Gerbera Plants In Pots: ‘I Find I Need To Control Their Position Quite Precisely’
Chris is a gardening writer and nature enthusiast. He graduated from Oxford Brookes University in 2022 with an MA in Psychology. Chris works with the Leeds Green Action Society, helping their food cooperative by growing various fruit and vegetables on their two allotments in Hyde Park, Leeds.
Reviewed By COLIN SKELLY
Colin is a Horticulturist and Horticultural Consultant with experience in a range of practical and managerial roles across heritage, commercial and public horticulture. He holds the Royal Horticultural Society’s Master of Horticulture award and has a particular interest in horticultural ecology and naturalistic planting for habitat and climate resilience.
IN THIS GUIDE
While gerberas appear to be just one flower, they are in fact made up of hundreds of little flowers all clustered together, making them a unique little plant.
While many gardeners choose to grow their gerberas in flower beds, if you don’t have the space or want to brighten up an urban courtyard, porch or decking, planting them in containers or pots is the way to go.
“I grow Gerberas in pots because I find I need to control their position quite precisely and move them inside if it becomes wet for prolonged periods,” shares Colin Skelly, a Horticultural Consultant.
“I can also change the location as the year progresses to ensure maximum sunlight.”
Choosing A Container
Depending on the species, gerbera daisies usually grow between 15-45cm, so to grow a single plant you will want to choose a pot at least 15cm deep and wide to provide them with adequate room to grow.
Gerberas also require well-drained soil, otherwise they will be in danger of developing root rot, crown rot and powdery mildew.
This means you will need to choose a container with drainage holes at the bottom.
Where To Grow
Gerberas thrive in sunlight, so you must choose a sunny spot for them.
If you are keeping them indoors, choose a south or west-facing windowsill.
If this isn’t an option, in dark and gloomy rooms, artificial light will give them the boost they need to survive.
If you are keeping your gerberas outside, be sure to place them somewhere that will provide shelter from strong winds.
Choosing A Potting Mix
Light potting mix is best for gerberas and should be free from contamination.
Including sharp sand will aid with the drainage as it will create channels for excess water to drain through.
You will also want to mix in organic matter such as garden compost or peat-free multi-purpose compost.
How To Plant Gerberas
You can find ready-to-plant gerberas in garden centres.
Planting gerberas in containers is super easy, just follow these simple steps and you can’t go wrong.
- Fill the container or pot with potting mix.
- Dig a hole big enough for the root ball and place the plant in the hole, making sure the crown lies just above soil level.
- Cover the base with more potting mix and water until the soil is moist, avoiding saturating the soil.
Potted Gerbera Care
You do not need to water gerberas too frequently, just water them when the topsoil is a little dry, taking care not to splash the leaves.
To encourage healthy blooming periods, you can feed your gerberas every 2-3 weeks with a well-balanced fertiliser.
Once the flowers have died, it’s important to deadhead them.
That should be everything you need to know about growing gerberas in containers or pots.
We hope you found this article useful and that you feel ready to get cracking and pot up your plants.
