Mediterranean Daisy (Bellis sylvestris)

Photo: AlvesgasparCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped

Mediterranean Daisy Plant Care

Bellis sylvestris Cirillo

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Featuring striking daisy-like flowers with white petals and yellow centers, this plant hails from Europe and Asia. Plant collectors covet Bellis sylvestris for its charming appearance and ability to attract pollinators to the garden.

🌱Herbs🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 4–7 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–75°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Mediterranean Daisy?

Plant Mediterranean Daisy in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 8a–10b) and water a young shrub every 4–7 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Mediterranean Daisy Native To?

Native range41 countries

What Is the Mediterranean Daisy?

Mediterranean Daisy (Bellis sylvestris) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Bellis genus. Mediterranean Daisy is native to central and southern Europe, the Middle East, and north Africa, and grows up to fifteen centimetres tall. Mediterranean Daisy is also known as Wild Daisy, English Daisy, Bellis perennis.

Mediterranean Daisy displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Mediterranean Daisy produces small daisy-like flowers in white, pink, or red.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Mediterranean Daisy?

Water a young or newly planted Mediterranean Daisy every 4–7 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 4–7 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Mediterranean Daisy Need?

Mediterranean Daisy thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Mediterranean Daisy Prefer?

Bellis sylvestris tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Mediterranean Daisy prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–75°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Mediterranean Daisy?

Well-draining, fertile soil with added compost. Good drainage is essential for Mediterranean Daisy to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Mediterranean Daisy?

Feed Mediterranean Daisy every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Mediterranean Daisy?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, fertile soil with added compost. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Mediterranean Daisy is suited to USDA Zone 8a – 10b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Mediterranean Daisy?

Mediterranean Daisy can spread to about 1 ft (0.2 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Mediterranean Daisy?

Prune Mediterranean Daisy while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

How Do You Care for a Mediterranean Daisy in Winter?

Mediterranean Daisy is hardy down to USDA zone 8a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

How Do You Propagate a Mediterranean Daisy?

Mediterranean Daisy can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to azores daisy plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Mediterranean Daisy Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Mediterranean Daisy, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Mediterranean Daisy?

Mediterranean Daisy is susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Mediterranean Daisy Need?

Mediterranean Daisy grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Mediterranean Daisy is native to central and southern Europe, the Middle East, and north Africa, and grows up to fifteen centimetres tall.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 8a – 10b

Keep exploring plants

Mediterranean Daisy is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Bellis genus — compare its care with other Bellis species on PlantoScan.

Bellis is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.

Mediterranean Daisy thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Bellis Species

Other Bellis species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Bellis sylvestris Cirillo, family Asteraceae (first published in Pl. Rar. Neapol. 2: 22, t. 4.) — World Flora Online record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Mediterranean Daisy, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Photo: Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 10b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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