Daisies: how to plant, care for and reproduce these flowers at home

With the word «daisy» we do not refer to a single type of flower, but rather it is a generic term. It includes a total of 42 different varieties of plants that often receive local names.

The botanical name of daisy (Leucanthemum) comes from Greek and means «white flower», but daisies do not necessarily have to show white petalsThey can also be yellow, pink or purple, among others.

Daisy flower: varieties ideal for pots or gardens

In nature, daisies often grow in small groups. With a height of between 50 centimeters to one meter, They are among the largest wildflowers. Flowering time varies depending on the type of daisy, but generally runs from May to August.

Most daisies have simple flowers. They provide food for bees, butterflies and other insects in the summer months.

But there are also varieties with complex flowers. If you want to create a garden that is friendly to insects (butterflies and especially bees), you must choose a variety with simple flowers, where pollen is most accessible.

How to plant daisies

The daisies They are very robust and get along well with most soil conditions. A neutral or slightly acidic soil is ideal for most species.

You have two main options.

It is advisable to buy early young plants in specialized garden centers. You can plant daisies in a bed or in a pot. They will look prettier if you plant them in small groups. They prefer a sunny and protected place, but even a partially shaded location is not a problem for them.
You can also grow the young plants yourself in seed trays or yogurt cups, on the windowsill or sow them directly outdoors starting in May.

Most daisies are light germinators, so You just have to cover the seeds with a little fine soil, both in the seed tray and in the soil.

You should not place young daisy plants outdoors until May, as soon as night frosts are no longer expected. This is how you should plant them:

The potting soil Conventional is suitable as a substrate. If possible, use peat-free soil.
Dig holes for plants about ten centimeters away with 20 cm depth. Maintaining the planting distance is important because daisies grow very bushy later and require a lot of space.
Put the young plants in the holes. Press the soil against the edge of the planting holes to close the space between the soil and the root ball.
Finally, water the plants well. You can have the daisies in the pot on the terrace or balcony.

How to care for daisies

This is the most important thing to keep in mind when caring for daisies:

Water the daisies: Daisies need a lot of water in summer. In hot, dry periods, you should water them up to twice a day. Especially when the flowers look droopy, that is a sign of lack of water. Still, keep in mind that they do not tolerate waterlogging.
When to pay: Although they are self-sufficient, daisies They benefit from an occasional fertilizer. About every two to three weeks in summer, you can give them an organic liquid fertilizer.
Remove wilted daisies: Dry, dead flowers do not fall off on their own. Thereforeyou should clean and trim them regularly so that new flowers can form again.
The daisy flower in winter: Most types of daisies are perennials, some are annuals. However, not all perennial species are winter-hardy. Resistant varieties include, for example, meadow daisy and aster or autumn daisy. They survive the winter in your location without any problems and do not need any additional protection. Only in very strong frosts can it make sense to cover them with some weeds.

Potted Daisies: The daisies In a pot you should leave them indoors during the winter. Leave them in a cool but bright place at five or ten degrees.
Prune daisies: Before frost It is advisable to prune them and reduce them to two thirds. For some varieties, the best time to prune is before spring. You can ask your nursery expert what the needs of the daisies you purchase are.

3 options to reproduce daisies

1. Reproduce daisies by cuttings

At the end of summer you have the option of propagating your daisies by cuttings. For this, Cut the shoots approximately 15 cm long from the mother plant and place them in pots with soil.
Cover the pots with aluminum foil and keep the soil constantly moist. This creates a high level of humidity, which helps the cuttings grow.
Check the pots regularly to see if there is mold growth. In May, you can plant the young plants outdoors or in pots.

2. Reproduce daisies by division

You can also propagate daisies by dividing the plants. To do this:

Remove the plant completely from the ground and cut the root ball in half with a sharp shovel.
You can then go back to plant the two parts of the plant separately in two pots.
This method is good for the development of bushes, dividing them and changing their pot every three years.

3. Propagate daisies using seeds

in autumn Daisies bloom and seed pods form. The seeds it contains can be collected and dried so that they can be sown again in the spring. Store them in a dry, dark place during the winter.