Because its pattern is so simple and easy to recognize, the daisy is the most recognizable flower of all. For generations, crayon-drawn daisies have been on people’s fridges, and the plant has become a part of pop culture, everyday language, and even politics.
Some flower lovers think that the phrase “fresh as a daisy” comes from the flower’s ability to get its beauty rest. Daisies close up at night and open up again in the morning. Histories of the English Language say that the phrase was first used in London’s The Town and Country Magazine in November 1778.
Daisies grow in all shapes, habits, and colors, and theyre wildly popular among pollinating insects. Want a butterfly garden? Plant daisies. Want flowers to complement asters, echinacea, and sunflowers? Plant daisies. Want to find out whether he loves you, or loves you not? You guessed it; plant daisies!.
Interesting fact: “daisy” comes from the untangled spelling of the flower’s Old English name, “days eye.” Many types of this plant are native to North and Central Europe, with a few coming from Africa and Asia. They have crossed the ocean and become naturalized in the New World.
Daisy flowers, like those of other plants in the Asteraceae family, are all capitula. There are two types of flowers: petals (or rays) and central disks. All of the flowers together make up a single head, or capitulum.
“Daisy” is the shortened version of “days eye,” the untangled spelling of its Old English name. Many types of this plant are native to North and Central Europe, and some are even from Africa. They have crossed the ocean and become naturalized in the New World.
No matter how easy daisies are to grow, theyre difficult to track by their botanical classifications. The names “Asteraceae” and “Compositae” can be used for the same family. This group of plants is also sometimes called the “daisy family” or the “aster family.” ” Worse still, nearly every daisy species has its own genera. Maybe LBJ had it right, and daisies should be associated with going nuclear.
Nah. Once you get past the nomenclature, youre out of the woods. Growing daisies from seed is so easy, even a pantsless duck can do it.
With their cheerful, familiar flowers, daisies are a favorite for gardens of all kinds Their simple elegance and hardiness make them an ideal pick for beginner and expert gardeners alike But if you’re planting daisies from seed, how long does it take before you’ll see those iconic blooms?
Daisy growth rates can vary somewhat depending on the specific species and growing conditions. But generally speaking, most daisies are quick to sprout and will flower their first year when grown from seed. Here’s a deeper look at daisy germination times, growth stages, and factors that affect development
Getting to Know Daisies
The term “daisy” encompasses a wide range of flowering plants in the Asteraceae family. Some popular types include:
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Oxeye daisy Classic wildflower with large white petals and yellow center that can spread aggressively. Perennial.
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English daisy: Dainty, low-growing daisy reaching just 4-6 inches tall. Often grown as an annual.
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Shasta daisy: One of the most popular daisies with robust white blooms. Perennial that grows 2-3 feet tall.
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African daisy: Prolific bloomer in colors like orange, yellow, white and pink. Annual that grows 8-16 inches tall.
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Gerbera daisy: Large, bright daisies ideal for cut flowers. Tender perennial best grown as an annual.
While growth habits vary, most daisies are undemanding, bloom freely, and grow rapidly from seed.
Germination Timeline
When sowing daisy seeds directly in the garden, here’s a general timeline for what to expect:
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Days 1-14: Seeds germinate. Sprouts push through the soil surface.
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2-4 weeks: Seedlings establish roots and grow initial leaves.
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4-8 weeks: Plants grow foliage and develop mature growth habit.
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8-12 weeks: Flower buds start to form.
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10-14 weeks: Flowers begin blooming by mid to late summer.
These timeframes can fluctuate based on several factors explored further below. But in most cases, daisies sown in spring or early summer will bloom their first year.
Growing Conditions for Fast Growth
To maximize growth rates for rapid daisy flowering, optimize these growing conditions:
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Sunlight: Grow in full sun (at least 6 hours direct sun per day).
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Soil: Plant in average garden soil with good drainage. Prefers slightly alkaline pH.
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Water: Water regularly to keep soil consistently moist but not saturated.
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Temperature: Performs best in warm conditions between 60-75°F.
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Fertilizer: Apply balanced fertilizer monthly or compost tea weekly once established.
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Maintenance: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage new blooms.
With proper care in ideal conditions, most daisies will bloom prolifically just 10-14 weeks from sowing seed.
Factors that Impact Growth Rate
Several factors can influence how quickly daisies grow and reach flowering stage:
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Species: Some daisies are programmed genetically to grow and bloom faster than others. Smaller species tend to mature most rapidly.
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Weather: Cool, overcast conditions slow growth. Hot, sunny weather accelerates development.
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Location: Plants grown outdoors often grow quicker than indoor-started seedlings.
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Plant Spacing: Adequate spacing prevents crowding and promotes healthy plants.
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Soil Quality: Rich, loamy, well-draining soil fuels faster growth.
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Maintenance: Proper watering, fertilizing, and deadheading keeps plants vigorous.
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Pests/Diseases: Damage from pests and diseases stresses plants, slowing progress.
Considering these variables will help you estimate realistic timeframes for the daisies you want to grow.
Tips for Getting Daisies to Bloom Faster
Here are some useful tips to help expedite flowering in your daisies:
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Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your last expected spring frost for a head start on growth.
