Treasure Flower Gazania 'Cookei'
ABOUT
Gazania 'Cookei', commonly known as Treasure Flower, is a vibrant and eye-catching plant. It showcases a splendid display of daisy-like flowers, the petals exhibiting a spectrum of colors ranging from deep oranges and reds to yellows and whites, often with contrasting stripes or patterns that lead into a central disc. The blooms can appear in solid hues or a dazzling combination, making each one uniquely striking. The foliage of the Treasure Flower forms a dense and lush ground cover, the leaves characterized by their spoon-like shape and a silvery green tone that sometimes presents with a downy texture, adding to the tactile experience of the garden. Each leaf may also display a variable hint of white or gray felt-like undersides. The arrangement of the leaves and flowers emerges from a central point, creating a lush and colorful rosette. It is this rosette formation that adds to the Treasure Flower's charm, with the blooms rising just above the foliage on individual stalks, greeting the sun with vibrant warmth. As the day progresses, the blossoms of the Treasure Flower tend to follow the sunlight, closing in the evening or on cloudy days, and reopening with the morning light. The contrast of the brilliant flowers against the muted foliage makes Gazania 'Cookei' a standout in any garden setting, drawing the eye and often attracting pollinators such as butterflies and bees.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Treasure Flower, Cooke's Gazania, Cooke's Daisy
Common names
Gazania 'Cookei'.
ToxicityTo humans
Gazania 'Cookei', commonly referred to as Treasure Flower, is not known to be toxic to humans. There is little to no available evidence suggesting that ingesting or handling the plant causes adverse health effects in people. Therefore, no specific symptoms of poisoning or consequences are associated with it concerning human toxicity.
To pets
Treasure Flower is not commonly listed as toxic to pets. There does not appear to be significant evidence suggesting that ingestion of this plant by animals such as cats and dogs results in poisoning. As such, specific symptoms related to the toxicity of Treasure Flower in pets are not well documented or reported. However, it is always advisable to monitor your pets around plants and contact a veterinarian if any unusual behavior or signs of distress are observed after ingestion.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Mixed
Height
0.5 feet (0.15 meters)
Spread
1 feet (0.3 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
South Africa
Benefits
General Benefits- Drought Tolerance: Gazania 'Cookei', or Treasure Flower, is highly resistant to dry conditions, making it suitable for water-wise gardens.
- Low Maintenance: Treasure Flowers require minimal care, making them ideal for gardeners seeking low-effort plants.
- Attractive Blooms: The plant produces vibrant, daisy-like flowers that add a splash of color to any garden space.
- Long Flowering Season: Treasure Flowers boast a long blooming period, ensuring a colorful display for much of the year.
- Pollinator Friendly: The blooms attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, supporting biodiversity.
- Heat Tolerance: Gazania 'Cookei' can withstand high temperatures, perfect for hot, sunny locations.
- Groundcover: The plant's growth habit makes it an excellent groundcover option, reducing soil erosion and suppressing weeds.
- Versatile Usage: Treasure Flowers are suitable for borders, rock gardens, and containers, offering flexible design possibilities.
- Deer Resistant: Generally resistant to deer, reducing the risk of damage in areas with deer populations.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Gazania 'Cookei', commonly known as Treasure Flower, can serve as a natural mulch as their dense growth can help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
- Treasure Flowers can be used as a living ground cover for controlling erosion on slopes due to their rooting system.
- The bright flowers of Treasure Flower are excellent for adding vibrant color to floral arrangements and bouquets.
- Dried Gazania flowers can be used for craft projects such as making bookmarks, greeting cards, or decorative wreaths.
- Children can use Treasure Flowers to learn about plant biology in an educational setting due to their easy-care nature and attractiveness.
- Gazania can be utilized in sensory gardens as they have a variety of textures and colors which are stimulating to sight and touch.
- Treasure Flowers can be planted in xeriscapes, gardens designed to reduce or eliminate the need for watering, due to their drought tolerance.
- Gazania 'Cookei' can be used to attract beneficial insects like bees and butterflies to the garden, enhancing pollination of other plants.
- Gardeners can use Treasure Flowers in companion planting to detract pests from more vulnerable plants in the vicinity.
