Daisies: he loves me, he loves me not

What it means to give daisies

The daisy represents innocence, joy and simplicity. Its shape, a yellow center surrounded by white petals, is the flower everyone draws as a child, and that is exactly what it conveys: warmth, friendship and zero pretension. It is the perfect gift when you don’t want the bouquet to look like a declaration.

Its Spanish name, margarita, comes from the Greek margarites, pearl, because of the white of its petals. And the game of plucking it, “he loves me, he loves me not”, has been used for centuries all over Europe to settle romantic doubts.

Types of daisy

• Oxeye or field daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare): the one in meadows and wildflower bouquets.
• Common or lawn daisy (Bellis perennis): the tiny one in lawns.
• Gerbera: a big, brightly colored cousin; in Mexico it is often sold as a daisy.
• African daisy and feverfew: widely used to add volume to bouquets.

When to give daisies

The daisy has no date of its own in the calendar, but it fits many:

• Teachers’ Day: a little bunch of daisies with a note is the classic classroom gift.
• Birthdays: mixed with colorful flowers they make cheerful, inexpensive bouquets.
• Galentine’s Day and friends: no romantic weight, one hundred percent friendship.
• For yourself: a jar of daisies on the table is the perfect example of flowers for no reason.

Daisy season

• Spain: June.
• Mexico and Central America: March, April, August.
• Argentina, Chile and Uruguay: out of local season (greenhouse-grown or imported).

Field daisies are spring and summer flowers. If you live in Spain, between April and June you’ll find them in any flower shop at a very good price, and combined with wheat, lavender or sunflowers they make the wildflower bouquets so often seen on social media.

How to care for a bunch of daisies

1. Trim the stems 1 or 2 cm at an angle and remove all the leaves that would sit below the water: daisies have lots and they dirty the water fast.
2. Change the water every two days. Sooner if it looks cloudy.
3. A cool, bright spot, out of direct sun.
4. Remove spent flowers so they don’t affect the rest of the bouquet.

Tip: a recycled glass jar and a simple ribbon suit daisies better than any plastic wrapping.

What to combine them with

With blue flowers like cornflowers or nigella for a fresh bouquet; with pink roses for something romantic but relaxed; with tulips in spring; or with eucalyptus and wheat if you want a country style that lasts. If you want something even longer-lasting, many daisy varieties dry well hung upside down.

Remind me 3 days before

Download the reminder and open it with your phone’s calendar: it repeats every year and alerts you three days before, so you have time to order the bouquet.

Add to my calendar (.ics)Google Calendar ↗

Frequently asked questions

What does it mean to give daisies?

Innocence, joy, friendship and a fresh start. It is a simple, friendly gift, perfect for friends, children, teachers or yourself.

Where does “he loves me, he loves me not” come from?

It has been a popular game in Europe for centuries: you pull the petals off one by one, alternating the two phrases, and the last one decides the answer.

When is daisy season?

In Spain, from March to August. In Mexico they can be found almost all year, with more on offer in spring.

Is a gerbera a daisy?

It belongs to the same family, the daisy family (Asteraceae), and in Mexico and other Latin American countries it is often sold as a big daisy or gerbera.

What bouquet should you give a teacher?

Daisies, sunflowers or a small bouquet of seasonal flowers with a handwritten note. A small plant is also a good idea because it lasts.