset in humans.
Pets: Gazania is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: Keep this plant away from small children as the foliage and flowers can be a choking hazard if ingested.
Contact allergens: The foliage can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals due to fine hairs.
Airborne allergens: The pollen may trigger mild allergic reactions in those sensitive to Asteraceae family plants.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and should be kept away from food preparation areas.

How to identify it

Daisy-like flowers in bright colors
Silver-green foliage with white undersides
Low growing clumping habit
Blooms close during low light

Height: 0.15 to 0.3m
Spread: 0.2 to 0.3m
Leaves: green, silver, evergreen
Flowers: yellow, orange, bronze, red, 5 to 10cm

Common problems

Powdery mildew — A white fungal growth appears on leaves when humidity is high and air circulation is poor.
Aphids — Small insects that cluster on new growth and suck plant sap.
Root rot — Occurs when the soil stays too wet for too long, causing roots to decay.

Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings, division
When to plant: spring
Overwintering: In colder climates, treat them as annuals or bring containers indoors to a sunny, cool spot. Keep the soil on the drier side during the winter months to prevent rot.
In containers: They grow very well in containers, provided the pot has excellent drainage and is at least 8 inches deep.

Seed Sowing

Sow seeds in a well draining seed starting mix in early spring.
Cover lightly with soil and keep in a warm, bright location.
Transplant seedlings once they have two sets of true leaves.

Basal Cuttings

Take cuttings from non flowering basal shoots in late summer.
Remove lower leaves and dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
Place in a gritty, well draining medium until roots develop.

Group plants with similar drought tolerance to ensure they all thrive without overwatering the sun lovers.

Grows well with

Lavender — They share similar needs for full sun and well drained soil.
Blue Fescue — The blue foliage of the grass contrasts beautifully with the bright Gazania blooms.
Sedum — Both plants are drought tolerant and thrive in similar sunny conditions.

Keep away from

Hostas — Hostas require shade and more moisture, which would lead to rot for the Gazania.

Similar species

Osteospermum — They are both members of the Asteraceae family and share similar growth habits.

Science

Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Gazania
Order: Asterales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Southern Africa.
Conservation: This species is not of conservation concern and is widely cultivated.

It is adapted to dry, sunny environments and often grows in sandy, nutrient poor soils.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, beetles
Uses: ground cover, rock gardens, container planting, coastal landscaping

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 5/9
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 Gazania flowers closed?: They likely need more direct sunlight or it is currently night time.
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 scholar who translated botanical works. The species name rigens refers to the stiff or rigid nature of the leaves.

Good to know

Gazanias are often called treasure flowers because of their vibrant, jewel like colors.
They are native to Southern Africa and thrive in sandy, well drained soils.
The flowers only open fully in bright, direct sunlight.

Is your gazania looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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