The oxeye daisy, also known as Marguerite or by its botanical name Leucanthemum vulgare, is a versatile perennial herb belonging to the Asteraceae family. Native to Europe, the Russian Far East, and the Caucasus, this plant has earned its place as a popular ornamental due to its charming white petals and sunny yellow centers.
Leucanthemum vulgare is incredibly adaptable, thriving in various conditions and landscapes. While prized for its beauty, the plant often establishes itself as a common weed in lawns and crops. In some regions, its resilience and rapid spread have led to its classification as an invasive species.
Widely recognized for its life cycle as a perennial, the oxeye daisy showcases both its ornamental value and its ability to naturalize quickly in different environments.
| Common name | Marguerite, Ox-eye Daisy, Oxeye Daisy |
| Botanical name | Leucanthemum vulgare |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Species | vulgare |
| Origin | Europe to Russian Far East and Caucasus |
| Life cycle | Perennial |
| Plant type | Herbaceous Perennial |
| Hardiness zone | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Sunlight | Full Sun |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Spacing | 12 in. – 3 ft. |
| Flowering period | Spring |
| Height | 1 ft. – 3 ft. |
| Flower color | Gold, Yellow |
| Leaf color | Green |
| Flower benefit | Good Cut |
| Garden style | Butterfly Garden |
| Uses | Meadow |
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Leucanthemum vulgare, commonly known as the ox-eye daisy, oxeye daisy, dog daisy, marguerite (French: Marguerite commune, “common marguerite”) and other common names, is a widespread flowering plant native to Europe and the temperate regions of Asia, and an introduced plant to North America, Australia and New Zealand.
L. vulgare is a perennial herb that grows to a height of 80 centimetres (31 inches) and has a creeping underground rhizome. The lower parts of the stem are hairy, sometimes densely hairy but more or less glabrous in the lower parts. The largest leaves are at the base of the plant and are 4–15 cm (1+1⁄2–6 in) long, about 5 cm (2 in) wide and have a petiole. These leaves have up to 15 teeth, or lobes or both on the edges. The leaves decrease in size up the stem, the upper leaves up to 7.5 cm (3 in) long, lack a petiole and are deeply toothed.
The plant bears up to three “flowers” like those of a typical daisy. Each is a “head” or capitulum 2–7.5 cm (3⁄4–3 in) wide. Each head has between fifteen and forty white “petals” (ray florets) 1–2 centimetres (3⁄8–3⁄4 in) long surrounding the yellow disc florets. Below the head is an involucre of glabrous green bracts 7–10 millimetres (1⁄4–3⁄8 inch) long with brownish edges. Flowering occurs from May to October. The seed-like achenes are 1–3 mm (1⁄16–1⁄8 in) long and have ten “ribs” along their edges but lack a pappus.
Ox-eye daisy is similar to shasta daisy (Leucanthemum × superbum) which has larger flower heads (5–12 cm or 2–4+3⁄4 in wide) and to stinking chamomile (Anthemis cotula) which has smaller heads (1.5–3 cm or 5⁄8–1+1⁄8 in wide). L. maximum is also similar, usually with rays 2–3 cm (3⁄4–1+1⁄8 in) in length.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Oxeye daisy can grow in full or half sun exposure conditions, but it performs better in full sun exposure. Once the flower bud of potted oxeye daisy appears, it is necessary to ensure it receives sufficient sunlight. It is recommended for the plant to receive 6‒8 hours of sunshine every day. Plants with sufficient sunlight grow thick leaves, strong stems, and large flowers. When the sunlight is insufficient, the leaves will become light and thin, while the stems turn long and skinny, with only a few flowers grown out.
Temperature
Oxeye daisy is heat-resistant and drought-resistant, but not waterlogging tolerant. Furthermore, the plant can grow well in many hot and dry areas where most horticultural plants find it difficult to survive. However, wintering in cooler areas requires proper protection, such as moving flowerpots into garages or warehouses.
Watering
Native to temperate regions, oxeye daisy thrives in environments that mimic its natural habitat with moderate moisture. This species exhibits a preference for consistent soil moisture without being waterlogged, showing resilience to occasional dry spells. Watering every week maintains its hydration balance, supporting healthy growth. As an outdoor plant often found in meadows and fields, oxeye daisy benefits from the seasonal rainfall patterns which contribute to its lush flowering during the growing season.
Soil
Oxeye daisy can grow in sand, loam, clay and even calcareous soil. This plant prefers wet and loose soil with good drainage, and can also withstand a certain degree of drought. Also, it is highly adaptable to a wide range of soil pH levels and generally does not need to adjust the soil pH level. It is recommended to select the soil that is rich in humus, loose, fertile, and well-drained along with using decomposed fertilizer as the base fertilizer.
