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Plant care

Mountain African Daisy (Delightful African Daisy) care

Osteospermum jucundum

Also called Mountain African Daisy, Delightful African Daisy, Bergbietou.

RHS H3USDA 9-11Mildly toxic to petsIndoor 20–45 cm tall

Watering rhythm

7-10days

Every 7–10 days during the growing season

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Light

Direct sun (at least 4-6 hours)

Soil

Light, well-drained chalk, loam, or sandy soil

Humidity

Low to moderate (30–55%)

Temp

-5–30°C

Pet safety

Mildly toxic to pets

Mature size

20–45 cm tall

Care at a glance

Light

Mountain African Daisy needs sun on the leaves, not just bright ambient room light. Full sun in a warm, south-facing aspect; flowers close in overcast conditions and at night, and flowering is greatly reduced in shade. A south or west-facing windowsill in the northern hemisphere is the default; anywhere else, expect the plant to stretch and pale out within a season.

Watering

Water mountain african daisy every 7–10 days during the growing season. The actual day count varies with pot size, light, and season — the finger test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) is more reliable than a fixed calendar. Empty any drainage saucer afterwards so the pot isn't sitting in water. Maintain even moisture during active growth; reduce watering significantly in winter. Plants are moderately drought-tolerant once established but dislike waterlogged soil.

Soil and pot

Mountain African Daisy grows best in light, well-drained chalk, loam, or sandy soil. Requires sharp drainage; moderately fertile soil is preferred. A neutral to slightly alkaline pH of 6.5–8.0 suits this species. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Mountain African Daisy sits happiest at around Low to moderate (30–55%) humidity and -5–30°C (23–86°F). Prefers dry air; high humidity combined with poor drainage promotes verticillium wilt and root diseases. If you keep the room above year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed mountain african daisy sparingly. Apply a low-nitrogen, balanced fertiliser in spring; excessive feeding promotes leafy growth at the cost of flowers. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on mountain african daisy in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

  • Aphid infestations on new growth — Aphid colonies gather on young shoot tips and buds, causing distorted growth and sticky honeydew residue. Blast off with water or apply insecticidal soap; encourage natural predators such as ladybirds.
  • Verticillium wilt — In heavy or poorly drained soils this soil-borne fungus causes sudden wilting and browning of stems. There is no cure — remove affected plants, do not replant Osteospermum in the same spot, and improve drainage.

Propagation

Take softwood cuttings in late spring or semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer; root in free-draining compost with gentle bottom heat. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Mountain African Daisy is mildly toxic to pets. Osteospermum is not listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. The ASPCA's 'African Daisy' non-toxic entry refers specifically to Gerbera jamesonii, not Osteospermum. In the absence of a confirmed safety listing, caution is advised; consult a vet if a pet ingests any part of the plant. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Mountain African Daisy care — frequently asked questions

What is the common name for Osteospermum jucundum?

Osteospermum jucundum is most commonly called Mountain African Daisy, but it is also known as Mountain African Daisy, Delightful African Daisy, Bergbietou. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Mountain African Daisy apply identically to anything sold as Delightful African Daisy.

How much light does mountain african daisy need?

Mountain African Daisy grows best in direct sun (at least 4-6 hours). Full sun in a warm, south-facing aspect; flowers close in overcast conditions and at night, and flowering is greatly reduced in shade.

How often should I water mountain african daisy?

Water mountain african daisy every 7–10 days during the growing season. Maintain even moisture during active growth; reduce watering significantly in winter. Plants are moderately drought-tolerant once established but dislike waterlogged soil. The finger-test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) beats a fixed weekly calendar because pot size, light, and season all change how fast the soil dries.

Is mountain african daisy toxic to cats and dogs?

Mountain African Daisy is mildly toxic to pets. Osteospermum is not listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. The ASPCA's 'African Daisy' non-toxic entry refers specifically to Gerbera jamesonii, not Osteospermum. In the absence of a confirmed safety listing, caution is advised; consult a vet if a pet ingests any part of the plant.

What USDA hardiness zone does mountain african daisy grow in?

Mountain African Daisy is rated for USDA zone 9-11 and RHS hardiness H3. Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.

Mountain African Daisy deep-dive guides

Every aspect of mountain african daisy care, each with its own calibrated guide:

Featured in these plant shortlists

Mountain African Daisy qualifies for 4 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

Related guides

Mountain African Daisy is also known as Mountain African Daisy, Delightful African Daisy, and Bergbietou.