Barberton daisy (gerbera) Gerbera jamesonii
Barberton daisy (gerbera) (Gerbera jamesonii) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Asteraceae family, native to Barberton area of Mpumalanga, South Africa, and Eswatini. It grows 30–60 cm (12–24 in) tall and 30–50 cm (12–20 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -6 °C (21 °F). Space plants about 40 cm (16 in) apart.
Plan Barberton daisy (gerbera) in your garden →
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Barberton daisy (gerbera) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Mature height | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
| Spacing | 40 cm (16 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -6 °C (21 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 13–26 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Barberton area of Mpumalanga, South Africa, and Eswatini |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇨🇳 China, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Barberton daisy (gerbera) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA; not known to be poisonous to people.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Barberton daisy (gerbera)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Barberton daisy (gerbera)
- How far apart should I plant Barberton daisy (gerbera)?
- About 40 cm (16 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–50 cm (12–20 in).
- Does Barberton daisy (gerbera) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Barberton daisy (gerbera) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Barberton daisy (gerbera)?
- It tolerates about -6 °C (21 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Barberton daisy (gerbera) flower?
- From about May for 13–26 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Barberton daisy (gerbera) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA; not known to be poisonous to people.
- What grows well with Barberton daisy (gerbera)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Barberton daisy (gerbera). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Grown as an annual or pot plant outside zones 8 to 10; crowns rot in wet, cold soil.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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