Singapore Daisy (Wedelia trilobata) Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners
Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 1st Feb 2024
- Plant Characteristics: A fast-growing groundcover with small, daisy-like yellow flowers and lush green foliage. Spreads quickly to fill in bare areas, offering a continuous display of blooms in warm climates.
- Growing & Care: Thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. Tolerant of a variety of soil conditions, including poor soils. Regular watering encourages more blooms.
- Tips for New Gardeners: An ideal choice for covering large areas quickly. Can be invasive, so regular trimming may be necessary to control its spread. Great for adding a splash of color to sunny borders or as a filler in garden beds.
Wedelia trilobata syn. Sphagneticola trilobata, better known as Wedelia, is a herbaceous perennial with glossy, dark green leaves, and small bright yellow flowers.
This plant is also known as the Singapore daisy and creeping-oxeye, and is a member of the daisy, Sunflower, and Aster (Compositae) family.
Sphagneticola trilobata (Wedelia)flowering habit at Ohialani Haiku, Maui, Hawaii. photograph by Forest and Kim Starr.
Because some regions list it as an invasive species, always check the local guidelines before planting it. It is a major weed in some areas.
It is native to Central and South America where it has a hardy character. It grows well in USDA zones 8b to 11 and can withstand winter temperatures to about 15°F (–10°C).
Plants are mat forming to about two feet (60 cm), with stems reaching about six or seven feet in height (2 m). These typically carry a small dozen ray-like flowers of about 1/10th of an inch (3 mm). The leaves are green (darker above than below), serrated, fleshy, and hairy.
Wedelia trilobata, aka Sphagneticola trilobata leaves, photograph by Forest and Kim Starr; CC.
Wedelia trilobata grows well in a variety of areas and is a favorite option for many landscaping projects, especially in warmer areas.
Wedelia plants photograph by Forest and Kim Starr; CC.
Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing Singapore Daisy
It can cover rough, rocky ground, wet drainage spots, or even desert areas without problems.
It is a popular plant due to its small and daisy-like flowers that bloom during the warm season.
Wedelia propagates easily through setting un-rooted tip cuttings in the intended spot. It grows best in all conditions, whether they get full shade or full sun.
However, it produces the best flowers when given full sun.
Managing Singapore daisy is all about controlling its spread. This plant can grow almost too well in most instances, so that the main care involves cutting back its fast growth.
Its best use is to cover barren land to prevent the erosion of soil.
In a garden or backyard, Wedelia trilobata needs monitoring so that it does not take over outside of its area.
Do not overwater or provide too much fertilizer, or Singapore daisy may overwhelm other areas of your garden.
Uncontrolled spreading can occur even when planting in containers because of its vine-like in its growth.
Close up of a Singapore Daisy flower, photograph by Lalithamba; CC.
-
Seed Success: Start Strong with this Ultimate Seed Starter Kit
Elevate your gardening game today by securing your Reusable Seed Starter Tray Kit. Get this must-have for any gardening enthusiast on Amazon and give your seedlings the head start they deserve. Embark on your journey to a bountiful harvest with confidence.
-
Garden Mastery: Unleash Your Potential with the Essential Tool Set
Boost your gardening with the CHRYZTAL Gardening Tool Set. Get this essential kit on Amazon for effortless gardening. A good set of tools is key to a thriving garden; make every cut count. Cultivate with ease and watch your garden flourish.
Wedelia trilobata Growing and Care Guide
- Scientific Name: Wedelia trilobata, Syn. Sphagneticola trilobata
- Common Name: Singapore daisy, Creeping oxeye, Trailing daisy, and Wedelia.
- Growing Zone: USA: 9 to 11
- Life Cycle / Plant Type: Groundcover, Indoor Plant
Plant Details
- Plant Height (Inches): 6 to 9 inches (15 to 23 cm).
- Plant Spread (Inches): 4 to 6 feet (1 to 2 meters).
- Time of Bloom: Late spring through mid-autumn.
- Flower Details: Yellow, daisy-like.
- Leaf Foliage: Green, hairy.
- Growth Form: Spreading or horizontal, Upright / erect, Variable spread
Ideal Growing Conditions
- Best Light Conditions: Partially shady to full sunlight
- Rate of Growth: Quick
- Suitable Soil Types: Acidic, Adaptable, Alkaline, Clay, Loamy, Neutral, Sandy, Slightly alkaline, Well drained
- Soil Moisture: Moist/Wet
Caring Conditions
- Care: Wedelia trilobata thrives in full sun to partial shade and requires regular watering to establish, it will become drought-tolerant once established.
- Level of Maintenance: This plant is considered low to moderate maintenance, requiring an occasional trimming to control its spread.
- Propagation: It can be propagated easily from stem cuttings, ensure a node is buried in the soil. Alternatively, divide established clumps.
- How to Prune: Pruning is required to control spread and maintain shape. Simply trim the stems and remove any unwanted growth.
- Pests: A little susceptible to aphids and spider mites, but generally resistant.
- Diseases: Relatively disease-resistant, may suffer from fungal issues in overly wet conditions.
Further Information
- Best Garden Use: Ground cover in warm areas, Cascades, Container Garden.
- Family: Asteraceae (Compositae)
- Closely Related Species: Achillea, Aster, Callistephus, Cosmea, Helianthus, Leontopodium, Liatris, Sanvitalia, Stokesia, Townsendia, and Zinnia.
- Miscellaneous: North American native, Invasive, Naturalizing, Extended bloom season in Zones 9A and above, Attractive flowers / blooms
- Genus Detail: Wedelia
- Further Reading and References: Here and Here
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Wedelia trilobata. You may also enjoy the following growing guides: How to grow Argyranthemum and Pot Marigold.
Elevate Your Gardening Game
Weekly Growing & Care Guides for Your Inbox!
Find the insights on this site valuable? Then you're going to love my book: 'The Gardener's HQ Plant Growing Guide'.
Upon purchase, receive the eBook in PDF, MOBI (for Kindle), and ePub (most e-readers and iPad) formats. Also available from Amazon USA, Amazon UK, and iBooks.
