The Marguerite Daisy, aka Argyranthemum frutescens [ar-ji-RAN-the-mum, froo-TESS-enz], are excellent garden plants popular for their delicate showy nature and iconic daisy-like flowers.
Belonging to the aster/daisy family Asteraceae, the plant has earned quite a few common names, including:
- Paris daisy
- Marguerite daisy/Marguerite
- Cobbity daisy
- Summer daisy
This shrubby perennial Canary Islands native is also known as the Canary Marguerite.
The Marguerite daisy hails from South Africa and is naturalized in Italy. It’s also widely cultivated in other countries and grown in the United States, especially in southern California.
Marguerite Daisy Quick Care Tips
- Botanical Name: Argyranthemum Frutescens
- Common Name(s): Marguerite Daisy, Marguerite, Paris Daisy, Cobbity daisy, Summer daisy
- Synonyms: Chrysanthemum Frutescens
- Pronunciation: Ar-ji-RAN-the-mum, froo-TESS-enz
- Family & Origin: Asteraceae family, native to the Canary Islands
- Growability: Easy to grow
- Grow Zone: USDA zones 9-11
- Size: Can grow up to 2′ to 3′ feet tall and wide
- Flowering: Blooms from late spring/early summer until late summer/early fall
- Light: Full sun to partial sun
- Humidity: Constant humidity
- Temperature: Prefers temperatures between 60° to 70° degrees Fahrenheit
- Soil: Well-draining soil and do well in most average gardening soils with good drainage
- Water: Regular watering during the growing season
- Fertilizer: Fertilize with a well-balanced all-purpose liquid fertilizer once per month
- Pests & Diseases: Susceptible to aphids, spider mites, thrips, and leaf miners. Can also be affected by crown gall and root rot.
- Propagation: Can be propagated by seeds, stem cuttings, or by division in the spring.
- Plant Uses: Used as a bedding plant, in containers, mass planting flower beds, or as a border plant or ground cover. Attracts butterflies and bees.
Marguerite Daisy Care
Size and Growth
Under favorable growing conditions, the Marguerite daisy reaches up to 1’ foot in height with an equal spread.
The plant has an upright mounding habit with a medium growth rate and reaches maturity in 1 to 2 years.
The shrubby foliage of the Marguerite daisy is divided with grey-green leaves. Alternate leaves are fleshy and oval to oval-lanceolate in shape.
Each leaf is about 1”- 3” inches long and approximately 1” wide.
Flowering and Fragrance
Marguerite daisy is a long-blooming plant and puts on a spectacular show.
The flower color varies based on plant variety. Typically, they produce white flowers and yellow, purple, or pink daisy-like flower heads, which look similar to the Shasta daisy.
Marguerite daisy flowers have yellow centers and are approximately 2.5” inches in diameter.
The 4 to 30 flowers are born in loose umbrella grapes and are very fragrant.
They bloom freely, flowering heavily in late spring/early summer until late summer/early fall.
Light and Temperature
The plant is recommended for full sun in USDA Zones (hardiness zone) 9 through 11.
The optimal growing conditions for healthy Marguerite daisy plants are sunny but cooler temperatures similar to the climates of the Mediterranean.
However, they don’t tolerate temperatures below freezing.
They may stop flowering when summer temperatures rise above 70° degrees Fahrenheit (21° C).
Marguerite daisies love the sun and thrive as annuals under full sun in regions with cooler nights.
They also tolerate partial sun, provided all other growing conditions are met properly.
Watering and Feeding
The Marguerite daisy is drought-tolerant and has average watering needs, with regular watering during the growing seasons. You may need to increase the frequency during long dry spells.
Be careful about overwatering, as overwatering may have adverse effects.
Too much water around the roots increases the plant’s susceptibility to root rot, mildew, and mold.
Marguerite plants prefer moderate fertility and don’t require frequent feeding in organically-rich soil.
Applications of a well-balanced all-purpose liquid fertilizer once per month in garden beds and potted plants encourage better performance.
Soil and Transplanting
Luckily, the beautiful marguerite daisies are not too fussy when it comes to growing material.
- They do well in most average gardening soils with good drainage and average fertility.
- Drainage is important as it prevents the soil from retaining too much water.
- Before transplanting marguerites, make sure to water the potting mix thoroughly.
- Dig a hole slightly larger than the previous pot.
- Gently remove the plant from the pot, and tease the roots a little if the plant is root-bound.
- Place the plant in the hole, making sure the top of the root ball is level with the surface.
- Fill the gaps and firm down the soil with your hands.
- Water the soil to let it set.
Grooming and Maintenance
Encourage a compact growth habit of Marguerite daisies by pinching back tips when they begin appearing in early spring.
Most new varieties are low maintenance and can flower continuously without deadheading.
However, once the bloom period ends, deadhead and prune back dying flowers and foliage.
This will promote future flowering and shrubbier growth.
How to Propagate Marguerite Daisy
While propagation with seeds is possible, specific cultivars do not grow true from seeds.
Stem cuttings and division are the common ways the plant is propagated.
- If you do use seedlings, start them 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost before planting them outside.
- Sow the seeds indoors.
- Maintain a soil temperature of 70° degrees Fahrenheit (21° C) and let it germinate for the next 2 weeks.
Divide Marguerite Daisy in spring to mid-summer.
- Discard the woody parts of the divisions.
- Plant the remainder in the garden directly.
- Softwood cuttings are taken from non-flowering shoots in mid-spring or late summer.
- They should be 2” – 4” inches long.
- Overwinter them in a greenhouse or treat them to a cold frame with a minimum temperature of 41° degrees Fahrenheit (5° C).
Summer Daisy Pest or Diseases
Most pests don’t plague Marguerite plants. However, be on the lookout for usual suspects, including aphids, thrips, mites, and leaf miners.
Go online or visit your local garden center for natural pesticides like neem oil.
As for diseases, root rot and crown gall may be occasional problems.
Moreover, Marguerite daisies are deer resistant.
Marguerite Daisy Flower Uses
Whether you plant marguerites in full sun as mass plantings flower beds, along borders, or in large containers, they look ethereal and summery.
Marguerite daisy also makes great cut flowers and adds brightness to a summer bouquet.
Since the flowers attract butterflies and bees, the flowers are also used in pollinator gardens.
Space them closely and use them as ground cover.