The gerbera is one of the most readily available flowering plants for sale in nurseries, garden centers and local markets, and for good reason: this is the season when it is most beautiful, since that is when its flowers burst. forcefully and open, exposing their precious petals. But, due to its tropical origin, it is good to consider whether it is intended for indoors or outdoors, otherwise we risk losing it before its time.
And it is that although it is not difficult to take care of it, it can be demanding when grown in a place with cold winters, and even more so if there are frosts. For all that, we will explain to you if the gerbera is indoor or outdoor.
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What is the ideal climate for gerberas?
Whether we are going to have it outdoors or indoors, it is important that we know what the ideal climate is for the gerbera. In this way we can give her better care, because if it is cold, for example, we will know that we have to protect her; or if, on the contrary, the temperatures are warm (but mild) throughout the year, it can be grown outdoors.
Therefore, first of all, it is worth knowing that the gerbera belongs to a homonymous genus (Gerbera), which includes about 30 varieties, which They are native to Africa and Central and Tropical Asia.. The most cultivated species is gerbera jamesoniiwhich is a plant native to South Africa, more precisely from the Transvaal region.
The climate that allows the growth of this flower is therefore tropical.. With an average annual temperature of 18°C, it should not survive frost, although it can tolerate cold. Extreme temperatures are around 30 ºC maximum in summer and around 10 ºC in winter. In addition, during the summer period, it receives rain thanks to which it can grow and flourish.
And now that we know that, let’s see if it’s inside or outside.
Is the gerbera indoor or outdoor?
Much will depend on the weather in our area. If, for example, in winter the temperatures drop below 0 degrees, it is better to have it at home; but if not, then you can be outside with no problem. Another thing we can do is keep it indoors as long as we can bring it to a room with lots of light, otherwise it won’t be able to grow or produce its beautiful flowers.
As it is a relatively small plant, it is possible to keep it in a pot throughout its life. For this reason it is especially recommended to have it in one if we live in an area where it is cold, since as soon as the temperatures drop we can put it in the house. An alternative, if we want to enjoy it in the garden, is to plant it without removing the pot. So, when the time comes, we can easily remove it, without causing any damage.
What care do you need?
Finally, if you want to know how to take care of the gerbera, here is a maintenance guide that you must have in order to be able to keep it for years:
Location
- Outside: if you are going to have it outside, it is important that you place it in a sunny place, where it receives at least 4 hours of direct light.
- Inside: at home, it should be placed in a room where there is a lot of light, for example near a window. But yes, don’t put it right in front because it could burn. Also remember to turn the pot a little every day so that all parts of the gerbera receive the same amount of light.
soil or substrate
the gerbera needs a soil rich in organic matter and light. If planted in heavy, easily waterlogged soil, the roots will be damaged. For this reason, if you are going to plant it in the garden, you must first ensure that the soil drains water quickly, by making a hole of about 40 x 40 centimeters and filling it with water. If it takes more than half an hour to absorb it, you will need to fill it with a mixture of peat and perlite in equal parts.
On the other hand, if it is going to be in a pot, you can put a universal substrate of well-known brands, such as Flower, Boom Nutrients or BioBizz. By clicking on the links, you can buy the one you want.
Irrigation
How often should you water the gerbera? In fgeneral, it will be done every 5 or 6 days in winter, and every 2 or 3 days in summer. But be careful: it will depend a lot on the climate of the region, and the fact is that the higher the temperatures are and the less it rains, the more you will have to water.
We will pour the water on the ground until we see it soaked. If it is in a pot, we will do this until it comes out of its drainage holes. And in addition, it is advisable to water in the afternoon, especially in summer, so that the plant can better take advantage of the water.
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It is advisable to pay the gerbera in spring and summer. This way you will have better health. To do this, you can use fertilizers or liquid fertilizers, such as guano or a specific for flowering plants. By following the instructions for use, we will make it beautiful.