Cape Daisy Plant Care
Apatesia helianthoides (Aiton) N.E.Br.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Every 14–21 days
Full sun
50–85°F
10–40%
At a glance
How do you care for Cape Daisy?
Water Cape Daisy every 14–21 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C) and 10–40% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
What Is the Cape Daisy?
Cape Daisy (Apatesia helianthoides) belongs to the Aizoaceae family within the Apatesia genus. Cape Daisy is also known as Cape Marigold.
Cape Daisy displays a low mat-forming succulent growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Cape Daisy produces bright yellow daisy-like flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 1.5 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Cape Daisy?
Apatesia helianthoides requires watering every 14–21 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 14–21 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Cape Daisy Need?
Cape Daisy thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Cape Daisy Prefer?
Apatesia helianthoides grows best at temperatures of 50–85°F. Cape Daisy prefers humidity levels of 10–40%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
10–40%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Cape Daisy?
Sandy, well-draining soil mix with high mineral content. Good drainage is essential for Cape Daisy to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Cape Daisy?
Feed Cape Daisy every 8 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 8 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Cape Daisy?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Cape Daisy?
Cape Daisy can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.
Is the Cape Daisy Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Cape 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 Cape Daisy?
Cape Daisy is susceptible to mealybugs, aphids, scale insects. 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 Cape Daisy Need?
Cape Daisy grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Cape Daisy as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Cape 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 Apatesia genus (family Aizoaceae) — search all Apatesia species in the plant lookup.
Cape 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: Apatesia helianthoides (Aiton) N.E.Br., family Aizoaceae (first published in in Gard. Chron., ser. 3, 81: 12. 1927.) — World Flora Online record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Cape 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 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.
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