Arctotis venusta Plant Care

Arctotis venusta Norl.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Arctotis venusta is a species of South African plants in the family Asteraceae. Common names include silver arctotis, kusgousblom, and blue-eyed African daisy.

🌱Herbs🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Arctotis venusta?

Plant Arctotis venusta in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Arctotis venusta Native To?

Native range5 countries

What Is the Arctotis venusta?

Arctotis venusta (Arctotis venusta) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Arctotis genus. Arctotis venusta is native to South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.

Arctotis venusta displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Arctotis venusta produces daisy-like flowers in various colors like orange, yellow, and white.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Arctotis venusta?

Water a young or newly planted Arctotis venusta every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–10 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Arctotis venusta Need?

Arctotis venusta thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Arctotis venusta Prefer?

Arctotis venusta tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Arctotis venusta prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Arctotis venusta?

Well-draining sandy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Arctotis venusta to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Arctotis venusta?

Feed Arctotis venusta every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Arctotis venusta?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Arctotis venusta is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Arctotis venusta?

Arctotis venusta can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Arctotis venusta?

Prune Arctotis venusta while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

How Do You Care for a Arctotis venusta in Winter?

Arctotis venusta is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Arctotis venusta?

Arctotis venusta can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to african daisy plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Arctotis venusta Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Arctotis venusta, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Arctotis venusta?

Arctotis venusta is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Arctotis venusta Need?

Arctotis venusta grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Arctotis venusta is native to South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. In cooler regions, grow Arctotis venusta as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Arctotis venusta is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Arctotis genus — compare its care with other Arctotis species on PlantoScan.

Arctotis is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.

Arctotis venusta thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Arctotis Species

Other Arctotis species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Arctotis venusta Norl., family Asteraceae (first published in Bot. Not. 118: 406 (1965)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Arctotis venusta, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

PlantoScan app icon

Identify Plants Like the
Arctotis venusta Instantly

Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Free

to download

iOS & Android

platforms

Light & dark

mode

100,000+

species