Repotting guide

When & how to repot Gaillardia 'Arizona Sun' (Gaillardia x grandiflora 'Arizona Sun')

Also called Arizona Sun blanket flower.

More about gaillardia 'arizona sun'

About Gaillardia 'Arizona Sun'

Gaillardia x grandiflora 'Arizona Sun' · also called Arizona Sun blanket flower · flowering

Gaillardia 'Arizona Sun' is an award-winning compact blanket flower bearing large mahogany-red daisies edged in bright yellow from early summer until frost. Bred for uniform, fast flowering from seed, it loves full sun and dry, well-drained soil, tolerates heat and drought, and is a magnet for bees and butterflies.

Mature size: About 30 cm tall and 30-40 cm wide (12 in by 12-16 in).

Watch for — Crown / root rot: The commonest killer, caused by wet or rich soil. Plant in fast-draining ground and avoid winter wet to keep plants alive.

How to tell gaillardia 'arizona sun' needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For gaillardia 'arizona sun', watch for these signs:

Roots growing out of the drainage holes, or the rootball lifting the plant proud of the rim.
Soil that has shrunk away from the pot sides and no longer holds water.
The pot is unstable because the plant has grown top-heavy.
Old, compacted, broken-down mix that stays wet too long — for a succulent that is a rot risk, so refresh it even if the pot size is fine.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot gaillardia 'arizona sun'

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Gaillardia 'Arizona Sun''s growth habit — compact, bushy, clump-forming perennial often grown as an annual; first-year flowering from seed, with a long, prolific display of single daisies above grey-green foliage. — sets the pace. Gaillardia 'Arizona Sun' is an award-winning compact blanket flower bearing large mahogany-red daisies edged in bright yellow from early summer until frost. Bred for uniform, fast flowering from seed, it loves full sun and dry, well-drained soil, tolerates heat and drought, and is a magnet for bees and butterflies.

What size pot to step gaillardia 'arizona sun' up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Gaillardia 'Arizona Sun' stores water and rots in a large pot of slow-drying soil. A tight terracotta pot that dries fast is far safer than a generous plastic one. Never up-pot a succulent by several sizes.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot gaillardia 'arizona sun'

Spring or summer, while gaillardia 'arizona sun' is in active growth and warm, is best — roots recover fastest then, and the plant is not sitting in cool damp soil. Avoid repotting a succulent in winter dormancy.

Step-by-step: repotting gaillardia 'arizona sun'

Repot dry. Do not water gaillardia 'arizona sun' for several days first. Working with dry roots and dry mix dramatically lowers the rot risk for a succulent.
Pick a snug, fast-draining pot. Choose terracotta one size up at most, with a drainage hole. Have gritty well-drained, lean sandy or loamy soil ready.
Tip it out and clean the roots. Slide the plant out, crumble off the old soil, and trim any black, mushy or dead roots with clean snips.
Pot into dry mix. Set gaillardia 'arizona sun' at its original depth in dry gritty mix, firming gently. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
Wait a week before watering. Leave it completely dry and out of harsh sun for about 7 days so any damaged roots callus. Only then water lightly.

Aftercare

Keep gaillardia 'arizona sun' completely dry and out of fierce sun for about a week so any nicked roots callus before they meet moisture; watering a freshly repotted succulent is the classic way to rot it. Then resume the normal lean, dry rhythm. Do not fertilise for about 3 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for gaillardia 'arizona sun'

Gaillardia 'Arizona Sun' wants well-drained, lean sandy or loamy soil. Thrives in poor, dry, gritty ground with sharp drainage. Avoid heavy, fertile or waterlogged clay. Slightly acidic to neutral pH of about 6.1-7.0 is ideal. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting gaillardia 'arizona sun' — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot gaillardia 'arizona sun'?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for gaillardia 'arizona sun'. Repot gaillardia 'arizona sun' every 2–3 years into a snug pot of well-drained, lean sandy or loamy soil, ideally in spring or summer. Let it sit in dry soil and do not water for about a week afterwards so any nicked roots can callus. Over-potting and watering straight away is what rots succulents.

What size pot does gaillardia 'arizona sun' need?

When is the best time of year to repot gaillardia 'arizona sun'?

Should you water gaillardia 'arizona sun' after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot gaillardia 'arizona sun' into dry mix and wait about a week before the first watering so any damaged roots callus over. Watering a freshly repotted succulent is the single most common way to rot one.

Should you fertilise gaillardia 'arizona sun' after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting gaillardia 'arizona sun'. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.