Oxeye Daisy
Also known as
Ox-eye Daisy, Dog Daisy, Moon Daisy, Whiteweed, Marguerite
Keep this plant’s care guide close at hand.
Get the appAbout Oxeye Daisy
Leucanthemum vulgare, commonly called oxeye daisy, is a hardy herbaceous perennial in the aster family (Asteraceae). It forms clumps and spreads by short rhizomes and prolific seed. Erect, branching stems reach 12–36 in (30–90 cm). Basal leaves are spoon-shaped and coarsely toothed; upper leaves are narrower and sessile. Flower heads 2–3 in (5–7.5 cm) wide feature bright white rays surrounding a yellow, domed disk and bloom from late spring into summer. It prefers full sun and well-drained, moderately fertile to lean soils, yet tolerates poor, gravelly sites once established. The flowers are excellent for pollinators, attracting bees, hoverflies, and butterflies. In favorable conditions it can naturalize aggressively and is considered invasive in some regions. Deadheading limits self-seeding and prolongs bloom. Cold hardy in USDA zones 3–9, it withstands severe winters and moderate drought. Foliage is somewhat bitter; sap may irritate sensitive skin. Often confused with Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum × superbum), oxeye daisy is generally shorter with smaller, earlier blooms.
Taxonomy
Properties & Requirements
How to care for Oxeye Daisy
Water
Water newly planted oxeye daisies deeply once or twice weekly for the first 4–8 weeks so the top 6–8 inches of soil are moistened. After establishment, provide about 1 inch of water per week during dry spells; the plants are moderately drought-tolerant. Allow the top inch of soil to dry between waterings, especially in containers. Avoid waterlogged conditions and poor drainage, which promote crown rot and leaf diseases. Water early in the day at the soil line to keep foliage dry. A 1–2 inch mulch helps conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature.
Light
Provide full sun for maximum flowering—at least 6–8 hours of direct light daily. In cool or northern climates, all-day sun yields compact plants and abundant blooms. In hot-summer regions, light afternoon shade can reduce heat stress and extend bloom, but too much shade results in fewer flowers and floppier stems. Avoid deep shade under dense trees. Indoor overwintering is uncommon, but if attempted, use the brightest south or west window and supplement with grow lights to achieve strong growth and prevent stretching.
Nutrients
Oxeye daisy is adapted to lean soils and needs minimal feeding. At planting, incorporate 1–2 inches of compost and top-dress with compost each spring. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers that cause floppy, lush growth and fewer flowers. On very poor soils, apply a balanced slow‑release fertilizer (e.g., 5‑5‑5 or 10‑10‑10) at half label rate once in early spring. Container plants benefit from a diluted bloom‑oriented liquid feed every 4–6 weeks during active growth. Do not fertilize in late summer or fall to prevent tender growth before winter.
Temperature
Hardy in USDA zones 3–9, oxeye daisy tolerates winter lows near -40°F (-40°C) and typical summer highs into the 80s–90s°F (27–35°C). Best flowering occurs in cool to mild weather around 60–75°F (16–24°C). Prolonged extreme heat and humidity can shorten the bloom period and lead to legginess; provide afternoon shade and steady moisture in hot climates. In snowless cold regions, a light winter mulch helps prevent frost heave. Container specimens may need shelter to protect roots from repeated freeze–thaw cycles.
