African Daisies (Osteospermum) originally hail from sunny South Africa, so they’re used to warm breezes rather than chilly European or North American winters. Because of this, many gardeners wonder if these beauties can actually survive until next year. If you’re hoping to save your plants, here’s the lowdown on how to overwinter your African Daisies.
How much cold can they actually handle?
Since African Daisies grow naturally around the southern tip of Africa, they never have to deal with freezing temperatures. In our neck of the woods, we love planting them in garden beds, on the balcony, or out on the patio. Unfortunately, many gardeners lose them once the frost hits. Since they’re usually pretty budget-friendly, many people just choose to buy fresh plants every spring.
Here’s a quick look at the temperatures they can tolerate:
- They can survive a brief dip down to about 23°F (-5°C).
- Consistent, long-term frost is a dealbreaker for these plants.
- Cold, biting winds can also cause some serious damage.
If you want to keep your African Daisies going, your best bet is to move them into a frost-free room. Ideally, you’re looking for a spot with plenty of light and temperatures between 40°F and 60°F (5–15°C). A cool greenhouse or a sunroom is perfect, but a bright stairwell or unheated hallway can also work great for the winter months.
Winter care tips
One thing to keep in mind: African Daisies don’t go completely dormant in the winter. This means you’ll need to keep watering them—just make sure the soil doesn’t dry out completely. On the flip side, definitely skip the fertilizer during the winter; you don’t want to mess with their natural growth cycle.
Make sure to crack a window every now and then to give them some fresh air and prevent mold from moving in. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on the leaves to check for any signs of disease or pesky hitchhiking pests.
Once the temperatures climb in the spring, you can move them back outside. Just be sure to “harden them off” by gradually introducing them to direct sunlight so they don’t get sunburned. In May, give your African Daisies a good pruning to encourage fresh new growth. With a little TLC, your plants will reward you with a stunning bloom season!
