Felicia Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners
Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 25th Nov 2023
In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Felicia plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.
- Plant Characteristics: Felicia plants boast vibrant blue or violet daisy-like flowers, bringing a splash of color and charm to any garden. Their compact growth habit and prolific flowering make them a favorite among gardeners.
- Ideal Growing Conditions: Thrives in well-drained soil and full sun exposure. Consistent watering and light fertilization promote healthy growth and abundant blooms.
- General Care: Regular deadheading encourages continued flowering. Protect from frost and avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
- Tips for New Gardeners: Blue Marguerite is low-maintenance, making it ideal for beginners. Focus on proper sun exposure and avoid waterlogging for optimal growth. Watch for aphids, though they rarely pose a severe threat.
Blue Daisy, Blue Marguerite, & Kingfisher Daisy: Cultivation & Garden Use
Members of the Felicia genus are half hardy perennials that are often grown as half hardy annuals by gardeners.
They have pretty Blue petals, and yellow eyes that resemble daisies.
Felicia has a very long flowering season from Summer through Autumn, and are beloved by gardeners who like to use them as either an edging plant or in borders.
Felicia amelloides - Blue Daisy - by Luisar; creative commons.
They can grow from 15 to 50 cm (6 to 20 inches) in height and have a shrub-like nature.
Some of the more common names for Felicia plant genus members include Kingfisher Daisy, Blue Daisy, and Blue Marguerite.
Commonly Grown Felicia Species
Felicia uliginosa
Felicia uliginosa by Peganum.
Shade tolerant alpine perennial that performs best in full sunlight.
The 5 cm (2 inch) wide flowers are a lilac-blue, and appear in the summer. Leaves are a dark green and resemble needles.
Grow in an area with good sunlight in a moist soil with good drainage for best results.
Felicia amelloides
Felicia amelloides by Yewchan, CC.
This deciduous plant is commonly referred to as the Blue Marguerite or Kingfisher daisy. It is a long-lived perennial that carries attractive blue rayed flowers with a yellow center.
The rosette leaves are evergreen and coarse. The stems are leafless.
It has a shrubby nature, and can reach about 50 cm (20 inches) in height.
As a perennial Felicia amelloides is able to bloom at any time of the year when grown in mild climates, but more typically flowers from late May through to the middle of summer.
As it is both drought and wind resistant it can make a great plant to grow in exposed parts of the garden.
When grown as an annual in the UK climate, this plant will most likely flower in both the summer and autumn.
Felicia heterophylla
Felicia heterophylla by 阿橋 HQ .
Commonly known as the True blue daisy, Felicia heterophylla is an annual that can reach about 35 cm (14 inches) in height.
It carries opposite lance shaped leaves that can reach 5 cm (2 inches) in length. These are hairy.
Individual flowers are a light violet color or blue. There are usually seven petals in rays, with the flowers having an Aster like appearance.
Commonly Asked Felicia Plant Questions by Gardeners
What is a Felicia plant?
It is a flower belonging to the Daisy family that is mainly native to southern Africa, though some species also occur in Eastern Africa and Arabia.
The genus itself is named after the Italian scientist Fortunato de Felice, who primararily worked in the field of natural law.
What are the best Growing Zones for Felicia
Plants do well as perennials in USDA Zones 8b/9a to 10, while it is classified in the RHS UK Zone H3, making it hardy down to about -5°C (23°F).
Plants can readily be grown in containers and brought indoors for the winter in colder locations.
How tall are Felicia?
As a large genus, with 85 species, it is no surprise that there is quite a variation in the height of Felicia plants. As a generalization, members can be considered to be shrub or sub-shrub like with an height of 15 to 60 cm (6 to 24 inches).
Felicia aethipica - Kingfisher Daisy by David Jones.
What is a good location in the garden for Felicia?
Felicia are tough plants making them ideal for growing in parts of the garden that are windy or suffer from dry soils.
They can make attractive edging plants, can be grown in a container — it does great in large window boxes or planters, as part of a rock garden, or in beds and borders.
Be sure to locate them in a sunny part of the garden. You may wish to grow in a location with partial afternoon shade in very hot areas for best results.
