How to Grow Felicia
Wikimedia Commons
Felicia
Felicia amelloides
flowerFelicia, commonly known as Blue Daisy or Blue Marguerite, is a tender perennial shrub native to South Africa featuring bright blue daisy-like flowers with yellow centers. It produces cheerful blooms from spring through fall and is highly valued as an ornamental plant in gardens and containers. The plant is frost-sensitive but thrives in warm climates and can be grown as an annual in cooler regions.
When should you plant Felicia in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Felicia timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Felicia
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 Felicia blooms
Around Jun 1≈ 45 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Felicia dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 9b-11; grow as annual in zones 8 and cooler
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Get my Felicia timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny green cotyledons emerge; thin, delicate stems develop small oval leaves
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright, indirect light. Thin seedlings to prevent crowding.
Vegetative
4-6 weeksPlant develops bushy growth with small lance-shaped green leaves; no flowers present yet
Pinch stem tips to encourage branching and fuller shape. Continue regular watering. Begin fertilizing every 2-3 weeks with balanced fertilizer.
Budding
2-3 weeksSmall green buds appear at stem tips; foliage becomes denser
Maintain consistent watering and sunlight. Increase phosphorus in fertilizer to support flowering. Remove any damaged or diseased foliage.
Flowering
4-6 months (spring through fall)Bright blue daisy-like flowers with prominent yellow centers bloom prolifically; multiple flowers appear simultaneously
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming. Water consistently. Fertilize every 2 weeks with bloom-boosting formula.
Dormancy/Rest
2-3 months (winter)Flowering slows significantly in winter; plant may drop some foliage in cold climates
Reduce watering in dormancy. Cut back plant by one-third in late fall. Move container plants to protected location. Minimal fertilizing needed.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Increase humidity, spray with water to dislodge, use miticide if severe. Check undersides of leaves regularly.
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Use yellow sticky traps, spray with insecticidal soap, encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs
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Spray with strong water stream, apply neem oil, use insecticidal soap early in infestation
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Improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, apply sulfur dust or fungicide, remove infected leaves
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Ensure well-draining soil, don't overwater, repot if roots are mushy, reduce watering frequency
Uses
Edible Flowers
CulinaryThe bright blue petals are edible and can be used to garnish salads, desserts, and beverages for visual appeal and a mild, slightly bitter flavor. [source]
Cut Flowers & Arrangements
HouseholdFelicia blooms make excellent long-lasting cut flowers for indoor arrangements and bouquets, lasting 7-10 days in water when properly conditioned. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeThe abundant daisy flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, making Felicia an excellent choice for pollinator gardens and supporting local ecosystems. [source]
Container Gardening
HouseholdFelicia thrives in pots, hanging baskets, and window boxes, providing cheerful color on patios, balconies, and entryways throughout the growing season. [source]
Dried Flowers
CraftFelicia flowers can be air-dried for use in dried flower arrangements, wreaths, and craft projects, retaining their blue color reasonably well. [source]
Harvest Tips
Pinch or deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote continuous blooming and bushier growth. Cut stems for fresh arrangements in the morning when stems are turgid. Felicia is primarily ornamental; harvest by removing flowers or trimming back the plant as needed for shape and size management.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Felicia flowers close up at night and on cloudy days, a behavior called nyctinasty, and reopen with sunlight—this is thought to protect pollen from moisture
- 🌱 The genus Felicia was named after Felicity Dawes, a South African botanist, and the plant is sometimes called 'Kingfisher Daisy' due to the intense blue color resembling kingfisher feathers
- 🌱 Felicia is non-toxic to pets and humans, making it a safe ornamental choice for households with curious cats and dogs
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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