Gunn's Daisy Bush Plant Care
Olearia gunniana (DC.) Hook.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Olearia phlogopappa commonly known as the dusty daisy-bush or alpine daisy-bush is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae that is commonly found in eastern New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. It is a small shrub with greyish-green foliage, daisy-like flowers in white, pink or mauve that can be seen from spring to late summer.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Gunn's Daisy Bush?
Plant Gunn's Daisy Bush in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Gunn's Daisy Bush Native To?
What Is the Gunn's Daisy Bush?
Gunn's Daisy Bush (Olearia gunniana) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Olearia genus. Gunn's Daisy Bush is native to eastern New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. Gunn's Daisy Bush is also known as Mountain Daisy.
Gunn's Daisy Bush displays a compact, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Gunn's Daisy Bush produces small daisy-like flowers in white, pink, or purple clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Gunn's Daisy Bush?
Water a young or newly planted Gunn's Daisy Bush every 7–14 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 7–14 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Gunn's Daisy Bush Need?
Gunn's Daisy Bush thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Gunn's Daisy Bush Prefer?
Olearia gunniana tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Gunn's Daisy Bush prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Gunn's Daisy Bush?
Well-draining sandy loam with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Gunn's Daisy Bush to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Gunn's Daisy Bush?
Feed Gunn's Daisy Bush 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 Gunn's Daisy Bush?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Gunn's Daisy Bush 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 Gunn's Daisy Bush?
Gunn's Daisy Bush can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 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 Gunn's Daisy Bush?
Prune Gunn's Daisy Bush 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 Gunn's Daisy Bush in Winter?
Gunn's Daisy Bush 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 Gunn's Daisy Bush?
Gunn's Daisy Bush can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to mountain daisy bush plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Gunn's Daisy Bush Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Gunn's Daisy Bush, 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 Gunn's Daisy Bush?
Gunn's Daisy Bush 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 Gunn's Daisy Bush Need?
Gunn's Daisy Bush grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Gunn's Daisy Bush is native to eastern New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. In cooler regions, grow Gunn's Daisy Bush as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Gunn's Daisy Bush 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 Olearia genus — compare its care with other Olearia species on PlantoScan.
Olearia is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Gunn's Daisy Bush thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Olearia Species
Other Olearia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Olearia gunniana (DC.) Hook., family Asteraceae (first published in The Botanical Magazine 78 1852) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Gunn's Daisy Bush, 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.
