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Gerbera
Gerbera jamesonii
Reviewed by Kiersten Rankel M.S.
QUICK ANSWER
Crown division produces a flowering plant in 4 to 6 weeks because each division already has roots and an active growth point.
Seeds take 2 to 4 weeks to sprout but bloom only 16 to 20 weeks later, and seeds from named hybrids will not produce offspring that match the parent.
Seeds take 2 to 4 weeks to sprout but bloom only 16 to 20 weeks later, and seeds from named hybrids will not produce offspring that match the parent.
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Crown division
Best when your plant has multiple visible crowns at the soil line
From seed
Best for growing many plants at once when you do not need a true clone
Crown division
Time
4–6 weeks to bloom
Level
Intermediate
Success rate
High
You'll need
A sharp clean knife
4 to 6 inch pots with drainage
Light, well-draining potting mix
Sulfur powder or cinnamon (for cut surfaces)
Bright shade for the first week
1
Pick a plant with at least 3 crowns
Look at the soil surface for distinct rosettes of leaves growing from separate points. Each rosette with its own leaf cluster is a crown. A 2-year-old Gerbera typically has 3 to 5 crowns ready to divide. Younger plants do not yet have enough crowns to split.
2
Lift the entire plant in early spring
Tip the pot or dig the plant up from the garden in early spring before flower buds appear. Brush soil away from the crown so you can see exactly where each rosette starts. Spring division is much more reliable than dividing during active flowering.
3
Cut crowns apart cleanly
Use a sharp knife to slice straight down between crowns, taking a section of root with each. Each division should have at least one full leaf rosette and several thick roots. Smaller pieces struggle to establish.
4
Dust the cuts with sulfur
Sprinkle sulfur powder or cinnamon on every cut surface, both root and crown. Gerbera is highly susceptible to crown rot at fresh wounds. The dusting forms a barrier against fungal entry.
5
Pot at the original soil depth
Plant each division in a pot of well-draining mix. The crown must sit slightly above soil level, never buried. A buried crown will rot within days. Press the soil firmly around the roots.
6
Water once and shade for a week
Water deeply once after planting, then place in bright shade for 7 days. Resume normal watering once you see new leaves.
Flowers appear within 4 to 6 weeks if you divide in early spring.
Flowers appear within 4 to 6 weeks if you divide in early spring.
WATCH FOR
The crown turns black and the leaves collapse within a week. That is crown rot from burying the crown too deep or watering too soon. Lift the division immediately, trim off any blackened tissue with a sterile blade, dust with sulfur, and replant with the crown sitting clearly above the soil line. Healthy divisions stay green at the crown and push new leaves within 2 weeks.
From seed
Time
16–20 weeks to bloom
Level
Beginner
Success rate
Moderate
You'll need
Fresh Gerbera seeds (under 6 months old)
A seed-starting tray with drainage
Light seed-starting mix
A clear plastic dome or bag
A seedling heat mat (recommended)
1
Source fresh seeds and check viability
Gerbera seeds are long thin needles with a feathery tail and lose viability within a year. Buy from a recent harvest source or harvest from your own plants right after the flower fades. Old seeds simply will not sprout.
2
Sow point-down on the surface
Fill the tray with seed-starting mix and water lightly. Push each seed point-down into the soil so the feathery tail sticks straight up. Do not bury the tail. Gerbera seeds need light to germinate.
3
Cover with a dome and add bottom heat
Place a clear dome or plastic bag over the tray to hold humidity. Set on a heat mat at 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Bottom heat speeds germination from 4 weeks down to 2 weeks.
4
Mist as needed and watch for sprouts
Check moisture every 2 days and mist the surface if it dries out. Sprouts appear in 2 to 4 weeks as small green spikes. Once half the seeds have germinated, take the dome off so airflow can prevent damping off.
5
Pot up at the second true leaf
Once each seedling has 2 sets of true leaves beyond the cotyledons, ease it out and pot into a 3-inch pot of houseplant mix. Plant at the same depth, never deeper. The crown must stay above soil level.
6
Grow on in bright light
Move to bright indirect light or morning sun. Feed weekly with a quarter-strength balanced fertilizer.
The first flower opens about 16 to 20 weeks after sowing. Note that seeds from named hybrid Gerberas produce variable offspring with different colors and forms than the parent.
The first flower opens about 16 to 20 weeks after sowing. Note that seeds from named hybrid Gerberas produce variable offspring with different colors and forms than the parent.
WATCH FOR
Seedlings flop over and the stem turns black at soil level. That is damping off from too much moisture or no airflow. Take the dome off, water from below only, and discard collapsed seedlings to stop the spread. Healthy seedlings stand upright with firm green stems.
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About This Article
Kiersten Rankel M.S.
Botanical Data Lead at Greg · Plant Scientist
Editorial Process
Propagation methods verified against Gerbera jamesonii growth data from Greg's botanical database, cross-referenced with USDA hardiness zone data and published horticultural research.
3,235+ Greg users growing this plant
USDA hardiness zones 8a–11b