Blackfoot Daisy
Melampodium leucanthum
A tough little native that produces a constant show of crisp white daisies with almost no water at all.
Hardy in USDA zones 5-11; evergreen and nearly everblooming in the low desert, cold-hardy well below freezing, and equally at home at mid-desert elevations.
AMWUA Notes
One of the most water-thrifty flowering perennials available, blooming for months on rainfall plus occasional deep soaks.
Care Guide
Extremely drought tolerant — water every 2-3 weeks in summer and rarely in winter; sharp drainage is critical, as wet feet quickly kill it.
Lightly shear the mound by a third in late winter to renew it and prevent a woody, open center; deadheading is optional since it self-cleans well.
Never fertilize; rich or amended soil causes rot and floppy growth in this lean-soil specialist.
No notable pests; the main killer is overwatering or poorly drained clay soil.
Evergreen mounding habit that blooms nearly year-round, easing off only in the deepest cold; reseeds modestly into gravel.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Lean, rocky, gravelly, or sandy alkaline soils with sharp drainage; thrives in decomposed granite; rots in rich or clay soil.
Needs sharp, fast-draining soil.
None — thrives in lean desert soil without fertilizer.
Seed; direct-sow and it reseeds modestly into gravel. Has a taproot and resents transplanting or division.
1.5–2 ft
Deep taproot makes it difficult to transplant; otherwise minimal and non-spreading.
Placement Tips
- •Perfect front-of-border and rock-garden plant — keep it at the edge where its neat 1-foot mound shows.
- •Mass in threes and fives for a tidy ribbon of white that reads all seasons.
- •Plant in gravel or decomposed granite with excellent drainage; avoid low spots that collect water.
- •Loves full sun and reflected heat along walls, walks, and hot borders.
Features
Best Uses
Ecological Value
Attracts
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
Love Blackfoot Daisy? Our landscape team sources from wholesale nurseries and can incorporate it into your design.
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Use this care guide to maintain your Blackfoot Daisy. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Blackfoot Daisy — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Blackfoot Daisy need in Phoenix?
Blackfoot Daisy is a very low-water perennial once established. Extremely drought tolerant — water every 2-3 weeks in summer and rarely in winter; sharp drainage is critical, as wet feet quickly kill it. One of the most water-thrifty flowering perennials available, blooming for months on rainfall plus occasional deep soaks.
How big does Blackfoot Daisy get?
Expect roughly 1 ft tall and 2 ft wide at maturity, with a moderate growth rate. Allow about 1.5–2 ft of spacing when planting. Deep taproot makes it difficult to transplant; otherwise minimal and non-spreading.
Can you plant Blackfoot Daisy near a pool?
Yes. Blackfoot Daisy is considered pool-friendly, meaning it stays clean enough around water features and hardscape. Litter is rated low.
Can Blackfoot Daisy handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Blackfoot Daisy is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Hardy in USDA zones 5-11; evergreen and nearly everblooming in the low desert, cold-hardy well below freezing, and equally at home at mid-desert elevations. Evergreen mounding habit that blooms nearly year-round, easing off only in the deepest cold; reseeds modestly into gravel.
Does Blackfoot Daisy have thorns?
No. Blackfoot Daisy is thornless, so it is safe alongside walkways, patios and play areas.
Is Blackfoot Daisy safe around pets?
Blackfoot Daisy is listed as pet-friendly in this guide. If your dog is a determined chewer, check any new plant with your vet before planting.
When does Blackfoot Daisy bloom in Arizona?
Blackfoot Daisy blooms in year-round, with white flowers. The bloom draws bees, butterflies.
How much maintenance does Blackfoot Daisy need?
Blackfoot Daisy is low-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated low. Lightly shear the mound by a third in late winter to renew it and prevent a woody, open center; deadheading is optional since it self-cleans well.
What kind of soil does Blackfoot Daisy need?
Lean, rocky, gravelly, or sandy alkaline soils with sharp drainage; thrives in decomposed granite; rots in rich or clay soil. It needs no supplemental feeding. Never fertilize; rich or amended soil causes rot and floppy growth in this lean-soil specialist.
Is Blackfoot Daisy native to Arizona?
Yes. Blackfoot Daisy is native to Arizona and to the Arizona to Kansas, Central Texas, Northeastern Mexico, so it is adapted to local rainfall, soil and heat.