Painted daisies (*Tanacetum coccineum*) are a daisy-like flower within the *Asteraceae* family, or the aster family. Painted daisies are also called pyrethrum, Persian pellitory, or Persian insect flower because they’re insect-repellant. These perennial flowers feature a yellow center surrounded by white, red, magenta, and marigold-colored petals. Painted daisies typically grow three inches across and up to three feet tall, with a bloom time from late spring to late summer.
Whether you are planting painted daisies from seeds or cuttings, space the plants eighteen to twenty-four inches apart. There are three ways to add painted daisies to your garden:

1. __Plant seeds indoors before the last frost__. You can start the painted daisy seeds indoors in a potting mix four to six weeks before the last <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-determine-frost-dates-for-gardening-your-region' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-determine-frost-dates-for-gardening-your-region","linkCopy":"frost date","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>frost date</a>. Make sure the plants get indirect sunlight indoors. Once germination has occurred, move the plants outside in the springtime when the danger of frost is past.
2. __Directly sow the seeds in the garden__. Sow the seeds in your garden in the early spring. Choose a sunny location with fertile soil, and cover the seeds lightly with soil. Water once a week, and seedlings should sprout in two to three weeks. 
3. __Transfer young painted daisy plants to your garden__. You can also purchase young plants at a garden center and then transfer them to your garden bed.
Like most [daisy varieties](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/daisy-care-guide), painted daisy plants are low-maintenance. Follow these tips to best care for your plants:

1. __Place painted daisies in full sun__. In hotter Southern climates, make sure the plants get part shade in the afternoon so they don’t burn.
2. __Water the daisies once a week__. The soil should be kept moist but not soggy. Painted daisies are drought-tolerant, so it's better to underwater than to overwater.
3. __Overwinter your painted daisies__. After the first frost, cut back the leaves and cover the roots with one to two inches of mulch to keep the roots warm. In the spring, remove the mulch until the root crown is exposed. 
4. __Prune and deadhead the daisies to promote growth__. When the plants are six to eight inches tall, pinch back the top by cutting off no more than an inch. Pruning will encourage the growth of side branches and flower buds. Stop pinching when the plants reach your desired height. [Deadhead](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-deadhead-flowers-in-your-garden) spent blooms to encourage more growth.
5. __Protect your daisies from pests__. Painted daisies are deer-resistant but attract aphids and leaf miners. You can control these pests with a natural insecticide like neem oil. 
6. __Propagate painted daisies from stem cuttings or division__. Dip a cut piece of the stem into rooting hormone, then place it in a potting mix. You can also divide the plants when they are at least a year old and mature. Simply dig up the entire plant, divide it into three to four sections with root systems attached, and replant the bunches at least two inches apart. 
Grow your own garden with Ron Finley, the self-described "Gangster Gardener." Get the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com/) and learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep your house plants alive, and use compost to make your community—and the world—a better place.
Painted daisies attract pollinators to your garden and are a natural insect repellent, making them excellent companion flowers in vegetable gardens.

Painted daisies attract pollinators to your garden and are a natural insect repellent, making them excellent companion flowers in vegetable gardens.

Painted Daisies Care Guide: How to Grow Painted Daisies

Painted daisies (Tanacetum coccineum) are a daisy-like flower within the Asteraceae family, or the aster family. Painted daisies are also called pyrethrum, Persian pellitory, or Persian insect flower because they’re insect-repellant. These perennial flowers feature a yellow center surrounded by white, red, magenta, and marigold-colored petals. Painted daisies typically grow three inches across and up to three feet tall, with a bloom time from late spring to late summer.

What Are Painted Daisies?

Whether you are planting painted daisies from seeds or cuttings, space the plants eighteen to twenty-four inches apart. There are three ways to add painted daisies to your garden:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Plant seeds indoors before the last frost. You can start the painted daisy seeds indoors in a potting mix four to six weeks before the last <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-determine-frost-dates-for-gardening-your-region' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-determine-frost-dates-for-gardening-your-region","linkCopy":"frost date","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>frost date</a>. Make sure the plants get indirect sunlight indoors. Once germination has occurred, move the plants outside in the springtime when the danger of frost is past. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Directly sow the seeds in the garden. Sow the seeds in your garden in the early spring. Choose a sunny location with fertile soil, and cover the seeds lightly with soil. Water once a week, and seedlings should sprout in two to three weeks. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Transfer young painted daisy plants to your garden. You can also purchase young plants at a garden center and then transfer them to your garden bed. </li></ol>

3 Ways to Plant Painted Daisies

Like most <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/daisy-care-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/daisy-care-guide","linkCopy":"daisy varieties","category":null}'>daisy varieties</a>, painted daisy plants are low-maintenance. Follow these tips to best care for your plants:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Place painted daisies in full sun. In hotter Southern climates, make sure the plants get part shade in the afternoon so they don’t burn. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Water the daisies once a week. The soil should be kept moist but not soggy. Painted daisies are drought-tolerant, so it&#39;s better to underwater than to overwater. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Overwinter your painted daisies. After the first frost, cut back the leaves and cover the roots with one to two inches of mulch to keep the roots warm. In the spring, remove the mulch until the root crown is exposed. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Prune and deadhead the daisies to promote growth. When the plants are six to eight inches tall, pinch back the top by cutting off no more than an inch. Pruning will encourage the growth of side branches and flower buds. Stop pinching when the plants reach your desired height. <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-deadhead-flowers-in-your-garden' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-deadhead-flowers-in-your-garden","linkCopy":"Deadhead","category":null}'>Deadhead</a> spent blooms to encourage more growth. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Protect your daisies from pests. Painted daisies are deer-resistant but attract aphids and leaf miners. You can control these pests with a natural insecticide like neem oil. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 6. Propagate painted daisies from stem cuttings or division. Dip a cut piece of the stem into rooting hormone, then place it in a potting mix. You can also divide the plants when they are at least a year old and mature. Simply dig up the entire plant, divide it into three to four sections with root systems attached, and replant the bunches at least two inches apart. </li></ol>

6 Painted Daisy Care Tips

Grow your own garden with Ron Finley, the self-described &quot;Gangster Gardener.&quot; Get the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a> and learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep your house plants alive, and use compost to make your community—and the world—a better place.

Learn More

Painted daisies attract pollinators to your garden and are a natural insect repellent, making them excellent companion flowers in vegetable gardens.

Painted daisies attract pollinators to your garden and are a natural insect repellent, making them excellent companion flowers in vegetable gardens.
