If youre looking for an easy-to-grow perennial that will add a cheerful touch to your garden, consider the Shasta Daisy. This classic flower, named after the Shasta mountains in California, features white petals and a sunny yellow center. Not only do they bloom all summer long, but Shasta Daisies also attract beneficial insects to your garden. These low-maintenance flowers are perfect for wildflower and cottage gardens and will continue to bloom from early summer to late fall.
Shasta daisies are a classic and beautiful flower that no garden should be without Their bright white petals and sunny yellow centers add cheer wherever they are planted. Growing Shasta daisies from seed is an easy, rewarding way to add these charmers to your garden.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to successfully grow vibrant Shasta daisies from seed.
An Overview of Lovely Shasta Daisies
Before jumping into growing them let’s do a quick overview of this perennial favorite
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Botanical name: Leucanthemum x superbum
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Bloom time: Early summer to fall
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Flowers: White petals with yellow centers, single or double blooms
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Height: 1-4 feet
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Spread: 1-3 feet
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Hardiness: Zones 5-9
Here are some key facts about Shasta daisies that make them a treasured garden flower:
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Extremely cold hardy perennial that returns each year
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Tolerates heat and drought once established
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Long bloom period from early summer into fall
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Excellent cut flowers with a good vase life
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Attracts pollinators like butterflies and bees
Now let’s look at how to grow these beauties from seed!
When to Plant Shasta Daisy Seeds
You have the option of starting Shasta daisy seeds indoors or directly sowing them outside. Here are the optimal time frames:
Indoors
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last expected spring frost date. This gives enough time for the seedlings to grow into sturdy young plants that can be moved outdoors.
Outdoors
Direct sow Shasta daisy seeds into your garden when soil temperatures reach at least 70°F. This is usually a few weeks after the last spring frost.
Fall
You can also plant fresh seeds in fall, sowing 8-10 weeks before the first frost so plants have time to establish roots before winter dormancy.
Starting Shasta Daisy Seeds Indoors
Sowing seeds indoors gives you more control over factors like moisture, light, and temperature for improved germination rates. Here’s how to do it:
Supplies Needed
- Shasta daisy seeds
- Containers – seed trays or pots
- Seed starting mix
- Grow lights (optional)
- Plastic dome or wrap
Step-By-Step Process
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Fill containers with moistened seed starting mix. Gently tap down.
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Place 1-2 seeds on the soil surface about 1 inch apart.
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Gently press seeds into the soil but don’t cover completely. Light aids germination.
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Mist the soil until moist but not saturated.
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Optional: Cover trays with plastic domes to retain moisture.
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Place containers in a bright spot or under grow lights.
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Maintain soil temperature of 65-70°F for optimal results.
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Once sprouted, remove any domes and carefully water to prevent damping off disease.
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Thin seedlings to the strongest plant per cell once 2 sets of true leaves appear.
Transplanting Shasta Daisy Seedlings Outdoors
Young Shasta daisy plants can be moved outside once they are several inches tall and past the threat of frost.
Hardening Off
Over 7-10 days, slowly expose seedlings to longer periods outdoors to “harden off”. Avoid hot sun/wind at first.
Transplanting
Move seedlings into the garden in evening or on a cloudy day to prevent transplant shock. Gently loosen roots before replanting at the same depth. Water in well and provide shade for a few days.
Direct Sowing Shasta Daisy Seeds Outdoors
For a casual, natural look, you can scatter Shasta daisy seeds right into the garden for self-sowing flowers each year.
When: After all chance of frost when soil reaches at least 70°F. Can also plant in fall.
Where: Area with full sun to partial shade and good drainage.
How: Evenly scatter seeds over the soil surface. Gently press into the soil and mist well to moisten. Keep moist until sprouted. Thin to 6-12 inches apart.
Caring for Shasta Daisies
Once established, Shasta daisies are very easy to care for. Here are their needs:
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Sun: Full sun is best, can tolerate some partial shade
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Soil: Average garden soil enriched with compost or manure
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Water: Moderate, allow soil to partially dry between waterings
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Fertilizer: Apply balanced fertilizer or compost in spring
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Pruning: Deadhead spent blooms to encourage new flowers
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Dividing: Divide congested clumps every 2-3 years in spring or fall
Common Pests and Diseases
Shasta daisies have very few problems but may be affected by:
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Slugs/snails – Use organic baits if population is high
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Aphids – Wash off with water or insecticidal soap
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Root rot – Avoid overwatering and improve drainage
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Powdery mildew – Can occur in humidity, increase air flow
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Rust – Remove affected leaves, avoid overhead watering
Tips for Growing Gorgeous Shasta Daisies
Follow these tips to get the most beauty from your Shasta daisies grown from seed:
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Give young plants protection from intense sun and wind until established
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Deadhead constantly during bloom season to encourage more flowers
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Stake taller varieties like ‘Alaska’ to prevent flopping in heavy rain
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Cut blooms for bouquets early morning when freshest
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Divide congested clumps every 2-3 years to rejuvenate and control spread
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Plant in masses for striking drifts of daisies throughout your garden
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Mix with bee balm, coneflowers, and ornamental grasses for color
FAQs About Growing Shasta Daisies from Seed
How long do Shasta daisies take to bloom from seed?
If started indoors, Shasta daisy seeds may bloom about 3-4 months after being sown. If direct sown outdoors, allow at least 2-3 months for blooms the first season.
Do Shasta daisies come back every year?
Yes, Shasta daisies are herbaceous perennials that will return each year if grown in the proper hardiness zone. They are extremely cold hardy.
Should Shasta daisy seeds be covered when planting?
No, Shasta daisy seeds need light to germinate so do not cover them with soil when planting. Simply press gently into the soil surface.
How much sun do Shasta daisies need?
Shasta daisies grow best with full sun. They can tolerate some partial shade but will produce fewer blooms.
Conclusion
Growing Shasta daisies from seed is a straightforward, rewarding way to add reliable color to your garden. In just a few months, you’ll have gorgeous drifts of white blooms to enjoy all season long. With proper care, these summer-blooming beauties will return each year to dazzle your landscape. Give Shasta daisy seeds a try this year – you won’t be disappointed!
Tips for fail-proof Shasta Daisy seed germination
Sowing seeds indoors will give you more control over water, light, and temperature. The three most important things for seed germination.
- Use a seed starting mix.
- Gently press Shasta Daisy seeds onto the moist growing medium.
- Planting depth for seeds is 1/8”
- Shasta daisy seeds require light for germination. So be careful not to bury them.
- Mist the seeds with water.
- Use a humidity dome or cover to help keep moisture in and prevent the seeds from drying out.
- Optimal soil temperature for germination is 70ºF.
- Shasta Daisy seeds should start sprouting in 15 to 21 days.
- Once the seeds sprout and start sending down roots, water the seedlings from the bottom to avoid damping off.
Are Shasta Daisies deer resistant?
Luckily for us, deer don’t like to eat Shasta Daisies. However, if food sources are scarce, deer may try them out. But these hardy perennials will grow back.