Barberton Daisy Plant Care
Gerbera aurantiaca Sch.Bip.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Gerbera aurantiaca, the Hilton daisy, is a long-lived KwaZulu-Natal mistbelt grassland endemic with red flowers.
Every 5–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
65–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Barberton Daisy?
Plant Barberton Daisy in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13b) and water a young shrub every 5–7 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 65–75°F (18–24°C). Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season.
What Is the Barberton Daisy?
Barberton Daisy (Gerbera aurantiaca) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Gerbera genus. Barberton Daisy is also known as Flame Gerbera.
Barberton Daisy displays a low rosette, clumping habit growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Barberton Daisy produces large, daisy-like flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Barberton Daisy?
Water a young or newly planted Barberton Daisy every 5–7 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 5–7 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Barberton Daisy Need?
Barberton Daisy thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Barberton Daisy Prefer?
Gerbera aurantiaca tolerates temperatures of 65–75°F. Barberton Daisy prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
65–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Barberton Daisy?
Well-draining, fertile soil with added perlite for extra drainage. Good drainage is essential for Barberton Daisy to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Barberton Daisy?
Feed Barberton Daisy every 4 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 4 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 Barberton Daisy?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, fertile soil with added perlite for extra drainage. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Barberton Daisy is suited to USDA Zone 13b.
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 Barberton Daisy?
Barberton Daisy 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 Barberton Daisy?
Prune Barberton Daisy 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 Barberton Daisy in Winter?
Barberton Daisy is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). 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 Barberton Daisy?
Barberton Daisy can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps, tissue culture. Similar propagation techniques also apply to ambiguous gerbera plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Barberton Daisy Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Barberton Daisy, 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 Barberton Daisy?
Barberton Daisy 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 Barberton Daisy Need?
Barberton Daisy grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. In cooler regions, grow Barberton Daisy as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Barberton Daisy 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 Gerbera genus — compare its care with other Gerbera species on PlantoScan.
Gerbera is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Barberton Daisy thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Gerbera aurantiaca Sch.Bip., family Asteraceae (first published in Flora 27(2): 781 (1844)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Barberton Daisy, 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 13b, 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.
