Angelita daisy is a diminutive, grass-like perennial. Its yellow, daisy-like flowers sit atop slender stems. Here’s how to grow and care for this surprisingly hardy native wildflower.
Angelita daisy (Tetraneuris acaulis) is one of the smallest, finest perennials grown in desert landscapes, so it can come as a surprise to learn how tough it is.
Its grass-like leaves form compact tufts that eventually spread no wider than a foot across. Daisy-like flowers perch on slender, “barely-there” stems that gently sway in the breeze.
This North American wildflower has a huge native range that includes the desert southwest, but it grows as far north as Central Canada!
These plants require almost no maintenance. If the conditions are right, they occasionally reseed, but are never so prolific as to become a nuisance.
Angelita daisy provides food for seed-eating birds and nectar for native bees and butterflies.
Why I Like This Plant
- Compact, adorable evergreen perennial
- Cheerful yellow flowers all year long
- Well-behaved, doesn’t need pruning
- No thorns, low-litter, non-toxic
- Attracts bees, birds, and butterflies
Things to Watch Out For
This plant has no pests or diseases, but it can get root rot if overwatered.
When grown in very hot areas such as Phoenix, plants are relatively short-lived, lasting only 3 to 4 years.
Optimal Growing Conditions
If you’re thinking of adding an angelita daisy to your garden, you need to find a suitable place that will keep your plant healthy and looking good.
Here are the key factors to keep in mind.
Temperature
Angelita daisy should ideally be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 – 11. It tolerates desert heat and can survive temperatures upwards of 110℉, but may struggle when temperatures stay that high.
It is particularly cold hardy, surviving temperatures down to -20℉.
Sun Exposure
Angelita daisy grows best in full sun. It tolerates part shade but will have fewer flowers.
Size and Growth Rate
They are moderately fast growers and usually reach their mature size quickly — within a year or two. When fully grown, they form an attractive mound, typically 1 foot tall and wide.
Soil
Angelita daisy will grow in any desert soil, as long as it’s well-draining, but it prefers sandy or rocky soil.
Other Location Considerations
Angelita daisies have no thorns, stickers, or irritating hairs. Because they are “unarmed,” non-toxic, and litter-free, you can feel comfortable placing them near a pool, sidewalk, or anywhere they might come in contact with pets and people.
Since plants are small, they look best when planted in small groups of at least 3.
They provide a nice contrast to boulders and spiky desert plants and look great in rock gardens, wildflower gardens, or as an edging plant. They can also be grown in containers.
Angelita Daisy:
The Essentials
| Common Name | Angelita daisy |
| Scientific Name | Tetraneuris acaulis |
| Origin | Western US, Mexico, Canada |
| Plant Type | Perennial |
| USDA Zones | Zones 7 – 11 |
| Cold Hardiness | To -20℉ |
| Flower Color | Yellow |
| Flower Season | All year |
| Mature Size | 1′ high x 1’ wide |
| Growth Rate | Moderate to fast |
| Sun Tolerance | Full, reflected sun |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Pests & Diseases | Root rot if overwatered |
| Garden Friendly | No thorns, low litter, non-toxic |
| Wildlife | Attracts bees, birds, butterflies Rabbit resistant |
How to Plant
The rule of thumb when planting any perennial in the desert is to dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper. Amending the soil is not recommended. Counterintuitively, backfilling with the same native soil you just dug up helps your plant develop a stronger root system.
When to Plant
The best time to plant Angelita daisies is in the fall. This gives them three seasons to grow roots and get established before the following summer.
The second best time is in spring, the earlier the better. This still gives your plant time to get established before the intense heat of June arrives.
How to Care for Angelita Daisy
Whether you’ve recently planted an Angelita daisy or have an existing one in your yard, here’s how to take care of it to keep it healthy and looking its best.
How to Water
Immediately after planting, give your plant about 1/2 gallon every 2 or 3 days for the first two to four weeks. Then gradually reduce watering and get it on this recommended watering schedule:
| Spring (March – May) | 10 – 14 days |
| Summer (May – Oct.) | 7 – 10 days |
| Fall (Oct. – Dec.) | 10 – 14 days |
| Winter (Dec – March) | 14 – 21 days |
Be careful not to overwater. Angelita daisy can develop root rot if overwatered.
Should You Fertilize?
Angelita daisy does not need to be fertilized, but the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum suggests fertilizing twice per year for best performance.
How to Prune
No pruning is necessary for this small, well-behaved plant. But deadheading spent flowers encourages continuous flowering and keeps it looking tidy.
Plant Lover Facts
Angelita daisy (Tetraneuris acaulis) also goes by the common names stemless four-nerve daisy, stemless hymenoxys, butte marigold, and stemless rubberweed. You might also see this plant referred to by its previous scientific name, Hymenoxys acaulis. The species name, acaulis, means “stemless.”
Angelita daisy has a huge natural range that includes northern Mexico, all US states west of the Mississippi (except for Washington and Oregon), and the Canadian territories of Alberta and Saskatchewan.
The Hopi used this plant to make a stimulating tea and to treat certain ailments during pregnancy.
Have you grown this plant?
Was it a “hit” or a “miss” in your garden?
Please share your experience in the comments below!
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Author Bio
Deane Alban is the creator of Southwest Gardener. She is a science writer with a bachelor’s degree in botany from the University of South Florida. Gardening is her lifelong passion. She’s been gardening in Tucson for 15 years.
Photo Credits
Steve Matson, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Curtis Clark, CC BY-SA 2.5, Wikimedia Commons