What Are the Best Tips for Growing a Daisy Plant?

A daisy plant is a hardy perennial, so it produces flowers year after year. This type of plant is typically easy to grow from seeds, making it a good option for a beginner gardener. For the best results, seeds should be planted in rich, well-drained soil, in an area that receives full sunlight for most of the day. Daisy plants do not require large amounts of water, but should be watered regularly if there is a lack of rain and the soil becomes very dry. Fertilizer should be used when the plants are young to promote growth, as well as just before the blooming season for bigger flowers.

Seeds will grow best in soil that is rich in nutrients, but a daisy plant can grow well even in poor soil. Manure can be added to garden soil to provide extra nutrients, however, and make the soil a more hospitable environment for the plant. This type of flower tends to develop a shallow root system and needs room to grow. Seeds should be planted approximately 9 inches (23 cm) apart to avoid crowding each other.

A daisy plant usually grows best when it is planted in an area that receives full sunlight each day, but it can grow in partial shade. If the plant is being grown in a climate that is very hot, it may require some shade to prevent it from wilting and dying. Daisy plants should be watered when weather conditions are dry, or if the soil itself becomes overly dry, but otherwise they do not normally require a lot of watering.

Fertilizer should be applied to the plant as it begins to grow in order to promote a healthy stalk and leaves. After the initial growth period, fertilizer can be used once a month to provide extra nutrients to the plant. As a daisy plant matures and begins to bloom, a fertilizer that is high in phosphorus should be used prior to the expected blooming time to encourage it to produce larger flowers.

With minimal care, a daisy plant often survives for several seasons and produce flowers each year. If it becomes too dense, it should be thinned out every three to four years. Thinning out a daisy plant in this way should prevent overcrowding and allow each stalk's root system to access the water and nutrients that it needs from the soil. During the blooming season, the flowers may be cut from the plant and used in arrangements or bouquets.