Before planting in the garden, it is suggested to carry out deep tillage and expose the soil to the sun, which can reduce diseases and pests caused by the soil. Remove any weeds and add basal fertilizer when tilling the soil. The ratio of basal fertilizer and soil can be 1:2 or 1:1. As a potted plant, it is recommended to choose clay or plastic pot with a glaze layer, featured with a depth of at least 30 cm. Finally, use ordinary potting soil.
Fertilizing
For healthy blooming, oxeye daisy thrives with balanced nutrition fertilizer applied monthly during the growing season. Use a high-phosphorous blend before flowering to boost vigor. Administer following the manufacturer’s dosage; over-fertilization can harm oxeye daisy. Fertilizer needs lessen in dormant periods. Always water oxeye daisy after fertilizing to aid absorption and prevent root burn. Tailor amounts to the plant’s size and observe responses, adjusting as necessary for optimal growth.
Pruning
Oxeye daisy generally doesn’t need any pruning. To help the branches flourish, remove the apical buds (pinch back) after the plants grow up to 15 cm tall in spring. After having most of the flowers in the cluster withered, cut off the whole stalk in time to reduce nutrient consumption and extend the flowering period of other flowers in the same plant. At the end of the flowering stage, the stem should be pruned for about 8 to 10 cm tall with only the leaves at the bottom part preserved.
In order to prevent the plant from lodging, it is necessary to cut the plant a little shorter if the phenomenon of overgrown branches and leaves occurs during the growing season (for example, the stem becomes thinner and longer than normal, the leaves become thinner, etc.).
Because of its small seeds, oxeye daisy can spread its seeds easily and produce more new plants through the wind. Therefore, if you don’t wish to have it widely distributed, it is important to cut the flowers when they wither, preventing them from dropping seeds.
Propagation
Oxeye daisy can propagate through seeds or by divisions. If the seeds are used for propagation, they will not bloom until one year after sowing. The most common method of propagation is division propagation. The varieties that bloom in spring and summer are suitable for plant division during autumn, while the varieties that bloom in autumn are suitable for plant division during spring. This is because flowering will consume a lot of nutrients of plants, so they need to recover for some time after flowering, and then you can divide the plants.
Moreover, dividing plants during non-flowering period can also promote plants to use nutrients for the germination of new roots after the division. After the flowering period, when the leaves begin to wither and the plants show signs of dormancy, this means it is a good time to divide the plants.
It is suggested to select a cool and cloudy day for dividing oxeye daisy. Before that, cut the plant to a height of about 15 cm tall, which could reduce the water loss caused by transpiration afterward. At a distance of 15 cm from the base of the plant, carefully dig out the root mass of the plant (about 15 cm deep).
It can be divided according to the size of the plant and the growth of the root system. It is suggested that each small plant cluster should have 3‒4 rhizomes and enough strong roots. Please discard the lignified part in the center of the aged plant. Under the condition of proper planting and maintenance, flowers will sprout out in the next flowering period.
Repotting
Repot oxeye daisy every 2-3 years in early spring to accommodate its moderate growth. It’s neither a climber nor ground cover but forms a lush bush up to 2 feet tall. Choose a container slightly larger than the current one with good drainage. After repotting, water thoroughly and place in a sunny spot with regular watering to encourage strong roots. Oxeye daisy isn’t fussy but appreciates attention during this period for best blooming results.
Pests and 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 resistant to the challenges of many other common diseases as well as deer and rabbits.
III. Uses and Benefits
- Ornamental uses
Oxeye daisy is a low-maintenance plant with dainty white blooms that appear during the summer. This plant attracts a variety of pollinators, so it is a perfect addition to a wildflower or butterfly garden. Spreading via rhizomes, this plant can overtake a space so plan accordingly when incorporating into a garden space.
- Culinary uses
Food
The unopened flower buds can be marinated and used in a similar way to capers.
Maud Grieve’s Modern Herbal (1931) states that “The taste of the dried herb is bitter and tingling, and the odour faintly resembles that of valerian.”
Tea
Oxeye grows wild in the Arava Desert in Southern Israel, where the flowers are picked and dried and traditionally used by Jewish Israelis to make a local variety of herbal tea.
IV. Harvesting and Storage
When oxeye daisy enters the flowering stage, cut the whole branch starting from the stem base of the plant as fresh cut flowers. Doing so will also encourage plants to produce more flowers. When the flower bud is half-open, it is ready to be cut to serve as fresh cut flowers. It is suggested that the length of the flower stem should be more than 40 cm. Generally, its vase life is about 10 days. Usually, the longer and stronger the stem with inflorescence, the longer the vase life.
Find Where to Buy the Best Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)
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