How to Grow Argyranthemum frutescens Plants in your Garden

Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing Marguerite Daisy / Canary Marguerite

Originating in the Canary Islands, cheery-looking Argyranthemum frutescens is a bushy, upright perennial prized for its dazzling, daisy-like white, yellow or pink blossoms.

This delightfully fragrant, showy plant is part of the Sunflower, Aster, and Daisy family (Asteraceae (Compositae)) and is known as the Paris daisy, Cobbity daisy, Canary marguerite, Marguerite daisy, and Summer daisy.

Argyranthemum frutescens loves to bask in the sun and is happiest in gardens or borders with full sunlight or minimal shade. It also enjoys planters and does quite well as a cut flower.

Canary marguerite
Argyranthemum frutescens (Paris daisy, Marguerite daisy) photograph by Forest and Kim Starr.

The Marguerite daisy’s foliage is thick and fern-like, and has a spread of one to three feet (30 to 90 cm) high and wide.

This charming plant is a great wildlife garden plant as it helps to attract butterflies and other pollinators.

Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing Marguerite Daisy

Argyranthemum frutescens is low-maintenance and easy to grow. It is not overly picky about the type of soil or pH.

When planted, it should be located in an area that is sheltered from the wind and immersed in full sunlight.

It thrives in moist soil with adequate drainage, and highly nourishing organic substances like compost.

Spreading mulch around the plants will boost water retention and discourage weed growth.

Care must be taken not to inundate when watering Argyranthemum frutescens, since it cannot survive in soggy soils.

Space marguerite daisy at about one to two feet (30 to 60 cm), as they have quite a large spread.

If grown in containers, then they will need a potting mix, rather than garden soil, which is too heavy for proper drainage in a pot.

Every two weeks, feed with a general-purpose fertilizer. It is important to deadhead, or pinch off, wilted blossoms so that the plants are not wasting energy non-floral growth.

Argyranthemum frutescens Growing and Care Guide

Scientific Name: Argyranthemum frutescens
Common Name: Canary Marguerite, Paris daisy, marguerite, marguerite daisy
Growing Zone: USA: 9 to 11
Life Cycle / Plant Type: Indoor Plant, Perennial

Plant Details

Plant Height (Inches): 24 to 36
Plant Spread (Inches): 24 to 30
Time of Bloom: Summer
Flower Details: White
Leaf Foliage: Green
Fruit:
Growth Form: Rounded, Upright or erect

Ideal Growing Conditions

Best Light Conditions: Partially shady to full sunlight
Rate of Growth: Average pace
Suitable Soil Types: Loamy, Neutral, Sandy, Well drained
Soil Moisture: Moist

Caring Conditions

Care:
Level of Maintenance: Low
Propagation: Soft-wood cuttings in spring, semi-hardwood cuttings of non-flowering shoots at all other times
How to Prune: Deadhead regularly. No or minimal pruning is needed. If necessary then perform in late spring, and after blooming.
Pests: Leaf miners may be a problem
Diseases: Crown gall is occasionally problematic

Further Information

Can Attract:
Tolerant of:
Best Garden Use: Border, Container, Seashore, Specimen
Family: Asteraceae (Compositae)
Closely Related Species: Achillea, Aster, Callistephus, Cosmea, Helianthus, Leontopodium, Liatris, Sanvitalia, Stokesia, Townsendia, and Zinnia.

Miscellaneous: Attractive foliage, Extended bloom season in Zones 9A and above, Attractive flowers / blooms
Genus Detail: Argyranthemum
Further Reading and References: Here and Here

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Argyranthemum frutescens. You may also enjoy the following growing guides: How to grow Senecio articulatus and Argyranthemum frutescens.