The African Daisy (Osteospermum) is a native of sun-drenched southern climates, but it feels right at home in our sunny garden spots, too. These beauties put on a spectacular floral show all summer long. However, one question I get all the time from fellow gardeners is: “How much cold can these plants actually take?” If you’re wondering about their frost tolerance, here’s the lowdown.
How Much Frost Can African Daisies Handle?
To be honest, African Daisies are pretty sensitive when it comes to freezing temperatures. In many cases, if they’re left outside, they simply won’t make it through the winter. Because they are relatively inexpensive and super easy to care for, many gardeners treat them as annuals and just plant fresh ones every spring. Let’s face it—not everyone has a heated greenhouse or a sunroom to stash their plants in!
African Daisy Frost Facts:
- They can handle light frost for very short periods.
- The absolute limit is usually around 23°F (-5°C).
- They won’t survive if the ground stays frozen for long.
If you have yours in containers on the balcony, keep in mind that the soil in a pot freezes much faster than the ground. If you want to save them, you’ll need to take some protective measures. Luckily, since they’re in pots, you can often just scoot them indoors. But don’t worry—even if yours are planted in the garden beds, there are ways to help them survive until next year.
How to Overwinter Your Plants
If you’d rather save your favorite plants instead of buying new ones next season, I’ve got you covered. As long as you find the right “winter home” for them, they’re actually quite low-maintenance during the off-season. They naturally go into a dormant phase, so they won’t demand much of your time.
Here’s how to tuck them in for the winter:
- Move them to a bright room where temperatures stay between 40°F and 60°F (5–15°C).
- Before overwintering, trim the plant back by about a third.
- Make sure to crack a window and ventilate the room every now and then.
Since African Daisies can still grow a bit even during the winter, they might look a little leggy by the time spring rolls around. I recommend giving them a good prune in February. This encourages fresh, bushy new growth just in time for spring, ensuring you’ll have another season of those gorgeous, vibrant blooms!
