Photo: AlvesgasparCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Oxeye Daisy Plant Care
Buphthalmum helianthoides G.Forst.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Heliopsis helianthoides is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, known by the common names rough oxeye, smooth oxeye and false sunflower. It is native to eastern and central North America from Saskatchewan east to Newfoundland and south as far as Texas, New Mexico, and Georgia.
Every 5–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Oxeye Daisy?
Water Oxeye Daisy every 5–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Oxeye Daisy Native To?
What Is the Oxeye Daisy?
Oxeye Daisy (Buphthalmum helianthoides) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Buphthalmum genus. Oxeye Daisy is native to eastern and central North America from Saskatchewan east to Newfoundland and south as far as Texas, New Mexico, and Georgia. Oxeye Daisy is also known as False Sunflower, Buphthalmum helianthoides.
Oxeye Daisy displays a clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Oxeye Daisy produces daisy-like yellow flowers with dark centers.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Oxeye Daisy?
Buphthalmum helianthoides requires watering every 5–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 5–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Oxeye Daisy Need?
Oxeye Daisy thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Oxeye Daisy Prefer?
Buphthalmum helianthoides grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Oxeye Daisy prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Oxeye Daisy?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Oxeye Daisy to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Oxeye Daisy?
Feed Oxeye Daisy every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Oxeye Daisy?
Divide and repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Oxeye Daisy?
Oxeye Daisy can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to willowleaf oxeye plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Oxeye Daisy Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list 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 Oxeye Daisy?
Oxeye Daisy is susceptible to aphids, leafhoppers, 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 Oxeye Daisy Need?
Oxeye Daisy grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Oxeye Daisy is native to eastern and central North America from Saskatchewan east to Newfoundland and south as far as Texas, New Mexico, and Georgia.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 3a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
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 Buphthalmum genus — compare its care with other Buphthalmum species on PlantoScan.
Buphthalmum is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
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: Buphthalmum helianthoides G.Forst., family Asteraceae (first published in Fl. Ins. Austr. : 57 (1786)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list 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: Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 3a – 9b, 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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