
Photo: Bob Peterson from North Palm Beach, Florida, Planet Earth!CC BY-SA 2.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Sea Oxeye Daisy Plant Care
Borrichia frutescens (L.) DC.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Borrichia frutescens is a North American species of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae known by the common names sea oxeye, sea oxeye daisy, bushy seaside tansy, and sea-marigold. In Veracruz it is called verdolaga de mar. It is native to the United States and Mexico, where it occurs along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. Its distribution extends from Maryland south to Florida and west to Texas in the US, and along the Mexican Gulf Coast to the Yucatán Peninsula. It is an introduced species in some areas, such as Bermuda and Spain.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Sea Oxeye Daisy?
Plant Sea Oxeye Daisy in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Sea Oxeye Daisy Native To?
What Is the Sea Oxeye Daisy?
Sea Oxeye Daisy (Borrichia frutescens) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Borrichia genus. Sea Oxeye Daisy is native to the United States and Mexico. Sea Oxeye Daisy is also known as False Goldenrod, Saltmarsh Elder, Borrichia frutescens.
Sea Oxeye Daisy displays a low spreading groundcover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Sea Oxeye Daisy produces small yellow daisy-like flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Sea Oxeye Daisy?
Water a young or newly planted Sea Oxeye Daisy every 7–14 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 7–14 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Sea Oxeye Daisy Need?
Sea Oxeye Daisy thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Sea Oxeye Daisy Prefer?
Borrichia frutescens tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Sea Oxeye Daisy prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Sea Oxeye Daisy?
Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Sea Oxeye Daisy to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Sea Oxeye Daisy?
Feed Sea Oxeye 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 Sea Oxeye Daisy?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Sea Oxeye Daisy is suited to USDA Zone 12a.
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 Sea Oxeye Daisy?
Sea Oxeye Daisy can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 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 Sea Oxeye Daisy?
Prune Sea Oxeye 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 Sea Oxeye Daisy in Winter?
Sea Oxeye Daisy is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.
How Do You Propagate a Sea Oxeye Daisy?
Sea Oxeye Daisy can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to tree seaside sunflower plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Sea Oxeye Daisy Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Sea Oxeye 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 Sea Oxeye Daisy?
Sea Oxeye Daisy is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, spider mites. 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 Sea Oxeye Daisy Need?
Sea Oxeye Daisy grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Sea Oxeye Daisy is native to the United States and Mexico. In cooler regions, grow Sea Oxeye Daisy as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Sea Oxeye 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 Borrichia genus — compare its care with other Borrichia species on PlantoScan.
Borrichia is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Sea Oxeye Daisy thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Borrichia frutescens (L.) DC., family Asteraceae (first published in Prodr. 5: 489 (1836)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Sea Oxeye 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: Bob Peterson from North Palm Beach, Florida, Planet Earth!, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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.
