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From classic white Shasta daisies to fragrant chocolate daisies, these 12 garden daisies cover cool- and warm-climate options, containers, dry sites, cut-flower beds and pollinator plantings. Match a plant’s hardiness zone, mature size, light and drainage needs to your garden before choosing seeds or transplants.
Quick comparison of 12 garden daisies
| Type | Hardiness zones | Mature size | Light | Soil and moisture |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shasta (Leucanthemum × superbum) | 4–9 | 2–3 ft tall × 1–2 ft wide | Full sun | Well-drained; moist conditions support growth |
| Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) | 8–10 | 6–18 in tall × 8–16 in wide | Full sun | Excellent drainage |
| Nippon (Nipponanthemum nipponicum) | 5–9 | 1–3 ft tall × 1–3 ft wide | Full sun | Well-drained |
| Dahlberg (Thymophylla tenuiloba) | 5–10 | About 8 in tall × 10–12 in wide | Full sun; some summer shade in extreme heat | Poor but well-drained; drought tolerant |
| Gloriosa or black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) | 3–9 | 1–3 ft tall × 1–2 ft wide | Full sun | Moist, well-drained; drought tolerant once established |
| English (Bellis perennis) | 4–9 | About 6 in tall × 8–10 in wide | Full sun to part shade | Compost-amended, well-drained |
| Painted (Tanacetum coccineum) | 3–7 | 1–3 ft tall × 1–2 ft wide | Full sun to part shade | Rich, loamy, well-drained |
| Michaelmas (Symphyotrichum spp.) | 4–9 | 1–2 ft tall × 1–2 ft wide | Full sun | Well-drained; tolerates dry, sunny conditions |
| Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) | 2–10 | 1–2 ft tall × 1–2 ft wide | Full sun | Well-drained |
| Chocolate (Berlandiera lyrata) | 4–10 | 1–2 ft tall × 1–2 ft wide | Full sun | Well-drained clay soil |
| Marguerite (Argyranthemum frutescens) | 8–11 | About 2 ft tall × 2 ft wide | Full sun to part shade | Potting soil and compost; prefers cooler weather |
| Coneflower (Echinacea) | 3–9 | 3–4 ft tall × 1–2 ft wide | Full sun to part shade | Moist, well-drained; tolerates drought, heat and humidity |
Zone ranges and mature dimensions in this comparison come from Martha Stewart’s gardening feature, updated August 22, 2026. Conditions and maintenance notes are supplemented by University of Illinois Extension and UF/IFAS guidance where noted below.
The 12 daisies, one by one
1. Shasta daisy
Shasta daisy is the classic border plant: pure white rays around a bright yellow center. It is a dependable perennial choice for a traditional bed, mixed border or cutting garden. University of Illinois Extension lists flowering from June through September and recommends moist, well-drained soil. Remove spent flowers during the season to extend blooming. Shastas are commonly sold as transplants rather than started only from seed.
2. Gerbera daisy
Gerberas supply saturated red, white, orange, pink and yellow flowers and are especially useful as potted specimens or warm-season displays. UF/IFAS notes that they can be propagated from seed and are also sold as potted plants. Give each plant 12–18 inches of room, use exceptionally free-draining soil and avoid wet foliage. Powdery mildew can develop on leaves; wider spacing and removal of infected foliage improve air movement.
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- Classic Perennial Blooms: Shasta daisy seeds perennial produce timeless white daisy flowers with yellow centers, daises grow 24–36 inches tall. Ideal daisy seeds for planting outdoors in zones 4–9.
- Landscape Ready Growth: Daisy wildflower seeds form upright shrubby clumps with 18–24 inch spacing, perfect garden seeds for borders, containers, and flower beds using daisy seeds bulk. Perennial wildflower seeds are proven performers in a wide variety of gardens across North America.
- Reliable Germination: White daisy seeds germinate in 14–21 days when plant seeds started indoors 6–10 weeks before last frost. Alaska flower seeds to plant outside grow some of summer's most recognizable blooms in flower garden and are a floral shop favorite.
- Pollinator Friendly: Shasta daisies attract bees and butterflies while resisting deer and rabbits. These white daisies thrive in full sun to light shade with well-drained soil and moderate watering.