How do you Care for them?
They are tough plants that pretty much look after themselves so long as the soil has good drainage.
They are not prone to any major diseases and do not require to be pruned. Aphids may be a problem, if so wash them off with soapy water.
How do you Propagate Felicia?
They can easily be propagated from cuttings taken from the stem tops or by sowing seed directly outdoors after the last frost of spring. Lightly cover the seeds. Seeds can also be started off indoors about six to eight weeks in advance of transplanting out.
Felicia Growing and Care Guide
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Family: Asteraceae.
Life Cycle: Half hardy perennial usually grown as a half hardy annual by gardeners.
Height: 8 to 20 inches (20 to 50 cm).
Native: Southern Africa.
Growing Region: Can be grown as short lived annuals in zones 1 to 10. Or as a perennial in zones 9 and 10, UK H3.
Flowers: Summer and autumn.
Flower Details: Blue and yellow, pink/mauve, white. Daisy-like. Ray florets/Disc florets. Number of rays is variable depending on species (7 to 20).
Foliage: Green. Narrow. Ovate.
Sow Outside: Cover seed. Following last frost. Spacing 6 to 18 inches (15 to 45cm).
Sow Inside: Mix seeds in a growing medium, place in a freezer bag, keep moist, then stratify by refrigeration for three weeks. Germination time: one month. Temperature 65 to 70°F (18 to 21°C). Start seven or eight weeks before expected last frost. Transplant outdoors a few weeks after the the last frost when the minimum temperature remains above 41°F (5°C).
Requirements: Full sunlight. Good drainage. Average soils. Drought tolerant. Provide shelter from winds. Regular watering. Propagate: cuttings in late summer or autumn. Further Information and References: Plantz Africa and North Carolina Plant Toolbox.
How to Grow Kingfisher Daisy, Felicia
Kingfisher daisy and other Felicia can be grown outdoors by sowing out after the last frost of spring; the seeds should be lightly covered with topsoil.
They like to grow in an area that is sunny and well drained, with an average soil.
If you prefer to start Kingfisher daisies off indoors then they should be prepared about seven weeks before they are due to be put in the garden, a few weeks after the last frost of spring.
The seeds should be imbibed by placing the seeds (within soil) in a black bag, then placing in the refrigerator for three weeks.
Seeds should then be allowed to germinate at a temperature of 15 to 21 degrees Celsius; they normally take about a month to germinate.
Once growing Felicia should be planted out with a spacing of 15 cm (small) to 45 cm (large species).
Caring for Felicia in the garden
It is easy to maintain Felicia; they should be watered in the dry months of summer.
If you require more Felicia plants then cuttings can be took towards the end of summer.
Common Questions
How many members does the Felicia genus have?
The Felicia genus consists of about 84 species.
Do members of Felicia make a good garden or landscaping plant?
Yes, Felicia, or Blue Daisies, are loved for their vibrant blue flowers and are great for rock gardens, borders, or containers.
Which Felicia species are most frequently grown by gardeners?
Felicia amelloides (Blue Daisy) is the most commonly grown species due to its attractive blue flowers.
Are members of the Felicia plant genus fragrant?
No, Felicia flowers are not typically fragrant.
What is the perfect location to grow Felicia?
Felicia enjoys full sun and well-drained soil. They're great for sunny borders or rock gardens.
Is Felicia invasive in the USA, if so in which states?
Currently, Felicia is not considered invasive in the USA.
How do I remove Felicia plants from my garden?
To remove Felicia, simply pull the plants out, making sure to get all of the roots to prevent regrowth.
Summary
The Felicia genus, also known as Blue Daisy or Kingfisher Daisy, includes about 84 species of flowering plants native to Africa. These annuals or perennials are beloved for their cheerful, daisy-like flowers that appear from spring to fall, typically in shades of blue or purple.
Felicia plants prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They can be grown from seeds or cuttings. Ideal for borders, rock gardens, or containers, they are also drought-tolerant and can attract butterflies. With their vibrant colors, they can add a lively touch to any garden.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Felicia plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ Aster family growing guides: How to grow Buphthalmum and Ursinia plants.
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