Marguerite Daisy Care Guide

Marguerite daisies (Argyranthemum frutescens) are a type of daisy-like flower within the Asteraceae family. The Marguerite daisy—also called the Paris daisy, cobbity daisy, or the Canary daisy—is native to the Canary Islands. This medium-sized daisy features blooms that span two and a half inches. Marguerite daisies can grow up to three feet tall with green foliage and a shrubby appearance, which makes them ideal for mass planting. Flower colors range from pure white to pink to bright yellow with a brown or yellow center. The flat flower heads have a similar appearance to the common Shasta daisy.

Marguerite daisies can grow in a pot or a garden as flower borders or ground cover, and some cultivars grow from seeds. Follow these steps to grow marguerite daisies from seeds or transplant sprouted daisies to your garden:

1. 1. Start the seeds indoors before the last frost. To grow Marguerite daisies from seeds, start the seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost. Using a starter mix or potting soil, slightly cover the seeds and place them in a spot where they can get plenty of sunlight.
2. 2. Water the seedlings regularly. Keep the soil moist, and the seeds will germinate in 14 to 28 days.
3. 3. Transport sprouted seeds outdoors in the spring. When the seeds sprout, plant them outside in early spring after the last frost. Plant the sprouts in well-draining, fertile soil. You can work in two inches of compost and mulch into the ground to improve drainage and give the plants nutrients.
4. 4. Space the plants 12 to 15 inches apart. Whether growing from seeds or mature plants, be sure to give the daisies room to grow in your garden.

The Marguerite daisy has a long blooming time, from late spring to early fall. Like other varieties of daisies, the Marguerite daisy is low-maintenance after its established, and here is how to best care for it:

• Water Marguerite daisies once a week. After germination, the daisies will need less water—about an inch of water each week. Overwatering can lead to root rot, mold, and mildew.
• Make sure the daisies get at least six hours of sunlight a day. Marguerite daisies are temperate plants that grow best in full sun but won’t thrive in environments above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in a warmer climate, plant the daisies in a place with afternoon shade.
• Deadhead the flowers to encourage growth. Deadheading spent flowers and pruning back dead leaves will help the daisy plants bloom throughout the growing season.
• Overwinter your Marguerite daisies. The Marguerite daisy will not survive if the temperature drops below 41 degrees Fahrenheit, which is why these daisies are grown as annual plants in certain climates. If the temperature drops below freezing and you want your daisies to survive until the following year, dig them up and place them inside for the winter. As a perennial, this type of daisy will last two to three years.

Follow these steps to propagate Marguerite daisies through cuttings:

1. 1. Take cuttings: Take two to four-inch cuttings from healthy, not-yet-flowering stems in the late summer.
2. 2. Prepare the stem: Strip the lower inch of the stem of leaves and dip it in rooting hormone (available at most garden stores).
3. 3. Plant the stem: Place the stem in potting soil in an area that gets indirect sunlight, and keep the soil moist.
4. 4. Transfer outdoors: When new leaves have grown, the cutting has taken root. You can transfer it outdoors in the early spring after the last frost.

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