The Dentist Athanasia


The Dentist Athanasia

Athanasia dentata

Scientific name

This fast-growing water-wise shrub grows to about 1.5m high. This beautiful showy long lasting flowering daisy is also great for the insects like bees and monkey beetles. It bounces back easily from a severe cutback to about 10cm, best done in Autumn whenever it starts looking leggy. Remove flower heads and pinch off the tip of the stems to keep its bushy shape.

It has been very useful for restoration after severe disturbance as a hardy plant. Careful: Ericas, buchus and proteas are sensitive to chemicals released from this perennial daisy. Plant separately.

The bitter plant is used in traditional medicine to treat many symptoms.

Propagation instructions

By seed

Seed should be sown in autumn, in situ or in seed boxes, and the young seedlings transplanted when about 5 cm tall.

By cutting

Tip cuttings root easily under mist. Use a sandy, well-drained soil mix. Pinching out the growing tip ensures a sturdy well-branched plant.

References and further reading

PlantZAfrica profile »

Wikipedia page »

Image credit: Tony Rebelo
We currently have no seeds of this species in our seedbanks. Do you have any seeds or do you know where we can get some? Get in touch!
Nursery Quantity
Busiswa 1
Fynroots 2
Marlise's Nursery 2
Mother Nursery 70
Nadine´s nursery 10
Total 85

Important characteristics

Conservation status: Least Concern

This species was selected because it has various important characteristics.

It provides medicinal value

Fast-growing

Drought-resistant

Pioneer species

Easy to grow

Attracts butterflies

Suitable for sandy soil

It provides food for:

Honeybees/flies

Monkey beetle

Athanasia dentata is indigenous to: Cape Flats Dune Strandveld Peninsula Shale Renosterveld

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