How to Grow and Care for Shasta Daisy Flowers

Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum) is a short-lived perennial flower in the aster family known for its blooms. Its cheerful, white-petaled flowers have rich yellow centers and stand out against the plant's long, dark green leaves. Shasta daisy is relatively drought tolerant and deer resistant and works well in ornamental beds, containers, borders, and cutting gardens.

Shasta daisy is a hybrid of European species that was developed in California in the 1890s by botanist Luther Burbank. The plant is toxic to dogs and cats.

Shasta Daisy Care

• Plant in a place with full to partial sun.
• Grow in a spot with well-drained soil.
• Water to keep the soil evenly moist.
• Fertilize once per year in spring.

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Light

Shasta daisy requires bright, full-sun conditions to provide the most blooms, but plants can adapt to partial sun. Shasta daisies grown in hot, sunny climates may benefit from some afternoon shade.

Soil

The main soil requirement for Shasta daisy is that it be very well drained. Otherwise, the plants can grow well in a variety of soil conditions, but they'll grow best with soil rich in organic matter. Avoid planting in areas with soggy soils.

Water

Water Shasta daisy regularly to ensure that the soil remains evenly moist but not soggy—just be careful not to overwater. When in doubt, err on the side of underwatering, as these plants can tolerate short periods of drought.

Temperature and Humidity

Hardy in growing zones 5-9, Shasta daisy tolerates a range of temperature conditions. They may struggle in very moist, humid climates.

Fertilizer

Feed Shasta daisies with an application of balanced, slow-release fertilizer when you see new plant growth in late winter or early spring. If desired, you can top dress plantings with organic compost instead of adding fertilizer.

Shasta Daisies Varieties

• ‘Becky’: A large variety that can reach up to 4 feet tall, 'Becky' is sturdy enough to not need staking and is also resistant to phytophthora, a plant disease.
• ‘Snow Lady’: This dwarf cultivar reaches just 9 to 12 inches tall at maturity, with abundant blooms. However, 'Snow Lady' shows poor resistance to leaf spot, another plant ailment.
• ‘Crazy Daisy’: A double-bloom variety with twisty, frilly petals that grows up to 30 inches tall.

Pruning

Shasta daisy doesn't require regular pruning. However, deadheading spent flowers can encourage a longer bloom period.

After flowering has concluded for the season, cutting back stems to just above the leaves at the base of the plant may help this short-lived perennial live longer.

Propagating Shasta Daisies

Shasta daisies are easy to propagate by dividing mature plants. Division creates new plants and helps reinvigorate plant growth. Plan to divide Shasta daisy every other year in late fall or early spring while plants are dormant. Here's how to propagate this plant:

1. Carefully loosen the soil around the plant with a shovel, digging down around it until you can lift the root ball and remove the plant
2. Use large pruners, a knife, or a sharp shovel blade to cut through the plant's root system vertically, ensuring that all divisions have both roots and foliage.
3. Plant the divisions back in the ground, amending the soil with organic compost in the process. You can also plant divisions in an appropriately sized container using fresh potting mix with excellent drainage.

How to Grow Shasta Daisies From Seed

It's possible to grow Shasta daisy from seed, with a couple of important considerations. Because it's a hybrid, plants from seed may revert back to one of the parent species, such as the oxeye daisy, which is considered invasive throughout areas of the Southwest.

You'll also have to wait until the second year for plants grown from seed to bloom. Here's how to grow Shasta daisy from seed by planting outdoors:

1. Plan to sow seeds in early fall in a spot with rich, well-drained soil. Prepare the planting bed by loosening the top layer of soil with a rake. Check the seed packet for information on spacing and germination time.
2. Moisten the soil with water. Gently press seeds into the soil surface. Cover them with a thin layer of soil no more than an eighth of an inch deep.
3. Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Once plants germinate, thin them to the proper spacing, prioritizing the largest seedlings.
4. Water Shasta daisy seedlings regularly until plants are established.

Depending on your climate, you may prefer to start Shasta daisy seeds indoors. Plan to sow 8 weeks before your region's last frost date. Here's how:

1. Fill small plant pots or seed flats with seed starting mix or another loose, rich growing medium.
2. Moisten the soil lightly. Press seeds into the soil surface, covering them with a thin layer of potting mix no more than an eighth of an inch thick.
3. Put the plantings in a warm, sunny spot and water regularly to keep the growing medium moist.
4. Thin seedlings after germination, keeping the strongest specimens.
5. After the last frost date has passed, begin hardening off seedlings to acclimate them to outdoor conditions.
6. When seedlings are between 2 to 4 inches tall, with at least two true leaves, they can be planted outdoors and cared for as usual.

Potting and Repotting Shasta Daisy

Shasta daisies can grow well in containers—just choose a pot that can accommodate your cultivar's mature size.

Use a pot with several drainage holes and rich, well-drained potting mix to avoid root rot. Rather than potting up the plant when it begins to outgrow the container, divide it instead.

Overwintering

Gardeners in Shasta daisy's warmer hardiness zones don't need to provide the plant with any specialized care in winter.

In fact, the foliage will stay green all year round. In colder regions, Shasta daisy can benefit from mulching with leaves, straw, or another organic material around the base of the plant in fall to insulate its roots during the cold months.

Common Problems With Shasta Daisy

These low-maintenance perennials are drought tolerant and even deer tolerant, but some cultivars may be prone to plant diseases including wilt and root rot.

Wilt

Shasta daisy can fall prey to verticillium wilt, a soil-borne fungus that can affect a variety of shrubs and trees.

Older leaves will turn yellow, wilt, and eventually drop off. The disease may not appear until after flowering or periods of stress such as drought and can eventually kill the plant. Check the severity of the infection by cutting through the stem near the soil surface. Brown streaks inside mean the plant is diseased.

Remove, bag, and trash affected plants, taking care not to put infected plant parts in the compost. Clean tools thoroughly with rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide afterward to avoid spreading the fungus.

Root Rot

Another soil-borne pathogen, root rot is caused by overly wet, soggy soils. Plant growth may be stunted, and the crown or stems of the plant may become soft and discolored.

Avoid root rot by planting Shasta daisy in raised beds, containers, or areas with well-drained soil and watering when the soil surface has just begun to dry out.

From: thespruce