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Mini-Marguerite (Leucanthemum paludosum), whole plant
  • Mini-Marguerite — close-up of leaves and flowers
  • Mini-Marguerite — seasonal appearance
  • Mini-Marguerite in a garden setting

Mini-Marguerite

Leucanthemum paludosum

Easy · Beginner friendly

About Mini-Marguerite

Creeping Daisy is a compact southern European annual or short-lived perennial forming low mounds of bright golden-yellow daisy flowers over glossy green foliage. Growing 6 to 10 inches tall, it blooms continuously from spring through summer in cooler climates, extending its season in American coastal and mountain gardens. A cheerful small-scale filler for paths, containers, and rock gardens.

  • Drought-tolerant
  • Deer-resistant
  • Long-blooming
WATER
Regular
Top inch dry
LIGHT
Full sun
6+ hrs direct
HARDY
Hardy to 20°F (-7°C)
USDA hardiness zones 9–11

How to care for Mini-Marguerite

Watering

  • Springevery 4 days
  • Summerevery 3 days
  • Fallevery 5 days
  • Winterevery 7 days

Soil · Well-draining

  • Top dressingPine bark mulch10%
  • Main mixPotting soil + perlite 2:170%
  • DrainageLECA / gravel20%

Never skip the drainage layer — standing water is the top cause of root rot.

FERTILIZER

Balanced Feed 14-14-14

An even feed covers all three needs at once, keeping leaves, roots and blooms moving together with nothing pushed out of balance.

N33%P33%K33%
  • Nitrogen · Leaves
  • Phosphorus · Roots + Blooms
  • Potassium · Strength
  • Springevery 21 days
  • Summerevery 21 days
  • Fallevery 21 days
Get watering reminders for Mini-Marguerite — free on iPhoneDownload on the App Store

At a Glance

  • NativeMediterranean, Africa
  • Height0.5–1 ft (0.2–0.3 m)
  • Spread0.5–1 ft (0.2–0.3 m)
  • Flower colorWhite, Yellow
  • Foliage colorGreen
  • SoilLoamy, Well-drained
  • LocationsYard · Balcony

Bloom time

BLOOM CYCLE

Peak bloom

Mar–Aug

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Golden-yellow daisies continuous spring through summer

Fragrance

LIGHT FRAGRANCE

Foliage has a light green, herbaceous scent when crushed.

Toxicity

Toxicity unknown

None reported

Unknown

EXPOSURE Unspecified plant material.

EFFECT Toxic effects are not specified.

NOTE Toxicity for humans is not well documented; use caution until verified.

Unknown

EXPOSURE Unspecified plant material.

EFFECT Toxic effects are not specified.

NOTE Toxicity for dogs is not well documented; use caution until verified.

Unknown

EXPOSURE Unspecified plant material.

EFFECT Toxic effects are not specified.

NOTE Toxicity for cats is not well documented; use caution until verified.

Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.

DISTRIBUTION

Mini-Marguerite · Native
  • Native
  • Introduced
  • Mediterranean
  • Africa

History

Illustrated historical scene for Mini-Marguerite

Leucanthemum paludosum, commonly called snowland daisy, snow daisy, or Mini Marguerite, is a small compact annual in the daisy family native to seasonally wet meadows and coastal lowlands of the western Mediterranean, particularly Portugal, Spain, and Morocco. French botanist Jean Louis Marie Poiret described the species in 1808. Taxonomists placed it variously in Chrysanthemum, Matricaria, Mauranthemum, and most recently Leucanthemum; nursery trade labels still use several names interchangeably.

The plant forms tidy 20 to 25 centimeter mounds covered in small white daisy flowers with golden yellow centers over much of the growing season. German and American bedding programs introduced the species widely in the 1980s with cultivars such as Show Star.

Snowland daisy prefers cool weather and tolerates light frost. Native to southern Spain and northwest Africa, introduced to American seed catalogs in the 20th century. The 'Butter Daisy' cultivar became a popular compact flowering annual for US patios and small-space gardens in cooler regions.

Symbolism & meaning

What It Symbolizes

Mini-marguerite is simple happiness condensed into a small pot — constant cheerful gold daisies opening from spring through summer with almost no pause. Its scale is its second virtue: small-scale joy, suited for window boxes, container plantings, and the smallest urban balcony. Some flowers earn their place by drama; this one earns it by persistent, modest, daily good cheer.

  • Simple happiness — constant cheerful gold blooms
  • Small-scale joy — compact for tiny gardens and pots

Where the Name Comes From

'Leucanthemum' from Greek 'leukos-anthemon' means white flower; 'paludosum' from Latin means marsh-loving, though it tolerates dry conditions too.

Uses & Fun Facts

  • Compact mounding daisy carpets sunny edges and rock garden gaps
  • Floriferous Mini-Marguerite ideal for cool-season patio containers
  • Small white daisies attract hoverflies and native solitary bees

Related plants

More Leucanthemum plants

Plants with similar care

Frequently asked questions

How often should I water Mini-Marguerite?

In summer, water about every 3 days; in winter, about every 7 days. Adjust for heat, pot size and drainage.

How much light does Mini-Marguerite need?

Full sun: 6+ hrs direct. Watch the leaves — scorching or stretching means the light needs adjusting.

Is Mini-Marguerite toxic to cats or dogs?

Pets Unknown (Dogs Unknown · Cats Unknown) Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.

Is Mini-Marguerite easy to grow?

Yes — it is considered an easy, beginner-friendly plant.

When does Mini-Marguerite bloom?

It typically blooms Mar–Aug in the Northern Hemisphere.

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