Mackau's Mountain Daisy Plant Care
Celmisia mackaui Raoul
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Celmisia mackaui, commonly known as the Akaroa daisy or Banks Peninsula daisy, is a species of flowering plant in the mountain daisy genus Celmisia which is endemic to Banks Peninsula, New Zealand. It was first collected near Akaroa in 1843 by French naval surgeon and botanist Étienne Raoul, who named it after Minister of the French Navy Ange René Armand de Mackau.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Mackau's Mountain Daisy?
Plant Mackau's Mountain 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 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Mackau's Mountain Daisy Native To?
What Is the Mackau's Mountain Daisy?
Mackau's Mountain Daisy (Celmisia mackaui) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Celmisia genus. Mackau's Mountain Daisy is native to Banks Peninsula, New Zealand.
Mackau's Mountain Daisy displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Mackau's Mountain Daisy produces daisy-like flowers in white, pink, or purple.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Mackau's Mountain Daisy?
Water a young or newly planted Mackau's Mountain 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 Mackau's Mountain Daisy Need?
Mackau's Mountain Daisy thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Mackau's Mountain Daisy Prefer?
Celmisia mackaui tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Mackau's Mountain Daisy prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Mackau's Mountain Daisy?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Mackau's Mountain Daisy to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Mackau's Mountain Daisy?
Feed Mackau's Mountain 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 Mackau's Mountain Daisy?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Mackau's Mountain 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 Mackau's Mountain Daisy?
Mackau's Mountain Daisy can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 2 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 Mackau's Mountain Daisy?
Prune Mackau's Mountain 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 Mackau's Mountain Daisy in Winter?
Mackau's Mountain 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 Mackau's Mountain Daisy?
Mackau's Mountain Daisy can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to narrow-leafed mountain daisy plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Mackau's Mountain Daisy Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Mackau's Mountain 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 Mackau's Mountain Daisy?
Mackau's Mountain 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 Mackau's Mountain Daisy Need?
Mackau's Mountain Daisy grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Mackau's Mountain Daisy is native to Banks Peninsula, New Zealand. In cooler regions, grow Mackau's Mountain Daisy as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Mackau's Mountain 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 Celmisia genus — compare its care with other Celmisia species on PlantoScan.
Celmisia is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Mackau's Mountain Daisy thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Celmisia Species
Other Celmisia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Celmisia mackaui Raoul, family Asteraceae (first published in Choix Pl. Nouv.-Zel. 19 (t. 14). 1846 [Jan 1846]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Mackau's Mountain 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.
- 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.
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