How to grow Cape Marguerite

Dimorphotheca ecklonis

Full Sun
Medium

Osteospermums need a sunny aspect, so always plant in a sunny border. They also thrive in a pot on a sunny patio. ¹
Water regularly to avoid the plants from drying out. Keep well watered, especially the first two weeks after planting ¹.
For best results feed your Osteospermums on a weekly basis with a general fertilizer such as phostrogen. This will help promote flowering. ¹
Remove wilted flowers on a regular basis. This will prolong flowering. It is allright to take off part of the flower stem to tidy up the plant. ¹
Cutting back Osteospermums won’t harm them. On the contrary. They will grow new fresh side shoots in no time! Pruning is most beneficial to the so called hardy types of Osteospermum. It’s best to cut them back in early spring or in the autumn. ¹
Since most Osteospermums are not hardy it is recommended to over winter your plants. ¹

Growing Cape marguerite from seed

Place in a propagator or seal the container inside a polythene bag until after germination. Do not exclude light, as this helps germination. ¹

Ensure a distance of 0.12 inches (0.3 cm) between seeds when sowing - look to sow at a depth of approximately 0.12 inches (0.3 cm). Soil temperature should be kept higher than 18°C / 64°F to ensure good germination.

By our calculations*, you should look at sowing Cape marguerite about 56 days before your last frost date .

Transplanting Cape marguerite

When the seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them into 7.5cm (3 inch) pots. Then grow on in cooler conditions before planting out after all risk of frost has past. Plant 30cm (12 inches) apart ¹.

Ensure that temperatures are mild (minimum night temperatures should be around 18°C / 64°F) and all chance of frost has passed before planting out, as Cape marguerite is a half hardy plant.

How long does Cape marguerite take to grow?

These estimates for how long Cape marguerite takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

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Days to Maturity How long until Cape marguerite is ready for harvest / bloom?: + days
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Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Cape marguerite?: = days

When should I plant Cape marguerite?

Our when to plant Cape marguerite estimates are relative to your last frost date.

When to sow The number of days to sow Cape marguerite before or after your last frost date.: 56 days before Last Frost Date

Cape marguerite Etymology

The name Osteospermum is derived from the Greek osteon (= bone) and Latin spermum (= seed) ¹

Other names for Cape marguerite

African daisy

Footnotes

¹ The Osteospermum page

² Dave’s Garden