Gerbera jamesonii
(sold as Mini)
Family: Asteraceae
Common names: BARBERTON DAISY, TRANSVAAL DAISY
Native to: South Africa, Swaziland
Sentiment: cheerfulness
Plant
Type: perennial
Forms: clumping, erect
Max height: 1 foot
Max width: 1 foot
Flower
orange, pink, secondary color present, yellow
Leaf
green
Horticulture
Attracts wildlife: adult butterfly, specific butterfly species
Exposure: light shade, sun
Landscape uses: container, cut flower
Propagates by: seed
flowers in spring
flowers in summer
Soil type: well drained
USDA Zones: zone 8 to +10 f, zone 9 to +20 f
Temp. range: +10 to +30 °F
Water: regular
Butterflies that feed on this plant
There are 41 species of Gerbera, a member of the Compositae (Aster) family.
Gerbera jamesonii, also called BARBERTON DAISY or TRANSVAAL DAISY, is a perennial that grows to 1½ feet tall in Zones 8-9. It can be grown from seed and prefers regular watering. It blooms in spring and summer, in sun or light shade, can be grown in containers, and also can be grown from seed. It is offered in a variety of flower colors - large, attractive daisy-form blossoms. 'Mini' is a shorter variant of the parent plant.
Gerbera attracts several butterflies:
Agraulis vanillae, Gulf Fritillary
Apodemia mormo, Mormon Metalmark
Callophrys nelsoni, Nelson's Hairstreak
Danaus plexippus, Monarch
Junonia coenia, Common Buckeye
Lerodea eufala, Eufala Skipper
Limenitis archippus, Viceroy
Lycaena phlaeas, American Copper
Neominois ridingsii, Ridings' Satyr
Neophasia menapia, Pine White
Phyciodes phaon, Phaon Crescent
Plebejus icarioides, Boisduval's Blue
Pyrgus communis, Common Checkered-Skipper
Strymon istapa, Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak
Vanessa cardui, Painted Lady
Container plants that attract adult butterflies - perennial
This plant can be grown in a container and will attract and feed adult butterflies. These plant can be found in every height range – from tiny to large – from less than a foot high to over 10 feet tall.
Our database of nectar plants for all US butterflies contains over 10,000 entries. The top five nectar plants -- Cirsium, Lantana, Asclepias, Salvia, and Verbena -- will appeal to 90% of all US butterflies. Pick from these if you want to provide nectar for your local butterflies.
Once you start with these, you can add from another 630 genera in 110 plant families to attract more insects to your garden.
By far the most import butterfly nectar plant family is Asteraceae. If you grow plants in from this family, butterflies will find your garden.
