How to Grow Osteospermum

Osteospermum Germination Information

How to Sow Osteospermum:

• Sow indoors at 65-75° at a depth of 4 times the diameter of the seeds
• Expect germination in 10-15 days
• It is not recommended to sow seeds outdoors

How to Grow Osteospermum:
Transplanting: Transplant when there are at least two sets of true leaves

Spacing: Plant out 1 foot apart in full sun to partial shade

Soil: Soil needs to be slightly acidic, light, moderately fertile, moist, and well-drained

Temperature: Grow on with low night temperatures to promote flowering: 50-70° days and 50-60° nights

Additional Care: Plants will cease their flower production in the heat of the summer, so deadhead spent flowers and lightly sheer the plants to promote a repeat of flower display when temperatures cool down in the fall. Feed monthly with a balanced fertilizer

Appearance and Use:

A showy annual plant with daisy-like flowers, for use in borders, as edging and bedding material, and in containers. Mostly hybrids are grown, but the following 3 species exist: Osteospermum caulescens is a prostrate grower with white ray flowers and blue disk, O. hyoseroides grows 12-18 inches high by 8-12 inches wide and has neon orange ray flowers and a brown disk, O. jucundum is of clumping habit with pink to purple ray flowers

About Osteospermum:
Pronunciation:  ôs-te-o-sperm’um
Lifecycle:  Annual
Origination: Asteraceae; native to South Africa and the Arabian Penninsula
Common Name: Osteospermum