How to Grow and Care for Oxeye Daisy

Oxeye daisy is a European perennial wildflower with flower heads similar to the Shasta daisybut smaller. The flattened yellow center disk resembles the eye of an ox, giving the plant its name. The foliage is finely textured, toothed, and deeply cut, with longer leaves situated at the plant's base. The erect stems are usually branching and produce two or more flower heads. The showy flowers make long-lasting cut flowers.

Oxeye daisy spreads vigorously via seeds and rhizomes, making it an invasive plant in parts of North America where it has escaped cultivation. If you decide to plant it, be ready to contain its growth by planting it in containers and removing the flowers before they turn into seeds and spread.

Oxeye daisy is toxic to humans and pets.

Oxeye Daisy Care

Oxeye daisy is a low-maintenance plant. The biggest challenge in growing it is to contain its unwanted spread. Here are the main care requirements for growing oxeye daisy:

• Plant it in full sun and well-drained soil.
• Established plants need no watering; oxeye daisy is drought-resistant.
• Do not apply fertilizer.
• Remove the spent flowers promptly to prevent seed formation.

Warning

Oxeye daisy is an invasive species that forms dense monocultures in meadows, pastures, woodlands, and riparian areas, choking out native vegetation. One plant produces up to 26,000 seeds, which remain viable in the soil for at least for two to three years, often much longer. The plant is listed as invasive in several states in the Pacific Northwest, Midwest, Southwest, and eastern United States.

Light

Establish in a sunny spot, preferably full sun. Oxeye daisy also grows in part sun or afternoon shade, especially in hot, humid climates.

Soil

The plant does not have any particular soil requirements other than good drainage. It grows in average and also dry, sandy soil.

Water

Give young plants one to two inches of water per week. Once established, oxeye daisy is drought-tolerant.

Temperature and Humidity

Oxeye daisy adapts to a wide temperature and humidity spectrum, from hot, humid summers to winter temperatures as low as 28 degrees F.

Fertilizer

Like many wildflowers, oxeye daisy does not need fertilizer. Adding nitrogen to the soil can even backfire. Nitrogen fertilizer is used instead of herbicides to reduce dense stands of oxeye daisy in pastures where is has become invasive. The extra nitrogen encourages the growth of nativeandintroducedperennialgrasses that outcompete oxeye daisy.

Pruning

To encourage more blooms, deadhead the flowers regularly.

To prevent the oxeye daisy from becoming invasive, remove flowers before they produce seeds.

Propagating Oxeye Daisy

Actively propagating oxeye daisy is often not necessary, as the plants spread aggressively by rhizomes and self-seed. In addition to growing oxeye daisy from seed, dividing the clumps every two to three years is another propagation method that also keeps the plant vigorous.

1. In the spring, soon after the plant has broken its dormancy, dig up the entire clump with a shovel.
2. Separate the clump into smaller sections and replant them at the same depth as the original plant.
3. Keep the newly planted oxeye daisy well-watered for the first few weeks until it is established.

How to Grow Oxeye Daisy From Seed

Direct sow the seeds in the spring after all danger of frost is past. In warmer climates, fall seeding is also possible. Plant the seeds ¼ inch deep. Keep the soil evenly moist during the entire germination time and until the seedlings are at least 4 inches tall. Thin seedlings to 6 to 8 inches apart.

Overwintering

Oxeye daisy is a hardy plant that does not need any winter protection.

Potting and Repotting Oxeye Daisy

Oxeye daisy is a good candidate for container growing; it is even strongly recommended to tame its invasive tendencies (you still need to deadhead potted plants to prevent reseeding). Plant it in a large, heavy pot to prevent it from toppling over. Make sure the pot has large drainage holes. Fill the pot with well-draining potting mix.

Although oxeye daisy is drought-tolerant in the landscape, potted plants need frequent watering. Potted oxeye daisies aren’t as winter-hardy either because their roots are exposed to the cold; the pots need to be winterized. Bury the pot in the ground over the winter or place it in a larger pot filled with insulation (mulch, sand) to protect the roots.

Repot the plant into a new container one size larger and filled with fresh potting mix when its roots have outgrown the pot.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Keep an eye out for the occasional aphids, mites, and leaf miners. Oxeye daisies are also susceptible to verticillium wilt, leaf spots, and stem rots. Overall, though, they are very hardy and disease-resistant and also resistant to deer and rabbits.

How to Get Oxeye Daisy to Bloom

Bloom Months

Oxeye daisy blooms from May or June to August or September.

How Long Does Oxeye Daisy Bloom?

The bloom lasts for several months. The flowers last for up to two weeks in a vase.

What Do Oxeye Daisy Flowers Look and Smell Like?

Each flower. measuring 1 to 3 inches in diameter, has seven to 20 petals. The centers are yellow. The fragrance is mild and sage-like.

How to Encourage More Blooms

Deadheading the flower encourages a longer bloom time.

Caring for Oxeye Daisy After It Blooms

Removing the spent flowers before they turn into seeds is crucial to keep the spread under control.

• How invasive is oxeye daisy?

  The invasiveness of the plant depends on what is growing in a location. Recently disturbed fields and meadows or wastelands with little or no strong native vegetation are easily taken over by the aggressively spreading oxeye daisy. Established and intact habitats, on the other hand, are not as prone to being overrun by it.

• How to you remove oxeye daisy?

  Since oxeye daisies have a shallow root system, they are easy to pull out completely. Be sure to pull plants out by their roots. Mow any unwanted seedlings before they get too big. Then spread mulch on the ground, which will prevent the seeds from sprouting.

• Is oxeye daisy the same as chamomile?

  They are two different plants. Chamomile looks somewhat similar to oxeye daisy but its flowers are smaller. Both Roman and German chamomile have the distinct chamomile scent.

From: thespruce