Photo: Billjones94CC BY-SA 4.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
False Daisy Plant Care
Eclipta prostrata (L.) L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Eclipta prostrata, commonly known as false daisy, yerba de tago, Gunta kalagaraku/Gunta galagaraku, Karisalankanni, and bhringraj, is a species of plant in the family Asteraceae. It is widespread across much of the world.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun to partial shade
65–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for False Daisy?
Water False Daisy every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 65–85°F (18–29°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season.
What Is the False Daisy?
False Daisy (Eclipta prostrata) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Eclipta genus. False Daisy is also known as Eclipta, Trailing Eclipta, Acmella lanceolata.
False Daisy displays a low spreading herb growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. False Daisy produces small white flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a False Daisy?
Eclipta prostrata requires watering every 3–5 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 3–5 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the False Daisy Need?
False Daisy thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the False Daisy Prefer?
Eclipta prostrata grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. False Daisy prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a False Daisy?
Moist, well-draining soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for False Daisy to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a False Daisy?
Feed False Daisy every 4 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 4 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 False Daisy?
Repot annually in 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 False Daisy?
False Daisy can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.
Is the False Daisy Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list False 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 False Daisy?
False Daisy is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. 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 False Daisy Need?
False Daisy grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. In cooler regions, grow False Daisy as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
False 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 Eclipta genus — compare its care with other Eclipta species on PlantoScan.
Eclipta is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
False 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: Eclipta prostrata (L.) L., family Asteraceae (first published in Mant. Pl. 2: 286 (1771)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list False 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: Billjones94, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, 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.
Identify Plants Like the
False Daisy Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species