Treasure Flower Gazania 'Big Kiss White Flame' (Kiss Series)
ABOUT
The Gazania 'Big Kiss White Flame' is a vibrant and eye-catching flowering plant known for its striking blooms. The flowers are large with a bold pattern; they feature a bright white color at the petals' edges which transitions to a fiery red near the center. This gradient creates a dramatic contrast that resembles flames, giving the plant its name. The petals are broad and slightly overlapping, with a silky and slightly ruffled texture that adds to their visual appeal. The center of each flower boasts a golden yellow disc, which is often speckled with tiny black dots, adding an extra layer of intricacy to the bloom. This stunning centerpiece is surrounded by dramatic red markings that seem to radiate outwards, enhancing the flame-like appearance of the petals. The foliage of the plant consists of dense, green leaves that are lance-shaped with slightly serrated edges. These leaves form a compact and neat rosette at the base of the plant, serving as a lush backdrop that further accentuates the vivid colors of the flowers. The Gazania 'Big Kiss White Flame' is prized for its daisy-like flowers and ability to add a splash of intense color to any garden setting.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Treasure Flower, African Daisy.
Common names
Gazania rigens 'Big Kiss White Flame'
ToxicityTo humans
Gazania is not known to be toxic to humans. Ingesting any part of the plant typically does not result in poisoning or serious health consequences.
To pets
Gazania is also not known to be toxic to pets. It is generally considered safe, and ingestion of the plant should not cause poisoning or serious health issues in pets.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Mixed
Height
10 inches (25 cm)
Spread
12 inches (30 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
South Africa
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: The bright flowers of Gazania are known to attract bees and butterflies, which help pollinate surrounding plants.
- Drought Tolerance: Gazania thrives in dry conditions, making it ideal for areas with water restrictions or arid climates.
- Low Maintenance: Gazania plants are easy to care for, requiring minimal attention once established.
- Long Blooming Season: These plants boast a long flowering period from early summer to the first frost, ensuring lasting color in the garden.
- Sun Loving: Gazanias flourish in full sun, making them suitable for sunny borders, containers, and rock gardens.
- Adaptable: Gazanias can grow in a variety of soil types as long as there is good drainage.
- Versatile Usage: Their colorful and abundant blooms make them great for ground cover, edging, or as container plants.
- Salt Tolerant: Gazania is tolerant to salt spray, which is beneficial for gardens near the ocean or in urban environments with deicing salt runoff.
- Weed Suppression: The dense growth of Gazania can help suppress weeds in the garden.
- Color Variety: Gazania 'Big Kiss White Flame' adds a unique color pattern to landscapes with its striking white and red-striped petals.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Photography - Gazania flowers are often used by photographers for practicing macro photography due to their vibrant colors and detailed textures.
- Artistic Inspiration - The striking appearance of Gazania flowers can serve as inspiration for artists and designers, influencing patterns, color palettes, and compositions in their work.
- Educational Tool - Educators may use Gazanias to teach botany and plant biology, focusing on aspects like plant structure, pollination, and adaptation to sunlight.
- Eco-friendly Confetti - Dried Gazania petals can be used as a biodegradable confetti alternative for celebrations, minimizing environmental impact.
- Nature Crafts - Gazania petals and leaves can be incorporated into crafts such as pressed flower projects or homemade greeting cards.
- Dye Source - Natural dyers may use Gazania flowers to extract pigments for coloring fabrics, yarns, or papers.
- Gardening Challenge - Gardeners might use Gazania 'Big Kiss White Flame' to compete in gardening competitions, showcasing their horticultural skills.
- Living Mulch - Gazanias can be planted as ground cover to act as living mulch, helping to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
- Theme Gardens - Gazanias are used to create thematic gardens, like a 'Fire and Ice' theme with the contrasting colors of 'White Flame' next to dark or red flowering plants.
- Bee Awareness - These plants attract bees and can be used in educational settings or gardens to raise awareness about the importance of pollinators.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiGazania is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityGazania is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Beauty and Diversity: Gazania, also known as Treasure Flower, symbolizes the beauty and diversity of nature due to its vibrant, multi-colored petals, echoing the flower's origins in South Africa's diverse landscapes.
