Garden Care Guide

Common Daisy Care

Bellis perennis

A plant that likes cool climates, is planted in autumn and blooms through winter and spring. It prefers full sun or partial shade and moist, well-drained soil; it is ideal for flower beds and pots.

Half-hardy · -8 °C / 18 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: Once a week (5-10 L/m² if there is no rain). Keep the soil moist.
  • Pruning: Remove only yellowing lower leaves.
  • Plant protection: Check for aphids; they are generally inactive in winter.
  • General care: Clear weeds.
  • Pests & diseases: Watch for root rot and leaf spot risk caused by excess moisture.
  • Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -8 °C.
February
  • Watering: 1-2 times a week (10 L/m² if there is no rain).
  • Fertilizing: To encourage flowering, give a potassium-heavy (e.g., NPK 10-20-20) liquid fertilizer at half dose at the end of the month (do not overapply).
  • Pruning: Start deadheading.
  • Plant protection: Be watchful for aphids.
  • General care: Once flowering starts, regularly pick off the fading flowers.
  • Pests & diseases: Snails and slugs can damage fresh shoots.
  • Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -8 °C.
March
  • Watering: 1-2 times a week (10-15 L/m²). Never let the soil dry out completely.
  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer or well-rotted organic fertilizer once when it wakes from dormancy.
  • Pruning: To encourage new flowering, cut off the fading flowers regularly (deadheading).
  • Plant protection: The aphid population may increase; if necessary, use neem oil or an insecticide (e.g., acetamiprid).
  • General care: Clearing weeds and picking off faded flowers are the most important tasks.
  • Pests & diseases: If you see powdery mildew (white powder on the leaves) or rust, use a suitable fungicide.
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Fertilizing: Continue liquid fertilizing once a month.
  • Pruning: Continue removing spent flowers.
  • Plant protection: Check for aphids and spider mites.
  • General care: Keep flower beds looking clean and well kept.
  • Pests & diseases: With the warming weather the risk of spider mites begins. Check the undersides of the leaves.
May
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Fertilizing: At the start of the month, make one last liquid fertilizer application.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • Plant protection: Be careful of spider mites and aphids.
  • General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
  • Pests & diseases: Heat stress weakens the plant and makes it susceptible to pests.
June
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • General care: As temperatures rise, the plant completes its life cycle and can be removed to make room for summer plants.
  • Pests & diseases: The plant is at the end of its life.
July
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • General care: Clear empty flower beds, loosen the soil and, if needed, add organic matter (compost) and let the bed rest.
August
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • General care: If the summer annuals are still in place, take care of them. If not, continue preparing the soil for autumn planting.
September
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Fertilizing: During planting, mix slow-release, low-nitrogen fertilizer or compost into the soil.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • General care: Time to plant new meadow beauty seedlings. Plant the seedlings 15-20 cm apart.
  • Pests & diseases: After planting, check for snails and slugs.
  • Frost risk: Usually absent.
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • General care: It is removed at the end of the season; it is replaced with seasonal planting.
  • Pests & diseases: Observe whether anything is slowing the development of the seedlings.
  • Frost risk: Usually absent.
November
  • Watering: Once a week (5-10 L/m² if there is no rain).
  • Pruning: Remove only lower leaves that are yellowing or rotting.
  • General care: Continue clearing weeds.
  • Pests & diseases: Cold and wet conditions can set the stage for fungal diseases; avoid overwatering.
  • Frost risk: Frost hardy, but it is good to protect it from severe frosts in its first planting year.
December
  • Watering: Once a week (5 L/m² if there is no rain).
  • Pruning: Remove only yellowing leaves.
  • General care: The plant continues to grow slowly through the winter.
  • Pests & diseases: Carry out a general condition check.
  • Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -8 °C.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

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