1 named cultivar

‘Large Marge’Large Marge Arctotis

perennial

Arctotis

Arctotis stoechadifolia

The Story

Plant Bio

Arctotis stoechadifolia, African daisy, is a spreading perennial from the Cape Province of South Africa, one to two feet high, grown as an annual in most climates. Large grey-green toothed leaves are covered in fine hairs that give a woolly silver look, and daisy flowers one to three inches across open in white, cream, orange and pink.

The flowers close at night and in dull weather, opening only in direct sun — a shaded or overcast site gives you silver foliage and little else. That foliage is worth having in its own right. It thrives on heat, drought and poor sandy soil, and is one of the better daisies for a coastal garden where salt defeats most bedding.

Uses & Benefits:

Large bright daisies over woolly silver-grey foliage that carries the plant even out of flower.

Thrives on heat, drought, poor sandy soil and coastal salt where most bedding fails.

Bees, butterflies and other pollinators work the open flowers through the warmest hours.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

18 inches

Width

30 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Low

Humidity

Low

Lifespan

Perennial grown as an annual

Native To

Cape Province, South Africa

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in full sun; flowers stay shut in shade.
Give it sharply drained, even poor, soil.
Water sparingly once established.
Do not feed, which gives leaves over flowers.
Deadhead to keep new flowers coming.
Take cuttings in late summer to overwinter it.

Pro Tip

The flowers only open in direct sun, so a bright but shaded position gives you foliage and almost no display.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant it in full sun ☀️
Give it sharp drainage 🌱
Deadhead through the season ✂️
Use it in coastal gardens 🌊

Don't

Plant it in shade ❌
Feed or over-water it ❌
Expect open flowers on dull days ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Deadhead
Plant Out

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Hot dry sunny bedding and bordersCoastal and seaside plantingContainers and gravel gardens

Companion Plants

Gazania Osteospermum SedumBlue Fescue Lavender

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Arctotis questions

What zones can Arctotis grow in?

Arctotis is hardy in USDA Zones 6–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Arctotis deer resistant?

Yes — Arctotis is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Arctotis bloom?

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

Does Arctotis need full sun?

Arctotis does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Arctotis drought tolerant?

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