Oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare
Oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Asteraceae family, native to Europe and temperate Asia. It grows 40–80 cm (16–31 in) tall and 30–60 cm (12–24 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -34 °C (-29 °F). Space plants about 40 cm (16 in) apart.
Plan Oxeye daisy in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Oxeye daisy at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Mature height | 40–80 cm (16–31 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Spacing | 40 cm (16 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -34 °C (-29 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 6–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: young leaves, flower buds |
| Native to | Europe and temperate Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇷🇺 Russia |
| Invasive in | US (noxious weed in several states), Australia, Canada (British Columbia): check local rules before planting |
Is Oxeye daisy toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: leaves, flowers
ASPCA lists oxeye daisy as toxic to dogs, cats and horses; vomiting and skin irritation are possible after eating it.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Oxeye daisy
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Oxeye daisy in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (50 plants)
Questions about Oxeye daisy
- How far apart should I plant Oxeye daisy?
- About 40 cm (16 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–60 cm (12–24 in).
- Does Oxeye daisy need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Oxeye daisy need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Oxeye daisy?
- It tolerates about -34 °C (-29 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Oxeye daisy flower?
- From about May for 6–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Oxeye daisy poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. ASPCA lists oxeye daisy as toxic to dogs, cats and horses; vomiting and skin irritation are possible after eating it.
- What grows well with Oxeye daisy?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Oxeye daisy. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Wildflower-meadow plant; it self-seeds and spreads by rhizomes and is a declared weed outside its native range.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
- French tarragon Artemisia dracunculus