Daisy Tricolor produces upright, branching plants topped with brightly ringed, daisy-like flowers. The blooms appear in combinations of white, yellow, rose, red, orange and maroon around dark centres, giving them a colourful painted appearance. They look attractive in sunny pots, borders and grouped flower planting.

Native to Morocco, Daisy Tricolor is a fast-growing annual that prefers cool to mild weather. Its divided green leaves form a fresh background for the flowers, while the long stems can also be cut for small indoor arrangements.

Why Grow It

• Ringed Blooms: Contrasting bands create a bold, painted appearance.
• Varied Mix: Plants produce several attractive colour combinations.
• Cut Flowers: Long stems are suitable for small vase arrangements.
• Bee Friendly: The open flower centres attract bees to the garden.

Best Conditions

• Germination: Usually 10–21 days
• Temperature: Around 18–22°C
• Sunlight: At least 6 hours
• Pot size: 8–10-inch-wide pot for one plant
• Spacing: About 8–12 inches between plants
• Plant height: Usually around 24–36 inches
• Flower size: Approximately 3 inches
• Soil: Light, fertile and well-draining mix

In Lahore and Faisalabad, sow from September to November, or again from late January to February. In Islamabad and Rawalpindi, sow from September to October, or again from February to March after severe cold has eased. In hotter areas such as Karachi and southern Punjab, sow from October to January once the strongest summer heat has passed. In colder northern and hilly areas, start the seeds in protected trays during March or sow outside in April after the risk of hard frost has passed.

How to Sow

Daisy Tricolor can be sown directly in its final pot or flower bed, or started in a tray when the weather is unsettled.

1. Fill the final pot or tray with fine, moist seed starter mix.
2. Sow the seeds thinly and evenly over the prepared surface.
3. Cover them with around ⅛ inch of fine mix.
4. Water the surface gently using a fine spray.
5. Keep the container bright and the mix lightly moist.
6. At 2–3 pairs of true leaves, leave 8–12 inches between plants.

Plant Care

Water regularly while the seedlings are becoming established. Once the plants are stronger, water when the upper soil begins to dry. Avoid leaving the soil constantly wet because this can weaken the roots.

Pinch the main growing tip when the plant is around 6–8 inches tall to encourage more branches and flowering stems.

Mix a small amount of Vermicompost into the potting mix before sowing. Repeated feeding is usually unnecessary because overly rich soil can produce soft, leafy growth.

Daisy Tricolor generally has few pest problems. If aphids appear, spray Neem Oil on the affected foliage while avoiding open flowers.

Local Gardener Tips

• Grow several plants together for a fuller mixed-colour display.
• Place taller plants behind lower flowers so they do not block sunlight.
• Add a slim stake early when growing in exposed rooftop pots.
• Sow another small batch after 3–4 weeks for later flowers.

Flowering

Daisy Tricolor usually begins flowering around 10–14 weeks after sowing. Blooming remains strongest during sunny, mild weather.

Remove faded flowers regularly to encourage later buds. For indoor arrangements, cut stems when the flowers have opened and place them immediately in clean water.

Common names: Daisy Tricolor, Tricolor Daisy, Painted Daisy, Tricoloured Chrysanthemum, Annual Chrysanthemum, Tricoloured Ox-eye Daisy, Ismelia carinata (syn. Chrysanthemum carinatum)