How to propagate Gerbera daisyGerbera jamesonii

A practical guide to making more Gerbera daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) at home — the right method, the right time of year, and what to expect.

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Method
Division, Seed
Difficulty
Moderate
Best season
Spring
Time to root
No rooting needed

How to propagate by division

Division is the most straightforward way to multiply Gerbera daisy: you split the root ball in spring, giving each section its own roots and shoots. The new plants establish quickly because they already have a mature root system.

  1. Water the plant thoroughly the day before dividing — well-hydrated roots are more resilient.
  2. Slide the plant gently out of its pot. If it's stuck, run a knife around the inside edge.
  3. Shake off the loose potting mix to expose the root system. For clumping plants, you'll see distinct crowns or growing points.
  4. Tease the clumps apart by hand where possible. For tightly bound roots, use a clean sharp knife or pruning shears — each section needs at least one healthy shoot and a decent portion of roots.
  5. Pot each division into fresh, well-draining potting mix at the same depth it was growing before.
  6. Water gently, then place in indirect light for 1–2 weeks while the plants settle. Avoid direct sun and fertiliser for the first month.
  7. New growth is the sign that the plant has adjusted. After 4–6 weeks, resume normal care.

Other ways to propagate

Seed

Growing Gerbera daisy from seed is the slowest method but rewarding if you're patient. It works best when seeds are fresh.

  1. Sow seeds in spring in a tray of moist, fine-textured seed-starting mix. Press them gently into the surface without covering deeply.
  2. Cover the tray with a clear lid or plastic wrap to maintain humidity.
  3. Keep at 20–25 °C in bright indirect light. Bottom heat from a seedling mat speeds germination.
  4. Once seedlings have two or three true leaves, prick them out carefully and pot individually into small pots of potting mix.
  5. Gradually harden off to normal room conditions over 2–3 weeks before treating as a mature plant.

Track your cuttings

Botanicaly logs each of your Gerbera daisy plants with its own watering schedule, light reading, and care reminders — so your new cutting gets exactly the same care as the parent from day one. Free on iOS and Android.

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Common questions

What is the best way to propagate Gerbera daisy?

The most reliable method for Gerbera daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) is division. It requires some care but is well within reach of most houseplant owners.

When should I propagate Gerbera daisy?

The best time is spring, when the plant is actively growing and roots form most quickly.

How long does it take Gerbera daisy to root?

Division and offset separation work quickly because each new section already has its own root system — it's not rooting from scratch but re-establishing.

Propagation method based on genus-level horticultural knowledge — accurate for the vast majority of specimens in this species.

More about Gerbera daisy

Hand-checked against Botanicaly's verified plant catalog and ASPCA records by the Botanicaly team, led by founder Ludvig Nyström. How we verify our plant data → · Last reviewed: 2026-07-19