How to Grow Marguerite Daisy

Marguerite Daisy

Argyranthemum frutescens

flower

Marguerite daisies are tender perennials prized for their cheerful daisy-like flowers and finely divided, ferny foliage. Native to the Canary Islands, they bloom prolifically from spring through fall in mild climates and are commonly grown as annuals in colder regions. Their compact, bushy growth and long flowering season make them popular for containers, borders, and mixed plantings.

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Butterfly Madeira Pink Boston Yellow Double White Red Daisy Comet

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours minimum daily for best flowering

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Water: Moderate and consistent; allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. Drought-tolerant once established but blooms better with regular watering. Reduce watering in winter dormancy.

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Spacing: 12-18 inches

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Days to maturity: 45-60 days to first flowers

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Planting depth: Seeds: 1/8 inch (surface sown, light-dependent); Transplants: at soil line

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Perlite or coarse sand for drainage Compost for organic matter Avoid heavy clay soils

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives year-round in zones 9-11; grown as cool-season annuals in zones 3-8

9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny seedlings with fine cotyledons emerge; ferny first true leaves appear within 1-2 weeks

Provide bright, indirect light; keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; maintain 65-75°F

Vegetative

3-4 weeks

Compact bushy growth develops with increasingly divided, feathery foliage; multiple stems form a rounded mound

Pinch growing tips when plants reach 6 inches to encourage branching; fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced fertilizer

Budding

1-2 weeks

Flower buds appear at stem tips; plants become increasingly full and dense

Continue light feeding with phosphorus-rich fertilizer (bloom formula); ensure consistent moisture and sunlight

Flowering

4-6 months (spring to fall in temperate zones; nearly year-round in warm climates)

Abundant daisy-like flowers in white, pink, yellow, or bi-color open sequentially; continuous bloom if deadheaded

Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage more blooms; water consistently; fertilize every 2 weeks during peak bloom

Decline/Rest

1-4 months depending on climate

In zones 9-11, plants may slow flowering in hot summers or dormant in winter; in colder zones, plants decline with frost

Prune back by 1/3 in late winter to rejuvenate; reduce watering and feeding during dormancy; in cold zones, treat as cool-season annual

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Petunias Calibrachoa Felicia Diascia Trailing ivy Senecio Scaevola Trailing verbena

Avoid planting near:

Plants requiring constantly moist soil (as they prefer drier conditions) Densely competing plants that shade them

Common Pests

Spray with strong water stream or insecticidal soap; use neem oil for severe infestations
Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap or neem oil; ensure good air circulation
Increase humidity; spray with water or neem oil; provide afternoon shade in extreme heat
Remove and destroy affected foliage; spray with sulfur or specialized miticides; poor air circulation exacerbates
Improve air circulation; remove affected leaves; avoid overhead watering; apply fungicide if severe

Uses

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Edible flowers for garnish

Culinary

Marguerite daisy petals are edible and add a delicate, slightly sweet flavor to salads, desserts, and beverages. The flowers provide visual appeal and a subtle peppery note to garnish plates. [source]

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Cut flowers and arrangements

Craft

Marguerites are excellent as long-lasting cut flowers in bouquets, vases, and mixed arrangements. Their cheerful appearance and sturdy stems make them popular for both casual and formal floral designs. [source]

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Container gardening and patio color

Household

Their compact growth and prolific blooming make them ideal for hanging baskets, window boxes, and mixed container plantings. They add continuous color to patios, decks, and entry gardens throughout the growing season. [source]

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Pollinator attraction

Wildlife

Marguerite daisies attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects with their open-faced flowers and abundant nectar. They provide a vital food source for pollinators during their long blooming period. [source]

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Traditional herbal use

Medicinal

In some traditional herbal traditions, marguerite flowers have been used in infusions or teas for mild digestive and calming properties. However, scientific evidence is limited and they are primarily ornamental in modern practice. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Not harvested for fruit or seed in typical cultivation. For flower arrangements, cut stems early morning after dew dries; blooms last 5-7 days in a vase. To collect seeds, allow some spent flowers to dry on plant; seeds mature in 3-4 weeks; harvest when seed heads brown and dry.

Fun Facts

🌱 Marguerite daisies are native to the Canary Islands and were named 'Marguerite' by the French, meaning 'pearl,' referencing their delicate white petals
🌱 They can bloom nearly year-round in Mediterranean and subtropical climates, making them a reliable source of color in frost-free regions
🌱 Argyranthemum means 'silver flower' in Greek, referring to the silvery-gray foliage visible beneath the bright blooms

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