Also known as painted daisy, Tanacetum coccineum produces showy, three-inch-wide flowers in a variety of brilliant hues, including red, yellow, white, violet, and pink. The colorful petals fan out from a large central disk that’s golden in color, and they bloom from early to mid-summer. The flowers, which are often used in bouquets and cut flower arrangements, grace the tops of stiff stalks adorned by frilly, fern-like leaves. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. The deer-resistant plant, formerly classified as Chrysanthemum coccineum, is hardy in Zones 3-7.
Not sure what the difference is? You can read more about chrysanthemums here. Painted daisy flowers are commercially cultivated to produce pyrethrins, a natural insecticide.
Simple Needs
In northern parts of its growing area, this plant does best in full sun. But in hotter areas, it appreciates afternoon shade. You may be able to find starts at a garden center, or you can propagate painted daisy by seed or division. Divide plants in spring or early fall, and water well. Sow seeds indoors four to six weeks before the last expected frost at 60 to 70°F. You’ll see activity from your seeds in seven to 14 days. Transplant seedlings outdoors when all danger of frost is past. Or seed directly outside when freezing temperatures are in the rearview mirror. Pyrethrum daisy is happy in ordinary, well-drained soil.
Care and Feeding
Once established, painted daisies appreciate moderate water. While their roots are developing, you can be more generous with your watering. Pinch the plants back in the spring when they’re about eight inches tall; this will promote a bushy form. Deadhead after their first bloom to encourage a second.
You might want to divide your plants after three or four years, because they can get crowded. Feed pyrethrum a balanced fertilizer monthly throughout the growing period. Some gardeners add a boost of phosphorous right before the bloom season to encourage profuse flowering. Because T. coccineum flowers have insecticidal characteristics, mature plants aren’t typically bothered by bugs, and are in fact sometimes added to the landscape to keep bugs away from nearby plantings. Young plants, however, might be pestered by chrysanthemum nematodes, aphids, or leaf miners. Treat these pests with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Bonide Neem Oil Bonide organic neem oil is available from Arbico Organics. It kills insects at all lifecycle stages including eggs, larvae, and adults.
Constant Color: Where to Buy
Many varieties are available. If you’re looking for lots of color, you might try this well-regarded mixture, available from True Leaf Market.
Painted Daisy ‘Robinson’s Mixture’ Seeds The packet contains 1000 seeds that produce 24-inch plants with two-and-a-half to three-inch blooms in bright pink, rose, and red.
Beauty and a Little Help Around the Garden
You could say daisies are a dime a dozen. But the easy care and splashy colors of T. coccineum truly make painted daisy a million-dollar standout for gardeners in zones 3-7.
And not only is it a beautiful addition to the landscape, it pays its caretaker back by shooing away bugs from nearby plants. Have you grown this particular daisy? How’d it do for you? Please share tips for other gardeners in the comments section below. And for more tips on growing daisy type flowers, check out some of our other growing guides next:
How to Grow Blackfoot Daisy How to Grow and Care for Swan River Daisy
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