Leucanthemum

( lew - KAN - the - mum )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of perennial and annual flowering herbaceous plants, commonly called Ox-Eye Daisy or Shasta Daisy, includes species which need full sun and moderate water to perform well in the garden. Profuse flat, daisy-form flowers will attract butterflies and other pollinators to the garden. Use these plants to fill in perennial or annual borders, to add structure to cottage or informal gardens, as groundcover or between rocks, or simply to attract pollinators to the landscape. Take care when planting these flowers, as they are mildly toxic to humans and pets if ingested in large quantities.

Leucanthemum Species and Varietals

The genus Leucanthemum is a member of the plant family Asteraceae and includes 42 species. Plants in this genus are closely related to those in Chrysanthemum, Rhodanthemum, Argyranthemum, Tanacetum, and Anthemis. The best growing zones for Leucanthemum are USDA hardiness zones 5-9. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Leucanthemum heterophyllum (Oxeye Daisy, Field Daisy, White Daisy, Moon Daisy)
This species reaches between 12 and 31 inches tall when mature and in bloom, and forms a basal rosette of foliage. Flowering stems emerge from June to September, topped with white daisy-form flowers. These plants are native to southern Europe, where they naturally are found in grasslands, meadows, and open shrublands. This species is considered invasive in North America, Australia, and New Zealand.

Leucanthemum ircutianum (Oxeye Daisy)
This species, native to Eurasia and North America, these plants form upright perennials that reach between 8 and 31 inches tall when in bloom. Foliage is green and flowers typically bloom between May and October. This species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 3-9. This species is considered invasive in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Leucanthemum maximum (Max Chrysanthemum, Pyrenees Chrysanthemum, Shasta Daisy, Oxeye Daisy)
Native to France and Spain, these flowering plants grow from rhizome and reach up to 28 inches tall when in bloom. Foliage is green and flowers are solitary and white with yellow centers. This species is a parent to the Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum). This species is highly invasive in Alaska.

Leucanthemum paludosum (Chrysanthemum paludosum, Mauranthemum paludosum) (Creeping Daisy, Mini Marguerite, Annual Marguerite, White Buttons, Shasta Daisy, Miniature Shasta Daisy)
This annual is native to the western Mediterranean region and grows well in USDA hardiness zones 3-9 or Sunset growing zones A1-A3 and 1-24. It forms 8-inch wide, 10-inch tall (when in bloom) clumps of dark green leaves. Flowers are white and bloom in summertime.

Leucanthemum x superbum (Chrysanthemum maximum) (Shasta Daisy)
This species is a perennial that grows best in USDA hardiness zones 5-9 or Sunset growing zones A1-A3, 1-24 and H1. It reaches 2-4 feet tall and 2 feet wide, and has coarse, leathery leaves. This hybrid was created by Luther Burbank. Great for borders and as additions to cut flower gardens. Cultivars include 'Old Court' (with spidery double flowers), 'Becky' (to 3 feet tall with good heat resistance), 'Snow Lady' (dwarf to just 12 in. tall), 'Crazy Daisy' (with double blooms on a 30-inch tall plant), 'Spoonful of Sugar' (to 18-24 in. tall with double ruffled flowers), and 'Banana Cream' (with lemon-yellow new flowers that fade to cream-white).

Leucanthemum vulgare (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum) (Ox-Eye Daisy, Common Daisy)
This species is perennial and grows well in USDA hardiness zones 3-9 or Sunset growing zones A2, A3, 1-24 and H1. It is native to Europe and has naturalized in many areas. It spreads via rhizomes and is self-seeding. Reaching a foot wide and twice as tall, these plants have bright green foliage and yellow-centered daisies that bloom from late spring through fall. Variety 'May Queen' (Maikönigin) begins blooming earlier in the springtime than the straight species. This species is considered invasive in North America, New Zealand, and Australia.

Caring for Leucanthemum

Shasta Daisies can be purchased as starts from a reputable nursery or grown from seeds direct-sown into the garden. They require full sun (between 6 and 8 hours each day), but can adapt to partial sun if necessary. If grown in too much shade, these plants will get a bit leggy and not flower as well. They can grow in a wide range of soils, as long as they are well-draining, moderately fertile, and have a pH of between 5.5 and 7.0. Avoid planting them in an area that has soggy soils. If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Water newly planted Shasta Daisies regularly until they have developed a strong root system. At maturity, Leucanthemum plants are appreciative of consistently moist (but not waterlogged) soil. They can tolerate short periods of drought. As a general rule of thumb, water when the top two inches of soil is dry to the touch.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with a application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Pruning Shasta Daisy plants is simple: remove spent blooms and any unsightly foliage. These plants bounce back well from pruning. Late in the season, plants can have a tendency to get leggy, especially if they are grown in too much shade. Plants can be cut down to about six inches tall at this point, and a flush of new growth and flowering will be triggered. Annual plants will last in the garden for a season, and are replaced in the next. They will re-seed freely in ideal growing conditions, providing plants indefinitely. Perennial species typically survive for 3-5 years in the landscape before they drop off in flowering and vigor and need to be replaced. They will naturally form clumps over time that can be divided and will also re-seed freely. For information on how to divide these plants, see the Propagation section below.

Propagation

Leucanthemum can be propagated either by using cuttings, dividing existing plants or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting or division methods. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Shasta Daisy, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Leucanthemum by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings 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.
In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 3-4 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
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, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new plants.

Propagating Leucanthemum by Seed

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.
Harvest your seeds. The seed pods on Leucanthemum plants are pretty easy to spot, they're large and dangle from the branches, left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will begin to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
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.
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.
Annual species propagated by seed can simply be direct-sown in the garden in late winter to early springtime.

Propagating Leucanthemum by Division
Please note that propagation by division can only be done with perennial species. This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost, and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in spring or fall (after the plant has entered dormancy and been cut to the ground, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every four to five years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Gather your materials. Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the roots. Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout.

Leucanthemum flowers fade to reveal packed seed heads.

Leucanthemum seeds.

Problems and Pests

Certain Leucanthemum species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Shasta Daisy can have issues with the following pests and diseases in the landscape: