Tridax daisy (Tridax procumbens)

Photo: Wibowo Djatmiko ( Wie146 )CC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped

Tridax daisy Plant Care

Tridax procumbens L.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Tridax procumbens, commonly known as coatbuttons or tridax daisy, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is best known as a widespread weed and pest plant. It is native to the tropical Americas, but it has been introduced to tropical, subtropical, and mild temperate regions worldwide. It is listed as a noxious weed in the United States and has pest status in nine states.

🌱Herbs🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Tridax daisy?

Plant Tridax daisy in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 10a–12b) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Tridax daisy Native To?

Native range40 countries

What Is the Tridax daisy?

Tridax daisy (Tridax procumbens) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Tridax genus. Tridax daisy is native to the tropical Americas including Mexico. Tridax daisy is also known as Wild daisy, Coat buttons, Tridax procumbens.

Tridax daisy displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Tridax daisy produces small daisy-like yellow flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Tridax daisy?

Water a young or newly planted Tridax daisy every 7–10 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 7–10 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Tridax daisy Need?

Tridax daisy thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Tridax daisy Prefer?

Tridax procumbens tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Tridax daisy prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

60–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Tridax daisy?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Tridax daisy?

Feed Tridax 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 Tridax 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.

Tridax daisy is suited to USDA Zone 10a – 12b.

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 Tridax daisy?

Tridax daisy can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 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 Tridax daisy?

Prune Tridax 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 Tridax daisy in Winter?

Tridax daisy is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). 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 Tridax daisy?

Tridax daisy can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to tridax rosea plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Tridax daisy Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Tridax 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 Tridax daisy?

Tridax 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 Tridax daisy Need?

Tridax daisy grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10a – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10a. Tridax daisy is native to the tropical Americas including Mexico. In cooler regions, grow Tridax daisy as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 10a – 12b

Keep exploring plants

Tridax 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 Tridax genus — compare its care with other Tridax species on PlantoScan.

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

Tridax 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: Tridax procumbens L., family Asteraceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 900 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Tridax 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: Wibowo Djatmiko ( Wie146 ), CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 10a – 12b, 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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