How to Grow African Daisy 'Purple Prince'
Wikimedia Commons
African Daisy 'Purple Prince'
Osteospermum ecklonis 'Purple Prince'
flowerAfrican Daisy 'Purple Prince' is a vibrant perennial or tender annual featuring striking deep purple petals with a dark center disc, creating a bold color contrast. This South African native produces abundant daisy-like blooms and is prized for its long flowering season and low-maintenance growing habits. It brings Mediterranean flair to gardens, borders, and containers.
When should you plant African Daisy 'Purple Prince' in your zone?
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Example African Daisy 'Purple Prince' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant African Daisy 'Purple Prince'
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First African Daisy 'Purple Prince' blooms
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact African Daisy 'Purple Prince' dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 9-11; grown as an annual in cooler zones
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny, delicate seedlings with cotyledons emerging; first true leaves appear small and lobed
Keep soil lightly moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light. Thin seedlings to prevent damping off.
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksPlant develops bushy, compact foliage with lobed, gray-green leaves; no flowers yet
Pinch back growing tips to encourage branching. Water moderately when top inch of soil is dry. Feed lightly with balanced fertilizer every 3-4 weeks.
Budding
2-3 weeksFlower buds form at stem tips; plant appears full and leafy with visible green bud clusters
Maintain consistent watering and sunlight. Cease pinching. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer; apply phosphorus-rich fertilizer to promote blooming.
Flowering
8-12 weeks or longer with deadheadingAbundant deep purple daisy flowers with dark central discs open; blooms may close at night or in cloudy weather
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Maintain moderate water. Reduce fertilizer during peak bloom. Watch for powdery mildew.
Decline & Rest
Ongoing in winter/summer stressFlowering slows; plant becomes leggy and foliage thins, especially in winter or heat
In mild climates (zones 9+), cut back by half in fall to rejuvenate. Reduce watering and fertilizer. In cold climates, harvest cuttings before frost or treat as annual.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil if severe
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Increase humidity; spray with water or miticide. More common in hot, dry conditions
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil
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Improve air circulation; avoid wetting foliage; apply sulfur or potassium bicarbonate fungicide
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Improve drainage; reduce watering; remove affected plants; use well-draining soil
Uses
Edible Garnish
CulinaryAfrican Daisy petals are non-toxic and can be used as an edible garnish for salads, desserts, and specialty dishes, adding vibrant color and a slightly bitter taste. [source]
Cut Flower Arrangements
HouseholdThe striking purple blooms with contrasting dark centers make excellent cut flowers for arrangements, bouquets, and floral designs, lasting up to 10 days in water. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeAfrican Daisy flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, providing valuable nectar and pollen sources throughout the long blooming season. [source]
Dried Flower Crafts
CraftThe sturdy petals and distinctive form dry well, making them suitable for pressed flower art, potpourri, and other dried flower craft projects. [source]
Container & Border Display
HouseholdCompact growth habit and prolific blooming make 'Purple Prince' ideal for containers, hanging baskets, borders, and cottage garden schemes. [source]
Harvest Tips
Pinch or cut flower stems in early morning when blooms are fully open. Cut just above a leaf node to encourage branching. Flowers last 7-10 days in a vase. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to extend blooming season by 4-6 weeks. In zones 9+, cut back plant by half in late fall to rejuvenate for spring.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 African Daisies close their flowers at night and on cloudy days—a phenomenon called nyctinasty—to protect pollen and direct insect activity during optimal daylight hours.
- 🌱 'Purple Prince' was bred for its intensely saturated deep purple color and superior branching habit, making it more floriferous than wild Osteospermum species.
- 🌱 Despite the name 'African Daisy,' these plants are not true daisies (Asteraceae family members) but are prized for their daisy-like appearance and originate from South Africa's Mediterranean-like climate zones.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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