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Use row covers or cold frames to extend the growing season and protect from frost.
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Amend soil with compost or organic fertilizer before planting.
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Water in the morning to allow leaves to dry out during the day and avoid diseases.
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Mulch around plants to conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds.
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Prune spent blooms and dead growth to direct energy to new flower production.
With optimal care, you can shave weeks off the typical daisy flowering timeline.
Enjoying Season after Season
One of the great aspects of growing daisies is that many are perennial and will return reliably each year once established. The first year wait for flowers is well worth it when you can enjoy their beauty every spring and summer for years to come.
Planning your daisy garden around their quick yet variable growth habit will ensure success. A bit of patience paired with attentive care will have your garden awash in charming, vibrant daisy blooms before you know it.
Our Favorite Daisy Types
These are our most popular daisies, grouped together by aesthetic. You might think about how well they would go with other plants in the Asteraceae family as you read about them.
When choosing the right plants, make sure to look at the individual catalog pages. Before you start planning your garden, make a list of which species are annuals and which are perennials.
Shasta daisies (Chrysanthemum maximum) are very popular because they can handle a lot of damage and have beautiful, bright orange centers and snow-white petals. Theyre the descendant of a hybrid of the wild ox-eye daisy and a Japanese daisy species. They make excellent cut flowers thanks to their long stems and prolific blooms. Shasta daisies are the biggest of the traditional white types. They can grow to be 18 to 30 inches tall and 12 to 24 inches wide.
For a slightly more compact version, pick up some ox-eye daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum) seeds. A carpet of white English daisies (Bellis perennis) will give you a dwarf variety that grows to about 6″ tall. We also carry creeping daisy, (Chrysanthemum paludosum) a spreading annual groundcover that easily reseeds itself.
You should really check out our painted daisies (Chrysanthemum carinatum) if white daisies are too plain for you or if you want a little crazy color in your daisy patch. These clumping annuals, which are sometimes called “tricolor chrysanthemums,” can grow up to 36″ tall and look great next to Shasta daisies. Different groups of flowers with ringed patterns radiating out from their dark burgundy and pink centers can be found on each plant. Like other tall daisies, they make stunning cut pink, yellow, orange, and lavender flowers. Try planting them near purple coneflowers or in front of tall sunflowers.
Order our colored English daisy mix if you want your daisy garden to have softer colors and a range of textures. The thin, quill-like flowers on some of the plants look a lot like Koosh balls. Lavender, white, and pink double-layered flowers with big centers have petals that are a little rough. They grow on small, 4″ to 6″ plants that are perfect for pots.
Gloriosa daisies (Rudbeckia gloriosa) could very well fit into the funkalicious category. Theyve got prominent, dark-and-lavender centers and orangey-red inner petals that melt into bright yellow pointed tips. Theyre a perennial African daisy that grows as tall as 36″.
Some sites confuse R. gloriosa with black-eyed susans (R. hirta), which are also on occasion called gloriosas, so make sure youre ordering the correct species.
There are different kinds of yellow, white, salmon, and gold flowers in our African daisy mix (Dimorphotheca sinuata/Dimorphotheca aurantiaca). Some flowers have bicolor tendencies, but they are all included. These annuals, which grow 8″ to 16″ tall, are a good middle ground between species that grow close to the ground and those that grow taller, like ox-eyes and Shastas.
African daisies are among most drought-tolerant daisies, and they reseed freely. Like ox-eyes, they can run rampant in pastures, so take care to keep them in check.
A Daisy for Every Garden
You might not have a heart at all if you don’t like daisies. So, unless you’re a bad guy who kicks puppies, you might want to add this classic plant to your garden.
Each daisy species has its own growing requirements, but in general, theyre very easy to cultivate and maintain. Following are very generalized recommendations for raising daisies from seed and keeping them healthy through the seasons. For more detailed instructions, you should look at the descriptions in the catalog or the directions on the seed packet.
Daisies in Full Bloom ‘ Daisy May’
How long does it take a daisy plant to grow?
You can expect them to germinate in 10-20 days. Daisy plants will bloom the following year after one season’s growth. Planting rooted plants: Dig a hole that is twice the diameter of the pot in came in. Then place the plant in the hole, using care to ensure that the top of the root ball is flush with the surface of the soil.
How do you grow Daisies?
Grow daisies in full sun for the best blooms. Soil should be moderately fertile—too rich, and you’ll get more vegetation than flowers. The soil should also be moist but well-draining. To improve soil fertility before planting, loosen the soil to a depth of 12 to 15 inches, then mix in a 2- to 4-inch layer of compost.
Can English Daisies be grown from seeds?
English Daisies can be grown from seeds. To start daisies from seed, collect and sow the seeds from the plant as soon as they are ripe. For areas with harsh winters, it is very easy to direct sow English daisy seeds in the early spring with these steps: Prepare the soil by mixing in compost or other organic material.
Can Daisies grow from seed?
Many varieties of daisies are quick growers, able to be planted from seed in the spring and show off their full-grown blooms in late summer, says Sherwood. Daisies are also readily available at garden centers throughout the season. If you plant from division or cuttings in the fall, prepare the plant for winter, says Langelo.