Rhodanthemum

( roh - DAN - the - mum )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly called Moroccan Daisy, this genus includes perennial flowering plants which need full sun and little to moderate water to perform well in the garden. They are native to the Atlas Mountains and form a subshrub 4-12 inches tall and 1-2 feet wide at maturity. Foliage is finely divided and silver-green and flowers are white with orange-red centers. They bloom over much of the year. The genus Rhodanthemum is a member of the plant family Asteraceae and includes between 10 and 15 species, one of which (Rhodanthemum hosmariense) is commonly grown as a garden ornamental. These plants are closely related to those in Chrysanthemum, Leucanthemum (Oxeye Daisy), and Pyrethrum. Moroccan Daisy grows best in USDA hardiness zones 8-10 or Sunset growing zones 14-24; To find your zone, click here: Zone Map. Take care when 

Caring for Rhodanthemum

Rhodanthemum plants can be grown either from seed direct sown in the garden (or started indoors) or purchased as nursery specimens. They will reseed freely, spreading over time, and should be planted in a space in the garden where this tendency will not be an issue. Moroccan Daisies should be planted in a spot in the garden that receives full sun; ideally, they should receive between 6 and 8 hours of direct sun each day for best flowering. They like soil that is sandy and well-draining, with a moderate amount of fertility and a pH of between 5.0 and 5.7.  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 and sand before installing flowers. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain soil temperatures, and increase soil moisture retention.

Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system. Mature plants are considered to be quite drought tolerant, though they do benefit from occasional waterings in summertime in areas with low rainfall. Each year in springtime, apply a 2-inch layer of organic compost around the planting area to improve soil structure, drainage, and nutrient load. This feeding should be sufficient to provide these flowers with enough nutrients to get through their growth and flowering seasons with ease. Pruning is not necessary, but if any foliage is becoming unsightly, it can be removed at any time during the growing season. Spent flowers can be removed to neaten up the look of plants and encourage more blooms to pop. If propagating these plants via seed, the flowering stalks will need to remain and seed heads will eventually mature, providing seeds for the next generation of plants. If grown in cramped spaces or in containers, these plants will need to be divided every few years to maintain good root health. For instructions on how to successfully divide Moroccan Daisies, see the Propagation section below.

Propagation

Rhodanthemum, or Moroccan Daisy, can be propagated by division, cutting or seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division or cutting method. 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, especially if you are propagating a hybrid cultivar. To propagate your Moroccan Daisy, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Rhodanthemum 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 your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're 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 continue 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.
  3. Get your container prepared. 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 2-6 weeks 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 65 and 72 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.

Propagating Rhodanthemum by Cutting
  1. 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.
  2. In 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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 plant.

Propagating Rhodanthemum by Division
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 very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
  1. Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
  2. 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 attached.
  3. 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.
  4. 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 in the next growing season.

Problems and Pests

Rhodanthemum plants are rarely bothered by pests or diseases, though they can be susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the landscape from time to time:
  • Aphids
  • Spider Mites
  • Whiteflies
  • Thrips
  • Lace Bugs
  • Powdery Mildew
  • Leaf Spot
  • Botrytis
For more information on these pests and diseases, including how to treat and prevent them, consult the following pages:

Gallery

Rhodanthemum flowers are commonly included in low-water use beds, here pictured alongside succulents and cacti.
Rhodanthemum is sometimes sold at nurseries, but it can also be grown from seed.
These plants have a low-growing habit, and are able to fill in bare spaces in beds and borders nicely.
Moroccan Daisy hides bare stems of taller plants very well.
Rhodanthemum flowers are daisy-form and bright white.
Foliage is grey-green and deeply divided.

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Resources

Rhodanthemum - Growing Guide
Wikipedia: Rhodanthemum
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 556, Rhodanthemum hosmariense