Matricaria discoidea
Matricaria discoidea · Asteraceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant matricaria discoidea: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous, finely cut
- Flowering
- June to September
- Mature size
- 15 to 40 cm tall
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, tolerates cold
- Origin
- North America
- Soil type
- Well-draining, tolerates poor soils
Care
Watering
Disc mayweed appreciates moderate moisture but dreads excess water. Water regularly during active growth periods, especially if the soil dries out quickly. Reduce watering in winter or if leaf decline occurs.
Light Exposure
Place your plant in full sun or partial shade for optimal flowering. It easily tolerates sunny exposures, which intensify flower production.
Soil and Drainage
Well-draining soil is essential to prevent root rot. Disc mayweed adapts to poor or stony soils. Amend lightly with organic matter if the substrate is very compact.
Pruning and Deadheading
Prune stems regularly after flowering to encourage a compact, branched habit. Remove spent flowers to extend the flowering period. Light cutting back in late winter prepares the plant for vigorous spring growth.
Fertilization
A balanced fertilizer application in spring generally suffices. Avoid excess nitrogen, which favors foliage at the expense of flowering. A plant in fertile soil needs no supplemental feeding.
Diseases and Pests
Disc mayweed is rarely susceptible to diseases when drainage is correct. In overly humid conditions, watch for rot and fungal issues. Regularly aerate the plant to prevent stagnant moisture.
Did you know?
Disc mayweed, also called rayless mayweed, is easily recognized by its small yellow flowers in the shape of a flattened dome, lacking white petals. Native to North American prairies, it has naturalized in Europe where it often colonizes disturbed lands, ditches, and crops, making it almost a beneficial "weed" from an ecological perspective.
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.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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- Canadian goldenrodSolidago canadensis
- WormwoodArtemisia absinthium
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.