Treasure-flower

Year-round

Gazania is a low, spreading daisy-flowered groundcover valued for heat and drought tolerance; it needs full sun and sharp drainage to thrive in the Houston area's humid climate.

• Plant in full sun with well-drained soil; Houston's heavy clay and humidity can lead to root rot if drainage is poor.
• Water sparingly once established; overwatering in humid conditions is a bigger risk than underwatering.
• Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continued flowering through the season.
• Flowers close on cloudy days and in the evening, which is normal and not a sign of stress.

Kept deadheaded and edged, it reads as a tidy flowering border rather than an unmanaged planting.

Fall

Blooming continues into fall in the Houston area's mild autumn weather before growth slows with cooler temperatures.

• Continue light watering and deadheading as temperatures ease.
• Reduce feeding as growth slows heading into winter.
• Divide or take cuttings in early fall if you want to expand plantings.

Winter

Gazania is evergreen and can survive mild Houston winters but is damaged by hard freezes.

• Expect some foliage damage during hard freezes; established plants often resprout from the crown.
• Hold off on major pruning until freeze risk has passed.
• Keep the bed on the dry side through winter to avoid crown rot in cool, wet soil.

A freeze-damaged patch can look ragged; trimming back dead foliage once frost risk passes restores a tidy appearance.

Spring

Spring planting gives gazania time to establish before Houston's summer heat and humidity peak.

• Plant after the last frost once the soil has warmed.
• Water regularly until new roots are established, then taper off.
• Watch for the first flush of blooms as days lengthen.

Summer

Gazania handles Houston's heat well but is vulnerable to root and crown rot in humid, poorly drained soil.

• Water only when the soil has dried out; humid summer air already keeps moisture around the crown.
• Watch for yellowing or mushy stems, a sign of overwatering or poor drainage.
• Deadhead regularly to keep flowers coming through the hottest months.