Since they hail from tropical climates, Gerberas aren’t exactly fans of the chilly weather we get in more temperate zones. That’s why you’ll mostly see them brightening up indoor spaces as houseplants. The good news? If you give them a little TLC, they’ll thrive right in your living room and keep those gorgeous blooms coming all season long.
Finding the Perfect Spot
The secret to a happy Gerbera is all about location, location, location. These beauties crave as much light as they can get throughout the day, but they have a bit of a love-hate relationship with the sun—they can’t handle direct, scorching midday rays. Because they’re sensitive to intense heat, it’s a good idea to keep them a safe distance away from window glass so they don’t “cook.” Beyond lighting, keep the soil consistently moist (but never soggy!) and give them a regular snack with some liquid fertilizer mixed into their water.
Keep Those Blooms Coming
Let’s be honest: we grow Gerberas for those iconic, cheerful flowers. To keep your plant in “bloom mode,” you’ll want to pinch off or snip away any faded flowers as soon as they start to wither. This encourages the plant to put its energy into growing new buds rather than seeds. The same goes for any yellowing or wilting leaves. Just make sure to use clean garden shears or scissors to prevent any rot or infections at the cut sites.
Summer Vacation Outdoors
Even though they love your living room, Gerberas really appreciate a little “summer vacation” outdoors on a patio or balcony once the weather warms up. The same rules apply outside: keep them out of the direct midday sun. To prevent issues like gray mold, make sure they have plenty of “elbow room”—keep them a bit away from walls and other plants so the air can circulate freely around them.
To keep your indoor Gerbera happy, just remember these basics:
- Plenty of bright, indirect light
- Regular watering and feeding
- Deadheading old flowers quickly
- A little outdoor time during the summer months
