Trailing daisy (Sphagneticola calendulacea)

Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, KenraizCC BY-SA 4.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped

Trailing daisy Plant Care

Sphagneticola calendulacea (L.) Pruski

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

This plant's bright yellow daisy-like flowers stand out against its lush green foliage, originating from the Caribbean and Central America. Plant collectors are drawn to Sphagneticola calendulacea for its ability to thrive in hot, humid climates and its vibrant, long-lasting blooms.

🌱Herbs🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 3–7 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Trailing daisy?

Plant Trailing daisy in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 9a–11b) and water a young shrub every 3–7 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Trailing daisy Native To?

Native range11 countries

What Is the Trailing daisy?

Trailing daisy (Sphagneticola calendulacea) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Sphagneticola genus. Trailing daisy is native to China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Myanmar, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Taiwan,Bangladesh and Vietnam. Trailing daisy is also known as Wedelia, Verbesina calendulacea, Jaegeria calendulacea.

Trailing daisy displays a low spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Trailing daisy produces small yellow daisy-like flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Trailing daisy?

Water a young or newly planted Trailing daisy every 3–7 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 3–7 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Trailing daisy Need?

Trailing daisy thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Trailing daisy Prefer?

Sphagneticola calendulacea tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Trailing daisy prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

60–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Trailing daisy?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Trailing daisy?

Feed Trailing 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 Trailing 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.

Trailing daisy is suited to USDA Zone 9a – 11b.

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 Trailing daisy?

Trailing daisy can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 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 Trailing daisy?

Prune Trailing 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 Trailing daisy in Winter?

Trailing daisy is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 9). 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 Trailing daisy?

Trailing daisy can be propagated through stem cuttings, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to trailing daisy plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Trailing daisy Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Trailing 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 Trailing daisy?

Trailing daisy is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, 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 Trailing daisy Need?

Trailing daisy grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9a. Trailing daisy is native to China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Myanmar, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Taiwan,Bangladesh and Vietnam. In cooler regions, grow Trailing daisy as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 9a – 11b

Keep exploring plants

Trailing 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 Sphagneticola genus — compare its care with other Sphagneticola species on PlantoScan.

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

Trailing 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: Sphagneticola calendulacea (L.) Pruski, family Asteraceae (first published in Novon 6(4): 411 (1996)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Trailing 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: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 9a – 11b, 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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