- They can be used in landscaping to create a natural transition between manicured lawns and wild garden spaces, providing habitat for wildlife.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Gazania is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Gazania is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Optimism: Gazanias, with their bright and cheerful flowers, often symbolize optimism and a positive outlook on life. Their ability to open in the presence of sunlight is a metaphor for embracing the light and warmth of positive thoughts.
- Diversity: With their wide range of colors and patterns, gazanias represent diversity and variety, celebrating differences and individuality.
- Secret Love: In the language of flowers, gazanias can symbolize a secret love or admiration that one might have for another, reflecting the discreet way these flowers close up at night or during cloudy weather.
- Endurance: Gazanias are known for their hardiness and ability to withstand tough conditions, representing endurance and the ability to thrive in the face of challenges.
WaterTreasure Flowers should be watered once the top inch of the soil feels dry, typically every 7-10 days, depending on the weather conditions. Avoid overhead watering to minimize wetting the foliage, instead, use a soaker hose or water at the base of the plant. In hot and dry conditions, they may need more frequent watering. Provide about 1-2 gallons of water per plant, ensuring it reaches the root zone without leaving the soil waterlogged.
LightTreasure Flowers thrive best in full sunlight, where they can receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. They are ideal for a sunny border or a south-facing garden spot where the light is unfiltered and strong. They do tolerate partial shade, but flowering is often reduced in less than full sun conditions.
TemperatureTreasure Flowers prefer warm conditions and can withstand temperatures from just above freezing to about 90°F. They struggle in temperatures below 30°F and are generally considered tender perennials. The ideal temperature range for these plants is between 50°F and 75°F.
PruningPruning Treasure Flowers regularly by deadheading spent blooms helps encourage more flowers and extends the blooming season. The best time to prune is in the late winter or early spring when new growth begins. If the plant becomes leggy, it can be cut back by up to half its size to promote bushier growth.
CleaningAs needed
SoilTreasure Flower prefers well-draining, sandy to loamy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5 to ensure optimal growth and flowering. An ideal soil mix would be composed of two parts sand, two parts garden soil, one part peat or compost to improve nutrient content, and a small amount of perlite to enhance drainage.
RepottingTreasure Flowers, being resilient and drought-tolerant, do not require frequent repotting. They should be repotted every 2 to 3 years, or if the plant becomes root-bound or the soil is exhausted.
Humidity & MistingTreasure Flower is adaptable to a wide range of humidity levels but thrives best in dry to average humidity conditions. It does not require high humidity and can tolerate the dry air of typical indoor environments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Keep Treasure Flower in a very bright spot and let soil dry between waterings.
Outdoor
Plant Treasure Flower in full sun and well-draining soil for best performance.
Hardiness zone
9-11 USDA
Life cycleGazania 'Cookei', commonly known as Treasure Flower, begins its life cycle as a seed, which will germinate in warm conditions with adequate moisture, typically in the spring. After germination, it develops a root system and a rosette of lance-shaped leaves. As it matures, the plant produces a sturdy stem that carries large, daisy-like flowers, often brightly colored with a distinctive darker ring at the base of the petals, during the warmer months. Following pollination, which is often facilitated by insects attracted to the vibrant blooms, the plant sets seed again, completing its reproductive cycle. Under favorable conditions, Gazania 'Cookei' can also spread vegetatively through its rhizomes. At the end of the growing season or during unfavorable weather, the plant may die back, but it can regrow from its rootstock if it's perennial in that climate or from fresh seeds in the following season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
For the Treasure Flower 'Cookei', or more commonly known as Gazania 'Cookei', the most popular method of propagation is through seeds. This is often done in the spring, after the last frost, when soil temperatures have warmed sufficiently. To propagate Gazanias from seed, gardeners should start the seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost. They should sow the seeds in a well-draining seed starting mix, lightly covering them with soil as they need light to germinate. It’s important to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and the seeds typically germinate within 7-14 days at a temperature of around 70°F (21°C). Once seedlings have developed and danger of frost has passed, they can be transplanted outdoors, taking care to space them approximately 12 inches (30 centimeters) apart to allow for sufficient growth and air circulation.
