African Daisy Osteospermum 'Silver Sparkler' (v)
ABOUT
The Osteospermum 'Silver Sparkler', commonly known as the African Daisy 'Silver Sparkler', is a strikingly ornamental plant known for its unique foliage and charming daisy-like flowers. This variety stands out with attractive green leaves that have a silvery-white variegation, creating a shimmering effect as though the leaves are dusted with sparkles. The leaves are narrow and elongated with smooth edges, which often have a delicate and slightly serrated appearance, contributing to the plant's visual interest. The flowers of the African Daisy 'Silver Sparkler' are particularly eye-catching, with a harmonious blend of colors that draw the attention of onlookers. The petals are typically a lovely shade of purple or violet and are arranged in a radial pattern around a central disc. The disc itself is often a contrasting bright yellow or dark blue, adding a pop of color to the otherwise cool tones of the petals. On some occasions, the petal color can range towards a pink or white hue with similar contrasting centers. The overall appearance of the 'Silver Sparkler' is one of brightness and vitality, with the variegated foliage providing a lush backdrop for the colorful, daisy-like blooms that emerge in abundance during its flowering season. Its striking variegated leaves combined with its vibrant, cheerful flowers make it a popular choice for adding visual interest to gardens and landscapes, as well as for use in decorative pots and containers where its features can be admired up close. The 'Silver Sparkler' has a bushy, mounded habit, giving it a full and lush appearance without reference to its specific size dimensions.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asteraceae
Synonyms
African Daisy, South African Daisy, Cape Daisy, Blue-Eyed Daisy
Common names
Osteospermum 'Silver Sparkler'
ToxicityTo humans
The African Daisy is not known to be toxic to humans. There are no significant symptoms associated with poisoning from the African Daisy, as it is generally considered non-toxic. Therefore, ingesting parts of this plant is unlikely to cause any adverse health consequences.
To pets
The African Daisy is generally considered non-toxic to pets. Ingesting parts of this plant is not expected to result in poisoning, and there should be no significant symptoms associated with its consumption by animals such as cats or dogs.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Mixed
Height
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
South Africa
Benefits
General Benefits- Attractive Foliage: Osteospermum 'Silver Sparkler' has variegated leaves that add visual interest to gardens and landscapes.
- Drought Tolerance: It is relatively drought-resistant, requiring less water once established and suiting water-conservative gardens.
- Easy Maintenance: This variety of African Daisy is known for being low-maintenance, making it a good choice for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Pest Resistance: The plant typically has good resistance to pests, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
- Long Blooming Period: African Daisies produce flowers for an extended period, often from spring to fall, providing long-lasting color.
- Attracts Pollinators: The blooms attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, supporting biodiversity.
- Versatility: The plant is suitable for borders, containers, and as ground cover, offering a variety of landscaping uses.
- Winter Interest: In mild climates, Osteospermum 'Silver Sparkler' can provide winter interest due to its evergreen nature.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Osteospermum 'Silver Sparkler', commonly known as African Daisy, can be used in crafting for its decorative petals which are often dried and pressed into bookmarks or greeting cards.
- In photography, the vibrant colors and unique patterns of the African Daisy's flowers make it an excellent subject for macro photography and botanical illustration.
- African Daisy can be planted in outdoor pet areas as they are non-toxic to dogs and cats, making the environment both pet-friendly and aesthetically pleasing.
- The African Daisy can be used in educational settings, like school gardens, to teach children about plant life cycles and pollinator attraction.
- Due to their hardiness, they can be used in roadside landscaping to beautify urban environments and tolerate harsh conditions from traffic pollution.
- Fine art uses include using the African Daisy as inspiration or actual inclusion in paintings, due to their striking appearance and range of colors.
- The dried petals can be incorporated into homemade potpourri mixes, adding color and a mild scent to a room when mixed with other dried flowers and spices.
- The patterned petals can be used as natural stencils for creative projects, like fabric dyeing or wall art, by placing the flower on a surface and painting or spraying over them.
- The plant can be utilized as a natural dye for textiles, providing subtle hues to fabrics when boiled down with proper mordants.