- Cut Flower Favorite: These cut flower seeds bulk produce 3–4 inch blooms prized for bouquets and arrangements. Long daisy flower stems and clean white petals make these daisies flowers ideal for home and floral use.
3. Nippon daisy
Nippon daisy resembles Shasta but extends the daisy season into late autumn, often flowering in October or November. Its overwintered stems may produce new leaves in spring, either on surviving growth or from the plant’s base. It suits a sunny, well-drained border where late flowers are valuable.
4. Dahlberg daisy
Dahlberg daisy is a compact ground cover with finely divided, lacy foliage and yellow flowers. It is a strong fit for hot, arid locations, lean soil and drought-prone edging. In regions with extreme summer heat, a little afternoon shade can reduce stress without abandoning its preference for bright conditions.
5. Gloriosa daisy (black-eyed Susan)
Gloriosa daisy, widely called black-eyed Susan, combines yellow rays with a dark central cone and is native to the eastern and Midwestern United States. It is valued by pollinators and handles drought and hot, dry summers well. Parker Garlitz of True Leaf Market describes that drought tolerance as a defining strength, making this a practical choice for lower-water plantings.
Rank #2
- High Germination Performance: Chrysanthemums seeds show reliable sprouting within 14–20 days. These garden seeds flowers thrive across USDA zones 1–12, ideal for gardens and flower beds outdoors.
- Striking Tri-Color Blooms: Painted daisy wildflower seeds bulk produce vivid white, red, yellow, and purple ringed flowers. These wild flowers seeds mix create eye-catching summer displays in home garden beds and borders.
- Compact Bushy Growth: Daisy seeds bulk grow into sturdy, well-branched plants. These chrysanthemum seeds for planting suit containers, raised beds, and outdoor planting with recommended spacing of 6–12 inches.
- Extended Bloom Season: Chrysanthemum plant blooms from early summer through early fall when deadheaded regularly. These daisies seeds deliver continuous color and are excellent cut flower seeds bulk for fresh bouquets.
- Easy Care Annual Flower: Daisy seeds for planting outdoors prefer full sun to part sun and well-drained soil. These hardy chrysanthemum seeds require surface sowing and light moisture for successful establishment.
6. English daisy
English daisy stays close to the ground, with small pink or white flowers that work in compact gardens and partly shaded edges. Prepare the planting area with compost while maintaining drainage. Its restrained scale makes it useful where taller daisies would overwhelm paths or small containers.
7. Painted daisy
Painted daisy produces pink, white or magenta flowers and supports pollinators. It performs best in rich, loamy soil that drains freely. Cut the plants back after flowering; this post-bloom trim helps maintain vigor for the next growth cycle.
8. Michaelmas daisy
Michaelmas daisies are North American native asters with a useful tolerance for dry, sunny sites. They can spread by seed, so they are well suited to meadow-style planting or other areas where natural expansion is welcome. Give them room rather than placing them in a tightly controlled, formal bed.
Rank #3
- Beautiful - Large premium packet of Shasta Daisy (Chrysanthemum maximum) seeds. Easy-to-grow perennial flower with pure white petals and golden centers, which blooms its second year. Popular as a cut flower. Produces continual blooms all summer long and attracts beneficial insects to your garden. Plant wildflower style or in arranged beds. Minimum of 500 mg per packet (about 600 seeds).
- Productive - Shasta Daisy germinates in 15-21 days when soil temps are 70°F. Plant 1/8” deep and space 12-18” apart in an area with full sunlight. This variety will grow 2-4’ tall with a spread of 1-2’. Flowers will mature in 150-300 days, plant in USDA zones 3-13.
- Pollinator Friendly - Enhance outdoor spaces while also inviting pollinators, creating a lively environment full of life and color. Shasta Daisies are a favorite with bees and butterflies. Great way to support your local pollinators!
- Easy to Grow - Instructions included on each packet. Plus, we are available to answer all your questions. If these seeds don’t germinate, we will happily make it right for you.
- Safe and Sustainable - Our operation is fully solar powered, and Sow Right Seeds has taken the Safe Seed Pledge to sell only fresh Non-GMO heirloom seeds for you and your family.
9. Prairie fleabane
Prairie fleabane bears small white flowers over several summer months. Although it is an annual, it often returns in a garden through self-sown seed, so a planting can persist without behaving like a conventional long-lived perennial. Leave space for seedlings if you want that recurring effect.