- Cheerfulness: With its bright and striking appearance, Gazanias are often associated with cheerfulness and can be used to brighten someone's day or to convey a sense of happiness in gardens.
- Perseverance and Resilience: Gazanias are hardy plants, capable of thriving in tough conditions. Their ability to endure and bloom in poor soils and sunny environments symbolizes perseverance and resilience in life.
- Attraction and Adoration: The bold and flamboyant 'Big Kiss White Flame' variety, with its stunning flame-like pattern and large blooms, represents attraction and adoration, making it a perfect gift to someone you deeply admire.
WaterThe Gazania, commonly known as Treasure Flower, should be watered deeply once every week, depending on the weather and soil conditions. It's essential to let the soil dry out between waterings to mimic the drought-like conditions of its native environment. When you do water, aim to provide about half a gallon for smaller plants or up to 2 gallons for larger, established plants. Overwatering can cause root rot, so it's crucial to ensure good drainage. During the peak summer heat, you may need to water more frequently, but always check the soil moisture first.
LightTreasure Flowers thrive best in full sun conditions, receiving at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Place them in a location where they can bask in unobstructed sunlight to promote the best flowering and growth. They are perfect for sunny borders or as a vibrant addition to a rock garden, where they can benefit from the maximum intensity of the sun.
TemperatureTreasure Flowers prefer warm temperatures and do best in an environment where temperatures are between 50°F and 75°F. They can withstand occasional dips down to about 30°F but are not frost-tolerant and should be protected from cold snaps. During the active growing season, maintaining a temperature range that avoids dropping below 50°F at night and not exceeding 75°F during the day is ideal.
PruningPrune Treasure Flowers to remove dead or faded flowers, which encourages further blooming throughout the season. This light, regular pruning, often called deadheading, can be done every few weeks or as needed to maintain aesthetics and promote healthy growth. The best time for significant pruning is in the late winter or early spring, just before the new growth begins.
CleaningAs needed
SoilGazanias thrive in well-draining soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 6.5. A good mixture for Gazania, commonly known as Treasure Flower, includes loam, peat, and coarse sand. Ensure organic matter to foster healthy growth. Regularly check that the soil isn't too damp to prevent root rot.
RepottingTreasure Flowers should be repotted every 1-2 years to refresh the soil. They don't often outgrow their pots rapidly due to a compact root system, so repotting is more about soil health than size.
Humidity & MistingTreasure Flowers are drought-tolerant and prefer low to moderate humidity conditions. They do not require high humidity levels to thrive and are well-suited to the dry air found in most home environments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright light, avoid overwatering.
Outdoor
Full sun, well-drained soil, protect from frost.
Hardiness zone
9-11 USDA
Life cycleGazania 'Big Kiss White Flame', commonly known as Treasure Flower, begins its life cycle with seed germination, where the conditions should be warm and bright for optimal growth. Following germination, seedlings develop true leaves and can be transplanted into individual pots or garden beds. As the plant enters vegetative growth, it develops a strong root system and robust foliage, preparing for flowering. The flowering stage, typically reached in early summer, showcases the plant's large, daisy-like flowers with white and red flame-patterned petals. After pollination, often facilitated by insects, the plant sets seed, with the flowers closing at night or during cloudy weather. The life cycle can be completed when seeds are collected or naturally dispersed, ready to germinate and start the cycle anew.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Summer
Gazania 'Big Kiss White Flame', commonly known as Treasure Flower, is usually propagated through seeds. The most prevalent method involves sowing the seeds in spring when the risk of frost has passed. You will want to use a well-draining soil mix and gently press the seeds into the surface, as they need light to germinate. Maintaining a consistent temperature of about 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) will provide the ideal conditions for seed germination, which typically takes between 7 and 14 days. Once seedlings are sturdy enough to handle and after ensuring they are well acclimated to outdoor conditions, they can be transplanted outdoors into a sunny location with good soil drainage.
