Some gardeners believe that the Latin name for oxeye daisy, Leucanthemum vulgare, fits the flower. In fact, the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board describes it as an invasive weed. Others, however, disagree. The Illinois Wildflowers website considers this classic daisy to be a desirable addition to a flower garden. If you agree with the latter group, you can winterize oxeye daisy by protecting it in an outdoor garden or bringing it inside during the winter.
Bring Daisies in for the Winter
Dig up your daisies several weeks before the first frost date to transplant them to containers. USA Gardener has a chart that shows first and last frost dates for areas around the country.
Select a container that is larger than the daisies' root ball. Make sure it has adequate drainage holes and a saucer to catch the overflow when the plant is watered. Fill the container half full with sterile potting soil.
Dig up a daisy that is healthy and disease-free, making sure not to damage the roots. Place the plant in the container and fill with the potting soil. Tamp the soil down gently.
Place the pot with the daisies in a sunny location that stays between 55 and 75 degrees all winter. Water the soil thoroughly, until water comes out of the bottom of the pot. After that, allow the soil to dry some before watering again.
Mist the daisy leaves with water about once a week if the humidity in the house is low. Do not fertilize the flowers during the winter.
Replant the daisies after the last freeze date in the spring.
Winterizing Oxeye Daisies Outdoors
Leave the daisies in the ground during the winter in U.S. zones 7 to 10. Flowers in zones 9 and 10 survive average winters, but flowers in zones 7 and 8 will need additional protection from winter temperatures and snow.
Prune the daisies before the first freeze in all zones. Cut the flower stems to the ground. In zones 9 and 10, use a plant marker to indicate the location of the flower to prevent accidentally disturbing them in the spring.
Cover the garden over the daisies with a 2-inch layer of mulch or decaying leaves to enrich the soil, help it retain moisture and warmth and protect the daisies. If your area receives heavy snows, cover the tops of the daisies with a layer of clean straw.
Water the daisies when the temperature is above 40 degrees and the soil is dry. Remove the straw, water thoroughly and cover again with the straw. Direct the water toward the roots of the plant and avoid getting the leaves wet.
About this Author
After attending Hardin Simmons University, Kay Dean finished her formal education with the Institute of Children's Literature. Since 1995, Dean has written for such publications as "PB&J," Disney’s "Family Fun," "ParentLife," "Living With Teenagers" and Thomas Nelson’s NY Times bestselling "Resolve." An avid gardener for 25 years, her experience includes organic food gardening, ornamental plants, shrubs and trees, with a special love for roses.