10. Chocolate daisy
Chocolate daisy combines yellow flowers with green-to-red centers and a noticeable fragrance. It can continue flowering through summer and is a distinctive choice for a sunny bed with well-drained clay soil. Its scent adds an experience that white- and yellow-centered daisies do not provide.
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11. Marguerite daisy
Marguerite daisy is a rounded, container-friendly plant that flowers through summer but prefers cooler weather. Use a container filled with quality potting soil and compost, and provide either full sun or part shade. In warm zones it is a strong seasonal display plant; in cooler areas, treat it as a warm-season container feature rather than assuming year-round survival.
Rank #4
- Truly a Classic - Named after snowy mountain peaks, this classic daisy sports abundant bright white petals around golden yellow centers.
- Packet Contents - Each 1 Gram packet contains approximately 700 premium, open pollinated, non-GMO, flower seeds. (See photos on this page of packet and contents.)
- Premium Packaging - All seeds from The Old Farmer’s Almanac are packaged in individually styled packets ideal for gifts, storage or immediate use. Each packet displays the flower, vegetable, plant or herb variety on the front with instructions and plant facts on the back.
- Freshly Packed - These seeds are packed for the current growing season and will provide high germination rates next year as well.
- Slow & Steady Growers - An easy-to-grow perennial, Shasta Daisies take 2 years to mature and bloom.
12. Coneflower daisy
Coneflower produces purple rays around a burnt-orange center and is one of the tallest choices in this group. It attracts pollinators and tolerates drought, heat and humidity once established. Place it toward the back of a border or in a naturalistic planting so its height does not shade smaller daisies.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to choose the right daisy
Start with hardiness
Use your local USDA hardiness zone as the first filter. The broadest range belongs to prairie fleabane (Zones 2–10), while warm-climate options such as Gerbera (8–10) and Marguerite (8–11) need milder winters or seasonal container treatment. Coneflower, Gloriosa and Painted daisies cover colder gardens, with listed minimum zones of 3.
Match mature size to the site
For edging and small containers, English and Dahlberg daisies remain under a foot tall. Shasta, Nippon, Michaelmas, Prairie fleabane and Chocolate daisies occupy the middle tier. Coneflower can reach 4 feet, so reserve vertical space and avoid placing it where it will block shorter plants.
Match moisture and drainage
Most of these daisies require well-drained soil, but their moisture preferences differ. Dahlberg is the clearest lean-soil, drought-oriented choice; Gerbera demands excellent drainage; Shasta and Coneflower prefer moist, well-drained conditions. Chocolate daisy specifically accepts well-drained clay, while Marguerite is best in a prepared container mix.
Choose for timing and purpose
- Long-season or late flowers: Shasta blooms from June to September with deadheading, while Nippon often flowers in October or November.
- Containers: Gerbera and Marguerite are the most explicitly container-suited; English and Dahlberg also fit compact plantings.
- Pollinators: Gloriosa, Painted, Michaelmas, Coneflower and the fragrant Chocolate daisy are especially useful choices.
- Naturalizing: Michaelmas can spread by seed, and annual Prairie fleabane can return through self-sowing.
- Cut flowers: Shasta’s classic white-and-yellow form and Gerbera’s broad color range suit cutting displays.
Basic care decisions that prevent common problems
- Provide the listed sun exposure, then prioritize drainage wherever the plant description calls for it.
- Space Gerberas 12–18 inches apart to improve airflow and reduce powdery-mildew pressure.
- Deadhead Shasta daisies to prolong the flowering display.
- Remove infected Gerbera leaves rather than leaving diseased foliage in a crowded canopy.
- Cut Painted daisies back after flowering to support vigor.
- Allow room for self-seeding Michaelmas daisies and Prairie fleabane if natural spread is part of your plan.
Annual, perennial and seasonal behavior
Not every plant sold as a “daisy” follows the same life cycle. Shasta and Nippon are perennial garden daisies, while Prairie fleabane is an annual that can reappear from seed. Gerbera and Marguerite are most dependable as warm-climate or warm-season plants, especially in containers. Michaelmas may persist and expand by seed, so its behavior can look more naturalized than a tightly clumping perennial. Check the listed zone and your winter temperatures before treating any daisy as permanent.
Quick Recap
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