Yam Daisy (Microseris lanceolata)

Photo: EditorAndrewCC BY-SA 4.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped

Yam Daisy Plant Care

Microseris lanceolata (Walp.) Sch.Bip.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Microseris lanceolata is an Australian alpine herb with yellow flowers and one of three plants known as murnong or yam daisy along with Microseris scapigera and Microseris walteri.

🌱Herbs🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Yam Daisy?

Plant Yam 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 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

What Is the Yam Daisy?

Yam Daisy (Microseris lanceolata) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Microseris genus. Yam Daisy is also known as Daisylike Yam, Native Yam, Murnong.

Yam Daisy displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Yam Daisy produces bright yellow daisy-like flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Yam Daisy?

Water a young or newly planted Yam 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 Yam Daisy Need?

Yam Daisy thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Yam Daisy Prefer?

Microseris lanceolata tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Yam Daisy prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Yam Daisy?

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Yam Daisy to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Yam Daisy?

Feed Yam 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 Yam Daisy?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Yam 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 Yam Daisy?

Yam 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 Yam Daisy?

Prune Yam 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 Yam Daisy in Winter?

Yam 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 Yam Daisy?

Yam Daisy can be propagated through seeds, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to jahresbericht der pollichia plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Yam Daisy Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Yam 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 Yam Daisy?

Yam 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 Yam Daisy Need?

Yam Daisy grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Yam Daisy as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Yam 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 Microseris genus — compare its care with other Microseris species on PlantoScan.

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

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

More Microseris Species

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

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Microseris lanceolata (Walp.) Sch.Bip., family Asteraceae (first published in Jahresber. Pollichia 22-24: 310 (1866)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Yam 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: EditorAndrew, CC BY-SA 4.0, 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.

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