How to Grow and Care for Gerbera Daisies

Gerbera daisies are native to South Africa and part of the Aster family. The varieties that youll find at nurseries and in seed catalogs today are hybrids bred for their vividly colored flowers. Gerbera daisies are divided into four classes single flower semidouble flower double flower and spider flower. 
In warm climates Gerbera daisies are grown as tender perennials that come back every year. In areas with cold winters they are treated as annuals and planted in garden beds or containers after all danger of frost has passed in the spring

Gerbera Daisy Care
If you live in a climate where winters are cold and snowy it is best to buy nurserygrown starter plants.
Although most varieties are also easily grown from seed they are relatively slow to
develop which narrows the window of their singleseason growth period unless you start the seeds indoors in late winter or early spring. Otherwise starting Gerbera daisies from seed is feasible only in warmer climates where they wont succumb to the first fall frosts. 
Here are the main care requirements for growing a Gerbera daisy 
Select a location that receives full sun to partial shade in the hot afternoon hours.
Plant Gerbera daisies in soil that is rich in organic matter and slightly acidic. The crown of the plant should be about 12 inch above the soil line so make sure not to plant too deeply.
Water newly planted Gerbera daisies regularly. Give established plants about 1 inch of water per week and more in hot dry weather.
During the winter keep perennial gerbera daisies at a temperature between 45 and 50 degrees F.
Feed them monthly during the spring and summer with a watersoluble fertilizer.
Harvest your Gerbera daisies when the flowers are fully opened but the center remains tight.
To keep Gerbera daisies blooming and showy deadhead spent blooms.
Light
Gerbera daisies thrive
best under full sun but do not like intense heat. If you live in a climate that experiences particularly hot summers or afternoons for that matter try to plant your Gerbera daisies in a location with afternoon shade. You should also avoid planting flowers near a structure that reflects heat onto the plant such as a foundation or stone wall.
Soil