Blackfoot daisy (Melampodium leucanthum): planting & care

Melampodium leucanthum: Melampodium leucanthum

Blackfoot daisy makes a small rounded mound of grey-green leaves with white daisy flowers that continue through the warmer season.

Height: 15–31 cm / 0.5–1 ft
Spread: 30–61 cm / 1–2 ft
Light: Full sun
Soil moisture: Dry / Moist, well-drained
Flowering: Fall, Spring, Summer
Maintenance: Low
USDA zones: 4a–11b

Check what suits your garden

Planting

Use full sun and lean soil with excellent drainage. A rock garden or dry border suits its low growth; rich soil and abundant watering can shorten its lifespan.

Care

Cut back by half in late winter to keep the plant compact. Deadheading is optional for flowering but helps limit seedlings; its taproot makes division unsuitable.

Before planting: Hot, humid conditions can encourage powdery mildew.

A landscaping crew planting and finishing a garden

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Sources & photo credit

Plant reference: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Content checked 17 October 2026. Flowering seasons vary with local climate; USDA zones describe winter cold tolerance.

Blackfoot daisy: · CC0. Resized, converted to WebP and cropped for display.
'Butterfly Blue' pincushion: Cathy DeWitt · CC BY 4.0. Resized, converted to WebP and cropped for display.
'Dilys' geranium: Krzysztof Golik · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized, converted to WebP and cropped for display.
'Fireball' hibiscus: Cathy DeWitt · CC BY 4.0. Resized, converted to WebP and cropped for display.

Blackfoot daisy