Baileya

( BAY - lee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

These annual or perennial daisy-like flowers need full sun and moderate water to perform well in the garden. Species in the genus Baileya are native to the deserts of the Western United States, and have golden-yellow flowers held above greyish-green foliage. Blooms mostly appear in spring through fall, though they can bloom year round in milder climates. These flowers will self-sow, so they are best in informal, desert, pollinator, or cottage garden landscapes. Grow Baileya en masse, in containers, or in mixed beds or rock gardens. Take care when planting these flowers in the landscape, as plant parts are toxic to livestock if ingested.

baileya species and varietals

The genus Baileya is a member of the plant family Asteraceae, and includes just three species. The genus is named for the microscopist and West Point professor Jacob Whitman Bailey. Baileya flowers grow well in USDA hardiness zones 7-11. ​To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Baileya multiradiata (Desert Marigold, Paper Daisy, Hierba Amarilla)
​This species is considered a wildflower, and is native to the deserts of northern Mexico and southwestern United States. These plants form a sliver-grey clump of leaves that reaches about 20 inches tall. Flowers are yellow and bloom spring through fall. Although these flowers are called Desert Marigold, they are only remotely related to true Marigolds (Tagetes).

Baileya pauciradiata (Laxflower, Colorado Desert Marigold)
This species of Baileya is native to northwestern Mexico and southwestern United States' desert regions. Foliage and stems are grey-green and downy, and the plant reaches between 4 and 20 inches tall at maturity. Flowers are yellow, and bloom in multiple inflorescences. This species' flowers have fewer petals than the other two in the genus (hence the species epithet pauci-radiata).

Baileya pleniradiata (Wooly Desert Marigold, Woolly Marigold)
This sand-loving species is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Flowers are daisy-shaped and bright yellow, and foliage and stems are wooly and almost white with grey-green undertones. Individual plants in this species reach up to 6-18 inches tall when mature and in bloom.

Caring for Baileya

Plant Baileya in a place in the landscape that receives full sun; between 6 and 8 hours of direct sun each day is ideal for the best blooms. Space plants about 1.5 feet apart for best coverage and airflow. Ensure that soil is well-draining and has a pH of between 7.0 and 9.0 (neutral to alkaline). If local soils do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of plants, ensuring that mulch stays at least a few inches away from the stems. This will increase soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth, and maintain a constant soil temperature. Water new plantings regularly as they develop a strong root system. Mature plants are considered drought tolerant, and will need supplemental waterings only during periods of drought; watering once to twice a week is typically sufficient.

Prune these plants after they are done blooming in the middle of summer. Shear or cut plants back by about half to trigger new growth and flowering to begin. These plants do not need any fertilizing. They are generally hardy plants, but will take damage and may die in very cold climates. Baileya plants are typically annuals, biennials, or short-lived perennials, surviving for just a few years in the garden before needing to be replaced. Thankfully, they will freely re-seed in ideal conditions, providing new plants in the landscape indefinitely.

Propagation

Baileya plants are most commonly propagated via harvesting and sowing seed. To propagate your Baileya flower, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Baileya by Seed
  1. Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
  2. Harvest seeds. The seed heads on Baileya plants are left behind after flowers have faded. Cut them off of the plant, and remove the seeds from the seed head. These seeds can remain viable for several years in storage if kept in a cool, dark, dry area, but are best when used fresh. They can typically be stored for 1-5 years.
  3. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
  4. Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Baileya seed heads contain multiple seeds.
Baileya seeds are light tan to greyish in color, and are linear.

Problems and Pests

Baileya plants are typically pest and disease free. However, they can occasionally suffer from issues with the following from time to time:
  • Root Rot
  • Desert Marigold Moth
​For more information on these pests and diseases, including how to treat and prevent them, consult the following pages:
​

Gallery

These simple yellow-flowering plants do well in drier climates, such as deserts.
Here, Baileya is planted amongst other low-growing plants and decorative rocks.
These plants will reseed freely, and can form colonies.
Baileya is at home in rock gardens alongside other pollinator-friendly plants.
Here, a field of Baileya welcomes visitors to a property, planted underneath Parkinsonia trees.
Pollinators love the bright yellow flowers.

Videos

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Resources

How to Grow and Care for Desert Marigolds
Growing Desert Marigold Plants
Wikipedia: Baileya
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 182, Baileya multiradiata (Desert Marigold)