Ox-eye daisy
Leucanthemum vulgare · Asteraceae
📷 Victor M. Vicente Selvas · Public domain
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant ox-eye daisy: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Leucanthemum vulgare
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Type
- Perennial herbaceous plant
- Adult height
- 60 to 80 cm
- Flowering
- May to July
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -15°C)
- Origin
- Central and Western Europe
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
A hardy daisy, vigorous in well-drained and poor soils. Contrary to popular belief, too much fertilizer can actually weaken blooming.
The common mistake
People over-fertilize or over-propagate it: you get massive foliage and tiny flowers.
The pro's trick
Deadhead regularly until August to keep the flowers coming.
Care
Exposure
The ox-eye daisy thrives in full sun, with a minimum of 6 hours of direct light daily. It tolerates partial shade but flowers less abundantly. Choose a well-ventilated location to promote vigorous growth.
Watering
This undemanding perennial prefers moist but well-drained soil without excess moisture. Water moderately during the growing season, then reduce watering after flowering. In an established soil, natural rainfall is usually sufficient, except during prolonged drought.
Soil
Well-draining, slightly poor to average soil is ideal for this hardy plant. It adapts to many soil types, including chalky soils. Avoid waterlogged soils at all costs.
Pruning and cleanup
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to extend the blooming period. Cut back the clump to 10-15 cm from the ground in autumn or late winter. This pruning promotes a compact habit and better branching for the following year.
Fertilizer
The ox-eye daisy requires little fertilizer. A moderate application of compost in spring is plenty. Avoid excess nitrogen, which would encourage foliage at the expense of flowering.
Health and pests
Very robust, it rarely suffers from diseases. In humid and stagnant conditions, powdery mildew can occasionally affect it. Ensure good air circulation and remove affected parts. Pests are exceptional on this species.
Did you know?
The wild ox-eye daisy was long considered a weed in European pastures before horticulturists selected remarkable cultivars. Its white flowers with bright yellow centers became a symbol of bucolic summer, immortalized in fields of daisies in the romantic poetry of the 19th century.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.