Gerbera daisies (Gerbera jamesonii) are popular garden plants, celebrated for their large, vibrant, daisy-like blooms that come in a spectrum of colors. The question of whether a Gerbera is a perennial that returns each year or an annual that must be replanted is a common source of confusion for many gardeners. The true nature of this brightly colored plant is determined almost entirely by the local climate where it is grown.
The Technical Classification of Gerbera
Botanically, the Gerbera daisy is classified as an herbaceous perennial, meaning the plant has the genetic capacity to live for more than two growing seasons. This plant is native to the warm regions of South Africa, where it naturally persists year after year. A true perennial lives for multiple seasons, often with the above-ground foliage dying back in winter while the root system remains alive to regrow in the spring.
The Gerbera is not an annual, which completes its entire life cycle—from germination to seed production—in a single growing season before dying. The Gerbera develops a robust, clump-forming crown and a substantial root system designed for long-term survival. This deep-rooted structure confirms its perennial status in its native habitat and in climates that mimic warm, mild conditions.
Gardeners often refer to the Gerbera as a “tender perennial” because it cannot withstand cold temperatures. This term highlights that while the plant is genetically a perennial, it is not cold-hardy enough to survive the freezing conditions common in many temperate gardening regions. The plant’s inability to tolerate frost is the main reason its classification becomes ambiguous outside of its original warm environment.
Hardiness Zones and Climate Impact
The survival of a Gerbera daisy through winter is directly linked to the minimum temperatures experienced in a specific region, as mapped by the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone system. These plants are reliably perennial only in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 through 11, where winter temperatures rarely drop below 20°F. In these zones, the plant’s crown and root system easily survive the mild winter dormancy period outdoors.
Gardeners in Zone 8 may keep their Gerbera daisies alive with significant winter protection, such as applying a thick layer of insulating mulch over the crown. However, in zones 7 and colder, the plant’s delicate crown will be killed by persistent ground freeze. When a plant cannot survive the winter outdoors, it must be treated as a seasonal annual.
In cold climates, the Gerbera is planted in spring after the last frost and enjoyed for a single season of bloom before succumbing to the first hard freeze of autumn. The plant functions as an annual because the local climate prevents it from expressing its natural perennial life cycle. Treating the plant as an annual avoids intervention, but requires purchasing new plants every spring.
Practical Care for Cold Climates (Overwintering)
For gardeners in colder regions who wish to save their Gerbera plants, overwintering them indoors is a successful strategy. The plant must be brought inside before the first significant frost, generally when nighttime temperatures consistently drop below 40°F. This process requires moving the plant into a container if it was planted in the ground, or preparing the existing container.
Before relocating, prune back the foliage and spent flower stalks to approximately one inch above the crown. Check the plant carefully for signs of pests, such as aphids or spider mites, which can spread quickly indoors. Treat the plant with a gentle horticultural soap or oil before moving it to its indoor location.
The ideal indoor environment for overwintering is a cool, bright location, such as an unheated sunroom or a basement with a south-facing window. Temperatures between 45°F and 60°F are best, encouraging the plant to enter a state of semi-dormancy. During this time, dramatically reduce watering, providing only enough moisture to prevent the potting mix from drying out. Minimal watering prevents the crown from rotting, which is common during winter storage.
The plant requires little to no fertilizer during its winter rest period. Once spring arrives and the danger of frost has passed, the Gerbera can be slowly acclimated to outdoor conditions. Gradually increasing water and light exposure will encourage the plant to resume active growth and prepare for the next season of flowering.