- Garden designers often use African Daisy as living mulch, as it provides ground cover that suppresses weeds while adding visual interest to the garden layout.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Osteospermum, commonly known as African Daisy, is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe African Daisy is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Optimism - The 'Silver Sparkler' variety of Osteospermum, also known as African Daisy, has a bright and cheerful appearance that symbolizes a positive outlook and the anticipation of good things.
- Resilience - African Daisies are known for their ability to thrive in poor soil conditions and dry climates, representing the capacity to endure and bounce back from adversity.
- Beauty and Purity - With their delicate petals and striking patterns, these flowers often symbolize natural beauty and purity, reflecting their clean, crisp appearance.
- Transformation - As the African Daisy opens its petals to the sun, it's associated with transformation and the ability to adapt to changing environments, much like the way it tracks the sun across the sky.
WaterAfrican daisies, such as the Osteospermum 'Silver Sparkler', should be watered deeply but infrequently to encourage strong root development. In general, watering once a week with approximately one to one-and-a-half gallons per plant should suffice, assuming there is no significant rainfall. Make sure the soil dries out somewhat between waterings, but don't let it dry out completely. During the hotter summer months, you may need to water more frequently, especially if you notice the leaves wilting. Reduce the frequency of watering in the fall and winter when the plant is not in active growth.
LightAfrican daisies thrive in an environment that receives full sun for at least 6 to 8 hours a day. They perform best when planted in a spot where they can soak in the morning sunlight, which is less intense and less likely to cause stress on the plants. However, they can also tolerate partial shade, especially in the afternoon when the sun is at its strongest.
TemperatureAfrican daisies prefer moderate temperatures and do well in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11. They can tolerate minimum temperatures down to about 20°F and maximum temperatures as high as 80°F. Ideally, maintaining a temperature range between 60°F and 70°F will promote healthy growth and flowering.
PruningPrune your African daisies to encourage bushy growth and more profuse blooming. Deadheading, which means removing spent flowers, should be done regularly throughout the blooming season. Besides deadheading, cut back the plant by about one-third in early spring or late fall to keep it compact and to rejuvenate its form. Pruning is best done when new growth begins to appear.
CleaningAs needed
SoilAfrican Daisy 'Silver Sparkler' thrives best in a well-draining soil mix containing peat, perlite, and compost with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5, ensuring proper drainage and aeration around its roots.
RepottingAfrican Daisy 'Silver Sparkler' should be repotted every 2-3 years to refresh the soil and accommodate root growth, typically in the spring just before new growth begins.
Humidity & MistingAfrican Daisy 'Silver Sparkler' is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and does well in average ambient humidity found in most homes and gardens.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and avoid overwatering.
Outdoor
Full sun, sheltered spot, well-drained soil, water regularly.
Hardiness zone
9-11 USDA
Life cycleThe life of an African Daisy 'Silver Sparkler' begins with seed germination, which occurs in warm conditions with ample light. After germination, the seedling develops true leaves and a root system, then enters a vegetative growth stage, where it builds foliage and gains size. Once mature, the African Daisy 'Silver Sparkler' enters the flowering stage where it produces characteristic daisy-like blooms which can be white, purple, or pink with a dark center, attracting pollinators. Following pollination, if the flowers are allowed to senesce, they will produce seeds, thus completing the sexual reproductive cycle. As a perennial in mild climates, it may enter a period of dormancy during cooler seasons, conserving energy to re-sprout in the subsequent growing season. If environmental conditions become unfavorable or after several years, the plant will eventually senesce and die, but it may persist and regenerate through self-sowing if seeds are produced.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
The Osteospermum 'Silver Sparkler', also known as the African Daisy, is commonly propagated through cuttings. This method is particularly effective because it produces a plant identical to the parent and is faster than growing from seed. The optimal time to take cuttings for propagation is in late spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. To propagate, one would take a stem cutting of about 4 to 6 inches (approximately 10 to 15 centimeters) in length, ensuring that several leaves are present. The lower leaves are then removed, and the cut end dipped in rooting hormone powder to encourage root growth. This cutting is then planted in a moist soilless potting mix, making sure to keep the substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged. A clear plastic cover can be used to create a greenhouse effect, maintaining high humidity until roots develop, usually within a few weeks.
