Hardiness zones
Sunset All zones as an annual, zones 8,9,11-24 as a herbaceous perennial
USDA All zones as an annual, 9-11 as a herbaeous perennial.
Landscape Use: Ground covers, large and small scale, container plant, hanging basket, floral accent, winter or summer annual for flower borders depending on ecoregion.
Form & Character: Low prostrate and spreading, bright, cheerful with a tinge of mystery caused by the purple and white flowers
Growth Habit: Sprawling ground cover that as a perennial might be able to cover up to or more than 50 ft2.
Foliage/Texture: Alternate, narrow espathulate to oblanceolates succulent green leaves to 4" long, leaves with a few coarse serrations, succulent stems sometimes have a purple cast, medium texture.
Flowers & Fruits: Carpet of purple and or white perfect ray flowers born on 6" stalks. Fruit inconspicuous, but fertile.
Seasonal Color: White and/or purple flowers in winter and early spring in Phoenix. In colder climates, can bloom during summer.
Temperature: Tolerant to 25oF, struggles to survive in full sun in Phoenix during summer.
Light: Full to partial sun
Soil: Tolerant of soil alkalinity
Watering: Regular irrigations in desert areas
Pruning: None except to control spread. in late winter. Do not frequently shear!
Propagation: Extremely easy from softwood cuttings.
Disease and pests: BROWN SNAILS!
Additional comments: Overused in California landscapes as a ground cover. In Phoenix because of the high summer heat, trailing African daisy should be grown as a cool season annual or biannual.