Daisies are a common name for a vast group of flowering plants within the Asteraceae family, also known as the composite or sunflower family. This family contains thousands of species across the globe. Because the term “daisy” covers such a broad range of plants, the number of times a plant blooms each year depends heavily on the specific variety and growing conditions. The plant’s life cycle—whether it is an annual, a perennial, or a biennial—is the primary factor determining its flowering frequency.
The Typical Blooming Cycle
For many recognizable garden varieties, such as the perennial Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum), the natural blooming cycle is a single flush of flowers. This primary flowering event typically begins in late spring or early summer, around June, once the plant has stored enough energy. The initial display of flowers is robust and lasts for an extended period.
The unassisted bloom period for a mature perennial daisy commonly spans six to eight weeks. After this time, the plant shifts its energy toward developing seeds within the spent flower heads. This signals the completion of the reproductive cycle, and the impulse to produce new flowers diminishes. Without intervention, the daisy settles into vegetative growth for the remainder of the warm season.
Extending the Bloom Period Through Maintenance
Gardeners can alter this natural cycle to encourage the plant to bloom more often throughout the summer and into the fall. This is achieved through “deadheading,” which involves physically removing the faded flowers. Deadheading works by interrupting the plant’s reproductive process, specifically preventing seed formation.
Removing spent blossoms causes the plant to redirect energy back into creating new flower buds. This stimulates a secondary or continuous flush of blooms on the lateral side shoots. By regularly deadheading, the bloom period for perennial daisies can be extended from early summer potentially through September. This prolonged effort requires consistent moisture and occasional balanced fertilizer to fuel continuous flower production.
Bloom Differences by Daisy Type
The overall frequency of blooming is tied to the plant’s lifespan classification. Perennial daisies, like the Shasta daisy, return year after year, offering a strong initial display that requires maintenance for subsequent rebloom.
In contrast, annual daisies, such as the Gerbera daisy, complete their entire life cycle within a single growing season. Because their survival depends on rapid reproduction, they bloom continuously from planting until the first hard frost. This constant flowering does not require intervention to encourage rebloom.
Biennial varieties, including the English daisy (Bellis perennis), follow a two-year pattern. They spend their first year growing leaves and roots, and only produce flowers and seeds during their second year before dying.