Also known as Daisy Bush · 9 saves
Olearia
Olearia, the genus most gardeners know as daisy bush. We track 5 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 5 most-saved Olearia varieties
5 species of Olearia
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Olearia in Sow
Save the Olearia you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Olearia
Whats common across all Olearia varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 5 most-grown of them.
The Olearia year
- PruneMarch, June and July100% of varieties
Tip-prune lightly after flowering to maintain a dense, bushy shape.
- Check for PestsJune–August100% of varieties
Inspect the sticky foliage for aphids, spider mites, or signs of powdery mildew.
- FertilizeMarch and April80% of varieties
Apply a low-phosphorus or balanced native slow-release fertilizer sparingly if grown in poor soil.
- MulchApril and October80% of varieties
Apply a thin layer of gravel or coarse, inorganic mulch to keep the root zone dry.
- PropagateAugust40% of varieties
Take semi-hardwood cuttings from the current season's growth.
Do
- Plant in sandy, gravelly, or limestone-derived soils that drain rapidly.
- Provide full sun to maintain a tight, bushy growth habit.
- Tip-prune lightly after flowering to encourage dense foliage.
- Grow in full, unshaded sun to maintain a compact, bushy habit.
- Ensure the soil is exceptionally well-drained, especially during wet winter months.
Avoid
- Do not plant in heavy clay or poorly drained, waterlogged soils.
- Do not prune hard back into old, bare, leafless wood.
- Do not over-water or use heavy, phosphorus-rich fertilizers.
- Do not plant in heavy clay, waterlogged soils, or low-lying areas that collect water.
What goes wrong with Olearia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on the undersides of leaves and stippled, yellowing foliage. | Increase air circulation and spray the foliage with a strong blast of water or insecticidal soap. |
| Aphids | Clusters of small, soft-bodied insects on tender new growth and sticky honeydew. | Wash them off with a sharp stream of water or apply horticultural oil. |
| Japanese beetles | Skeletonized leaves and chewed foliage during mid-summer. | Hand-pick beetles into soapy water or apply an appropriate organic pesticide if infestation is severe. |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing on the undersides of leaves and stippled, yellowing foliage in hot, dry weather. | Increase humidity around the foliage and spray with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. |
| Root rot | Sudden wilting, yellowing leaves, and a decaying root system in wet soil. | Ensure sharp soil drainage, avoid over-watering, and discard severely infected plants. |
| Powdery mildew | White, powdery fungal patches on leaves in humid, stagnant conditions. | Space plants to maximize air circulation and prune to open up the canopy. |
| Root Rot | Sudden wilting, yellowing foliage, and dieback of branches, caused by Phytophthora or Pythium in wet soils. | Improve soil drainage immediately and reduce watering; discard severely infected plants as there is no cure. |
Making more Olearia
Semi-hardwood cuttings
- Take three- to four-inch cuttings of semi-ripe wood in late summer.
- Remove the lower leaves and dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
- Insert into a well-draining mix of perlite and peat.
- Keep warm and humid until roots establish, then pot up.
Olearia questions
How many types of Olearia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 5 distinct Olearia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 9 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Olearia grow in?
Across its varieties, Olearia covers USDA Zones 8–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Olearia bloom?
Most Olearia varieties bloom in spring, late spring, winter. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Olearia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.