perennial

Treasure Flower

Gazania linearis

The Story

Plant Bio

Gazania linearis is a low-growing, mat-forming evergreen perennial from southern Africa that produces narrow, dark green leaves with woolly white undersides. Solitary, daisy-like flower heads rise above the foliage on short stems, opening in bright morning sunlight and closing at night or during overcast weather.

This species is exceptionally cold-hardy for a gazania, surviving winter temperatures down to USDA Zone 5 when provided with perfect drainage. The bright yellow or orange ray florets feature dark brown or black spots at their bases, forming a contrasting ring around the central disk.

Uses & Benefits:

Ornamental UsesProvides a low, dense mat of glossy green foliage topped with bright, sun-responsive daisy-like flowers.
Practical UsesOffers exceptional drought tolerance and stabilizes soil on dry, sunny banks or coastal dunes.
Ecological BenefitsAttracts generalist native bees, honeybees, and other insect pollinators to dry, sunny garden areas.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

10"

Width

24"

Light

Full Sun

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Low

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Southern Africa

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Spring – Summer

J
F
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A
M
J
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In flower about 6 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

  1. Select a planting site that receives full, unobstructed sunlight throughout the day.
  2. Amend the planting area with coarse sand or gravel if the soil is heavy or slow-draining.
  3. Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and set the plant so the crown sits slightly above the soil line.
  4. Water sparingly until established, then rely on natural rainfall except during extreme drought.

Pro Tip

Plant in the sharpest possible drainage, as heavy or waterlogged winter soils cause rapid crown rot. Avoid heavy pruning into old, leafless woody crown tissue, which has poor regenerative capacity.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

  • Grow in sandy, light-textured, or gravelly soils.
  • Deadhead spent flower scapes regularly to prolong the blooming period.
  • Ensure the planting site has flawless drainage to prevent root rot.

Don't

  • Do not plant in heavy, wet, or waterlogged clay soils.
  • Do not overwater or allow standing water around the crown.
  • Do not apply heavy fertilizer, which causes leggy growth and reduces cold hardiness.

Seasonal Care Calendar

TaskJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Deadhead
Divide
Pest Check
Spring Cleanup

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Rock gardensCoastal plantingsGroundcover for dry slopesBorder edgingContainer specimens

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Treasure Flower questions

What zones can Treasure Flower grow in?

Treasure Flower is hardy in USDA Zones 5–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

When does Treasure Flower bloom?

Treasure Flower typically blooms in spring through summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Treasure Flower need full sun?

Treasure Flower does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Treasure Flower drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Treasure Flower handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.

Keep exploring

Grow Treasure Flower with confidence

See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.