Shasta daisies tick all the boxes! They’re perennial, attract pollinators, and are edible and healthy. 

Shasta daisies are big, bold, and white, making a summer splash in the perennial garden. Blooming from early summer to fall, some varieties can grow up to 1.5 meters tall and wide. Shasta daisies adapt well to being grown in a container or a garden bed but are happiest in full sun and well-draining soil. They are hardy to climate zone 5 (-20°C) as long as they have a nice blanket of compost and mulch to keep their roots cozy. 

How to Grow Shasta Daisies

If you already have Shasta daisies growing in the garden, spring is the time to divide them. Gently loosen the soil around the plant and lift it out of the ground. Cut through the roots to create new plants and replant. Ensure that both the original plant and the new divisions are watered regularly until you see signs of new growth. 

Shasta daisies can also be started from seeds outdoors in late spring or indoors three to six weeks before the last frost day for your area. Once germinated, thin out the seedlings, keeping only the strongest and healthiest.

Shasta daisies are a tough plant, but root rot is its kryptonite. Humid conditions and too much water can cause stems to wilt and die. Ensuring the soil or container the plant is in is well-draining and porous will help mitigate the problem. 

Eating Shasta Daisies

You can eat Shasta daisy petals raw or cooked. Use them raw to garnish a salad or as a topping for desserts. When cooked, they add flavor to soups, stir-fries, and casseroles. The petals, like all parts of the plant, are high in antioxidants, vitamins A and C, and potassium.

The leaves of the Shasta daisy have a mild flavor that is great in salads or on sandwiches. When cooked, interchange them for any vegetable in soups, stir-fries, and casseroles. One of the best ways to experience the essence of a Shasta daisy is to make tea. Steep a few petals in hot water for several minutes, then strain. This yields a mild, slightly sweet tea that can be enjoyed hot or cold.

The Best Shasta Daisies for the Edimental Garden

Shasta daisies (Leucanthemum x superbum) are a popular perennial and can be found in many garden centers. If you plan to grow Shasta daisies as an edible, there are a few things to look out for when selecting a plant. Make sure the daisy has not been exposed to pesticides, herbicides, or other harsh chemicals. Sometimes, garden centers add fertilizer to the plants they sell to encourage them to bloom and last longer. Check this out before buying a Shasta daisy as an edimental plant. 

Select plants with strong, vibrant petals and leaves that are not wilted or discolored. Before harvesting, ensure you are 100% certain you are harvesting a Shasta daisy. Do research and check with a foraging expert. If in doubt, admire the plant from afar, not on your dinner plate. 

It is important to note that Shasta daisies can cause an allergic reaction in some people. If you are allergic to daisies, chrysanthemums, or other similar flowers, don’t eat this plant!