To get a sense of how easy it is to grow gazanias in your garden, you only need to know that the plant is considered a weedy nuisance in some areas.

That's not to say that your yard will be overwhelmed with these brilliant flowers if you start growing them this year. According to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, gazanias grow best in USDA hardiness zones 8B through 11. These represent warm, tropical climates such as the Gulf Coast; by contrast, Connecticut falls into zones 5A through 7B.

However, gazania will readily grow in a variety of climates. While it can be grown year-round in warmer areas, it should be treated as an annual in places with cold winters.

Gazania, also known as the treasure flower or African daisy, is native to South Africa. The Cornell University Cooperative Extension says the plant will bloom between the late summer and early autumn, with flowers closing at night and opening on sunny days.

The flowers themselves come in a variety of warm colors such as orange, red, and yellow. As an added bonus, these flowers will attract butterflies and bees to your garden.

One quality that makes gazania easy to grow is its tolerance for drought as well as most types of soil. Sarah Morse, writing for SFGate, says the plant is able to grow in a variety of soil types and pH levels. Sandy, warm, well-drained soil is ideal.

Choose a site with full sunlight. If you want to start gazania early, you can plant it indoors about six to eight weeks before the last anticipated spring frost. The Cornell University Cooperative Extension says seeds can be scattered and covered lightly. The soil should be above 60 degrees in order for germination to take place. Morse recommends keeping about 12 to 18 inches of space between multiple plants.

Once the seeds are planted, add enough water to keep the soil moist. After this point, natural rainfall will likely be enough to meet the plant's needs. If three weeks have passed without rain, you should add some more water to encourage growth.

Deadheading the flowers, or removing those which are starting to fade, can help prolong the bloom. Gazanias won't need any fertilizer in soils with good fertility, but can benefit from a balanced fertilizer in the second season if your soil lacks nutrients.

While you won't be able to preserve gazanias outside during the winter, it is easy to keep them growing by transplanting the plant indoors. Jamie McIntosh, writing for About, says it should be kept in a sunny window and periodically watered to keep the soil from getting too dry. Once spring rolls around, you'll be able to plant outdoors using seeds or basal cuttings from the plant. The Missouri Botanical Garden recommends taking cuttings in the late summer or early autumn and cultivating them indoors during the winter.

The most common problems associated with gazania are related to moisture levels. If the soil gets too wet, it can suffer from root and stem rot. Powdery mildew can also be an issue, and mealybugs may appear under some circumstances.

McIntosh says gazania's ability to grow in hot conditions allows it to be planted in areas that won't sustain more delicate plants. It works well as a border plant along driveways or walkways, but is also a good choice for rock gardens, containers, and hanging gardens.