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Flower profile

Daisy

Quick facts

Botanical name: Leucanthemum x superbum (Shasta daisy); Gerbera jamesonii (gerbera daisy). In SAF's language of flowers, daisy means innocence.

Orange, yellow and pink gerbera daisies

Daisy at a glance

Meaning
innocence
Colors
  • White
  • Yellow
  • Orange
  • Pink
  • Red
  • Many (gerbera)
Vase life
Gerbera: 4-14 days.
Season
Shasta: June-August in the garden. Gerbera: year-round as a cut flower.
Special care
Cut or buy fully open. Gerbera: hydrate in a tall container so heads stay upright; re-cut stems and change water every 1-2 days. Handle by the stem; petals bruise easily.
Size
Shasta daisies are white with yellow centers, 2 to 3 inches across; florist gerbera daisies are larger single-stem flowers in almost every color
Also called
Shasta daisy, Gerbera daisy, Transvaal daisy

Pet safety

ASPCA lists 'Daisy' (Chrysanthemum species) as toxic to dogs, cats and horses; NC State calls Shasta daisy mildly toxic if eaten and a skin irritant.

About daisies

The classic daisy is a flat flower with a ring of petals around a bright center. Shasta daisies are white with yellow centers, 2 to 3 inches across; florist gerbera daisies are larger single-stem flowers in almost every color.

How to make daisies last

  1. Keep them cool until they are in water. Keep your flowers in a cool place until you can get them into a flower food solution.
  2. Fill a clean vase with water and flower food. Use a clean, deep vase and add the flower food from your florist, following the mixing directions on the packet.
  3. Remove leaves below the waterline. Leaves in water promote bacterial growth that can limit water uptake by the flower.
  4. Re-cut the stems. Remove one to two inches with a sharp knife or clippers that will not crush the stems, then place the flowers straight into the vase.
  5. For daisies. Cut or buy fully open. Gerbera: hydrate in a tall container so heads stay upright; re-cut stems and change water every 1-2 days. Handle by the stem; petals bruise easily.
  6. Keep them in a cool spot. 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents and ceiling fans.

Care steps from SAF’s flower care tips. More flower care tips →

Questions about daisies

What does the daisy mean?

In the traditional language of flowers, the daisy stands for "innocence".

What colors do daisies come in?

Daisies come in white, yellow, orange, pink, red and many (gerbera).

How long do daisies last in a vase?

Gerbera: 4-14 days. Re-cut the stems, use the flower food from your florist and keep the vase cool and out of direct sun to get the most days.

How do you care for daisies?

Keep daisies cool until they are in water, use a clean vase with flower food, remove any leaves below the waterline, re-cut the stems by one to two inches and keep the vase at 65 to 72 degrees, away from direct sunlight and vents. For daisies: Cut or buy fully open. Gerbera: hydrate in a tall container so heads stay upright; re-cut stems and change water every 1-2 days. Handle by the stem; petals bruise easily.

Are daisies safe around pets?

ASPCA lists 'Daisy' (Chrysanthemum species) as toxic to dogs, cats and horses; NC State calls Shasta daisy mildly toxic if eaten and a skin irritant.

Where can I buy daisies?

From a local SAF member florist. Enter the recipient's ZIP code on this page to find florists near them.

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