The plant genus Dorotheanthus, commonly known as the Livingstone Daisy, is a popular choice for gardeners seeking vibrant, low-growing color. These South African natives are admired for their brilliant, daisy-like flowers that bloom in a stunning array of colors above succulent, fleshy foliage. Confusion often arises about whether this plant is a perennial or an annual. The answer depends entirely on the climate in which it is grown.
Defining Dorotheanthus: The Climate Factor
Dorotheanthus bellidiformis is technically classified as a tender or half-hardy perennial, meaning it is botanically equipped to live for more than two years. This plant belongs to the Aizoaceae family, often referred to as the fig-marigold or ice plant family, and originates in the arid regions of South Africa. Its perennial status is only realized in specific, consistently warm locations.
Outside of its native habitat, the plant’s survival is dictated by the presence of frost. It is reliably perennial only in the warmest regions, generally USDA Hardiness Zones 9 and above. In these mild climates, the plant functions as a lasting groundcover, persisting through multiple growing seasons.
For the majority of gardeners in Zones 8 and colder, Dorotheanthus is cultivated strictly as an annual because it cannot tolerate freezing temperatures. The first significant frost will kill the plant, necessitating yearly replanting from seed or new nursery stock the following spring. Although the plant is perennial by nature, its widespread use makes it a functional annual in most temperate gardens.
Optimal Growing Conditions
Regardless of whether it is treated as a perennial or an annual, successful growth requires replicating the arid, sunny conditions of its South African home. Dorotheanthus demands full and direct sunlight to thrive, ideally receiving six to eight hours of exposure daily. A lack of sufficient sun prevents the flowers from fully opening, as the colorful blooms close completely on cloudy days or at night.
The plant’s succulent foliage indicates a preference for well-draining soil, performing best in sandy, gritty, or poor soils. Water management is important, as the plant is highly drought-tolerant and extremely sensitive to overwatering. Excessive moisture in the soil can quickly lead to root rot and plant death.
It is better to water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out significantly between sessions. Since it flourishes in nutrient-poor environments, Dorotheanthus requires minimal, if any, fertilization. Over-fertilizing, particularly with high-nitrogen formulas, encourages excessive leaf growth at the expense of flower production.
Seasonal Maintenance and Saving Seeds
To encourage a prolonged and abundant display of color, gardeners should practice regular deadheading. Deadheading involves removing the spent, faded flowers before the plant sets seed. This technique signals that the reproductive cycle is incomplete, causing the plant to redirect energy toward producing new buds and more flowers.
As the growing season ends, gardeners in colder regions can plan for the next year by collecting seeds. Allowing a few final flowers to remain on the plant permits the seed heads to fully develop and dry out. Once the seed capsules are dry, they can be collected and stored in a cool, dark, and dry location over the winter.
Overwintering indoors is an option for preserving the plant, though it presents challenges. This involves bringing the plant inside before the first frost and treating it as a houseplant. Success depends on providing cool temperatures, bright light, and drastically reducing water to mimic a dormant period, which can be difficult to maintain. Propagation from saved seeds, sown indoors in late winter or early spring, remains the most reliable and common method for ensuring new plants.