Gardening Plants & Flowers Flowers

13 Recommended Plants With Daisy-Like Flowers

The common daisy (Bellis perennis) is the classic wildflower, just begging to be added to a kitchen counter vase or woven into a flower crown. This happy-face flower with radiating white petals around a yellow center disk is one of the most identifiable of all flowers. But like the dandelion (another common "wildflower"), the common daisy is also considered an invasive weed in many areas, especially where it colonizes lawns and gardens with uncontrollable vigor. For this reason, a number of other plant species with a similar daisy-like appearance offer better choices for garden use. Their flowers also tend to be more attractive than those of the common daisy.

coreopsis flowers

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

Illustrations of plants with daisy like flowers

The Spruce

These species are identified by their composite flowers, in which each bloom is actually composed of individual flowers arranged in a radiating pattern to appear as a single flower. Colors are typically white, yellow, or purple, but horticulturalists have also created cultivars sporting an enormous range of colors and bloom shapes. Most of these species are also known for their tolerance for relatively dry conditions, making them a good choice for locations that can be challenging for other flowers.

Here are 13 great options if you want daisy-like flowers in your garden.

  • 01 of 13

    Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)

    Gerbera jamesonii

     

    Maria Mosolova / Getty Images 

    The gerbera daisy (also known as transvaal daisy) is a clump-forming warm-weather tender perennial species native to South America, Africa, and Asia, generally grown as an annual. Plants typically grow 12 to 15 inches tall, with distinctive round flowers about 4 inches in diameter. It grows best in climates with warm days and cool nights. Deadheading spent flowers will prompt continuous reblooming.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 8 to 11
    • Color Varieties: Red, yellow, or orange around bronze-yellow center disks; cultivars in many other colors are also available.
    • Sun Exposure: Partial sun to full shade
    • Soil Needs: Medium-moisture, well-draining soil
  • 02 of 13

    German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

    chamomile flowers

    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

    Chamomile is the common name used for several species, but German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is the one with tiny white daisy-like blooms on spindly stems. This short-lived perennial plant is also used as an ingredient in calming herbal teas. Sow seeds in the fall for blooms coming up in the spring. Chamomile is an easy plant to grow in full sun with little to no maintenance—so much so that it can become an invasive weed. Plants grow 1 to 2 feet tall, and freely self-seed in the garden unless the flowers are deadheaded after blooming.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 8; generally planted as an annual
    • Color Varieties: White with yellow centers
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Soil Needs: Dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soil
  • 03 of 13

    False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides)

    Heliopsis helianthoides (false sunflower)

    The Spruce / Marie Iannotti

    These tall plants (3 to 6 feet tall), also known as Oxeye sunflowers, covered with full yellow-orange flowers do very well in warm southern climates and are a good choice for poor soils. They tolerate drought conditions, though they bloom better when given regular moisture. In shady conditions, the flower stalks will need to be staked to provide support. Closely related to true sunflowers, which are annual plants, H. helianthoides is a perennial species with smaller, more profuse flowers. It blooms from June to August. Deadheading helps prolong blooms.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
    • Color Varieties: Orange/yellow flowers around brown center disks
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Soil Needs: Dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soil; tolerates poor soil
  • 04 of 13

    Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis)

    calendula flowers

    The Spruce / Margot Cavin 

    Excellent as a companion plant, calendula is edible, medicinal, and helps with natural pest control by drawing beneficial insects that feed on pest insects. This is a different plant than garden marigolds (which belong to Tagetes, another genus within the Asteraceae family). Pot marigold sports colorful, full flower heads with a daisy-like shape and full, almost bushy petals. Plants grow 1 to 2 feet tall. For an extra-long blooming time, be sure to deadhead them after spring flowering. This is a short-lived perennial in warmer zones, but it readily self-seeds in all zones unless flowers are deadheaded after blooming. Many different cultivars are available, offering a variety of bloom colors and shapes.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 8 to 11; usually grown as an annual
    • Color Varieties: Yellow to deep orange
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil Needs: Rich, well-drained soil
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  • 05 of 13

    Asters (Aster Spp.)

    Close up of purple asters in bloom

    Kevin Dutton / Getty Images

    The Aster genus contains 180 species, but those most often used in landscaping are cultivars of hybrid crosses. One very popular variety is Aster 'Celeste', which forms a clump covered with dense purple daisy-like flowers in late summer and early fall. This variety grows to about 30 inches tall, but others can be as tall as 8 feet or as short as 8 inches. All asters are late-bloomers, offering good color in late summer through fall when most other perennials are no longer blooming. Taller asters should be pinched back in mid-summer to keep the plants bushy and full. Asters prefer climates with cool, moist summers. In hot climates, plant asters where they can get afternoon shade.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8
    • Color Varieties: Purple or blue around yellow center disks, pink, red, white
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Soil Needs: Medium-moisture, well-drained soil
  • 06 of 13

    African Daisies (Osteospermum x hybrida)

    African daisies

    The Spruce / Kara Riley

    Most of the plants marketed as African daisies or osteospermum are cultivars of hybrids based on O. ecklonis, O. jucundum, and other species. Growing 1 to 3 feet tall, these plants have daisy-like flowers with stunning metallic centers, blooming in early to mid-summer. These plants need fertilizer, sufficient water, and acidic soil. Although perennial in warm climates, African daisies are grown as annuals in most climate zones. These plants bloom during spring and fall, taking a break in hot summers. Treat them like other cool season flowers, like pansies. Deadhead to encourage continuous blooms.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 9 to 11; grown as an annual in most zones
    • Color Varieties: White, pink, yellow, lavender, and bi-colors, purple, red, orange
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained soil; prefers slightly acidic soil
  • 07 of 13

    Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

    purple coneflower

    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

    A low-maintenance perennial wildflower, Echinacea purpurea sports purple daisy-like flowers. Not only is it beautiful, but it can be grown for medicinal properties and is excellent in tea. The species version has flowers with petals that droop downward, but many cultivars are available that offer better bloom performance and a variety of colors. Some popular cultivars include 'Kim's Knee High', 'Bravado', 'PowWow White', 'Tangerine Dream', 'Gum Drop', and 'Sunbird'. Plants should be divided about every four years.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 10 depending on variety
    • Color Varieties: Purple/pink; cultivars offer other colors
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil Needs: Dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soil; poor soil tolerant
  • 08 of 13

    Coreopsis (Coreopsis Spp.)

    coreopsis flowers

    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

    The Coreopsis genus includes more than 75 perennial plants with daisy-like flowers, several of which are important parent species used to create popular garden varieties. Also known as tickseed, the Coreopsis cultivars most commonly used in gardens are generally derived from C. lanceolata (lance-leaved coreopsis) or C. verticillata (fern-leaf or thread-leaf coreopsis). Both have daisy-like flowers, but the foliage texture varies, with lanceolata varieties sporting elongated leaves, while verticillata varieties have very fine, lacy foliage. Plants are generally 1 to 2 feet in height; they can be sheared back after blooming to stimulate late-season reblooms. These flowers attract lots of bees and butterflies every season. Deadheading encourages repeat blooms.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
    • Color Varieties: Yellow/orange; cultivars with pink, white, purple, and bi-colors are also available
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Soil Needs: Dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soil; tolerant of drought, heat, and humidity and can perform even in poor, rocky soil
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  • 09 of 13

    Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia Spp.)

    black-eyed Susan flower

    The Spruce / Autumn Wood 

    Rudbeckia is a genus containing a large number of flowering perennial species, some of which are known as coneflowers. Those commonly called black-eyed Susans or brown-eyed Susans are generally R. hirta, or cultivars derived from that species. These plants have yellow flowers with dark center disks, growing 2 to 3 feet in height and blooming throughout the summer and early fall. Plant them in large groups for a mass of blooms. R. hirta is a short-lived perennial or biennial, but it self-seeds freely in the garden and readily forms a colony that returns year after year. Little to no maintenance is required.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 7
    • Color Varieties: Yellow with dark centers
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Soil Needs: Medium-moisture, well-drained soil; good tolerance for drought
  • 10 of 13

    Blanket Flower (Gaillardia x Grandiflora)

    blanket flowers

    The Spruce / Autumn Wood 

    Thanks to its thick covering of blooms, gaillardia is also known as blanket flower. While the Gaillardia genus includes many native annual and perennial North American species, those sold for garden use are generally cultivars of a particular hybrid, now known as G. x Grandiflora. Gaillardia is very easy to grow plant when placed in an ideal location. Although it is a short-lived perennial, gaillardia self-seeds easily and readily colonizes in the garden and in naturalized areas.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 10
    • Color Varieties: Red, yellow, orange, peach, and bi-colors
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Soil Needs: Rich soil; grows poorly in heavy clay
  • 11 of 13

    Ice Plant (Delosperma cooperi)

    Field of Delosperma cooperi, Southern Africa
    shihina / Getty Images

    Striking purple daisy-like flowers with yellow centers cover the Delosperma, otherwise known as ice plant. Its gorgeous array does come at a price, though; you have to tend it carefully. The right combination of drainage and moisture will yield breathtaking results. This is a low-growing succulent (3 to 6 inches high) that is perfect where you want to blanket dry ground with daisy-like flowers that bloom all summer. It is quite sensitive to cold and may die out north of zone 7 unless protected.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 10
    • Color Varieties: Purple-red; also bi-colors and tri-colors available
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Soil Needs: Dry, well-drained soil
  • 12 of 13

    Garden Mum (Chrysanthemum)

    'Autumn Days' Chrysanthemums

    Patrick Johns / Getty Images

    The Chrysanthemum genus once included the familiar florists' mums, which have since been reassigned to the Dendranthema genus. The remaining garden mums are generally cultivars of the C. morifolium species or hybrid crosses. These hardy perennial mums, along with asters, provide good late-season color for the garden, blooming from September through frost. These are clump-forming plants that generally grow 2 to 3 feet tall, and various cultivars offer many colors. Unlike many daisy-like flowers that tolerate dry conditions, mums need plenty of moisture to go with lots of sun. Mulching the plants will help retain soil moisture. These are short-lived perennials that are often planted as annuals. Plant in spring for good fall blooms and pinch in early summer to increase blooms and branching.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9; often planted as annuals
    • Color Varieties: Yellow, orange, white, bronze (rust), red, burgundy, pink, lavender, and purple
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained soil
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  • 13 of 13

    Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum)

    shasta daisy

    The Spruce / Autumn Wood

    Possibly the most similar to common daisies, the Shasta daisy is a perennial that grows in clusters several feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide with large, gorgeous blooms. A particularly popular cultivar, 'Becky', grows 3 to 4 feet tall with large, 3- to 4-inch flowers that bloom from July through September. It makes an excellent cut flower. Shasta daisies are somewhat short-lived perennials; be prepared to replant them every two or three years.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9
    • Color Varieties: White with yellow centers
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Soil Needs: Dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soil; does not tolerate wet soil