Bellis sylvestris aka Southern Daisy

Taxonomy

Bellis sylvestris, also known as the Southern daisy, is a perennial plant belonging to the genus Bellis. It is native to central and southern Europe, the Middle East, and north Africa, and can grow up to six inches tall. The plant has creeping roots and large dark green leaves with several conspicuous veins. It produces an inflorescence in autumn containing white external flowers and yellow central flowers, which eventually develop into a fruit called an achene. The name sylvestris comes from the Latin word silvestris, meaning "living in the woods". Bellis sylvestris is a rare houseplant that requires regular watering and thrives in direct light less than a foot away from a window. It prefers well-draining soil and can benefit from gentle, organic fertilizer during peak growing season.

Common names

Southern Daisy, Garden Daisy

How to care for Southern Daisy

Difficulty

With its straightforward care requirements, Southern Daisy is a hassle-free plant that anyone can enjoy.

Water

Southern Daisy should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Southern Daisy loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Southern Daisy thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Garden Daisy.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it is common for Southern Daisy plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.


More info:
Wikipedia