Rani Daisy-bush (Olearia rani)

Photo: Rudolph89CC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped

Rani Daisy-bush Plant Care

Olearia rani Druce

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Olearia rani, or heketara as it is known in Māori is a common small forest tree of New Zealand. It grows in lowland forest throughout the North Island and in the northern half of the South Island. Olearia rani var. rani has a more northern range than Olearia rani var. colorata which is found in forests from the Coromandel south to the Buller River. Its leaves have white undersides and prominent veins. During the spring the tree produces clusters of small white flowers.

🌱Herbs🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Rani Daisy-bush?

Plant Rani 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.

What Is the Rani Daisy-bush?

Rani Daisy-bush (Olearia rani) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Olearia genus. Rani Daisy-bush is native to forests from the Coromandel Peninsula south to the Buller River. Rani Daisy-bush is also known as Mountain Daisy, Aster cunninghamii, Aster rani.

Rani Daisy-bush displays a compact, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Rani Daisy-bush produces small daisy-like flowers in white, pink, or purple clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Rani Daisy-bush?

Water a young or newly planted Rani 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 Rani Daisy-bush Need?

Rani Daisy-bush thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Rani Daisy-bush Prefer?

Olearia rani tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Rani Daisy-bush prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Rani Daisy-bush?

Well-draining sandy loam with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Rani Daisy-bush to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Rani Daisy-bush?

Feed Rani 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 Rani 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.

Rani 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 Rani Daisy-bush?

Rani 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 Rani Daisy-bush?

Prune Rani 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 Rani Daisy-bush in Winter?

Rani 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 Rani Daisy-bush?

Rani 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 Rani Daisy-bush Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Rani 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 Rani Daisy-bush?

Rani 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 Rani Daisy-bush Need?

Rani Daisy-bush grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Rani Daisy-bush is native to forests from the Coromandel Peninsula south to the Buller River. In cooler regions, grow Rani Daisy-bush as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Rani 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.

Rani 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 rani Druce, family Asteraceae (first published in Rep. Bot. Soc. Exch. Club Brit. Isles 4(Suppl. 2): 638 (1917)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Rani 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.
  • Photo: Rudolph89, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
  • 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.

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