Daisies Spread Two Ways at Once
Those innocent-looking flowers scatter seeds everywhere while spreading underground runners that form dense mats. Mowing just keeps them tidy – it won’t stop them taking over. A lawn treatment that feeds your grass while killing broadleaf weeds tackles both problems at once.
The common daisy is probably the most recognisable lawn weed in the UK. Those cheerful white flowers with yellow centres might trigger memories of making daisy chains as a child, but for gardeners trying to maintain a pristine lawn, they’re a persistent nuisance that seems impossible to eliminate.
Daisies are native British wildflowers that have adapted perfectly to life in mown grass. Unlike taller weeds that get cut down by the mower, daisies grow as low rosettes that sit beneath the blade height. You can mow over them all summer and they’ll keep flowering regardless.
Why Daisies Take Over Lawns
Daisies spread through two methods simultaneously, which explains why they’re so successful at colonising lawns. Above ground, each flower produces seeds that scatter across your grass. Below ground, short underground runners called rhizomes spread outwards from established plants, creating new rosettes as they go.
This dual attack means that even if you remove every visible daisy, dormant seeds in the soil will germinate and any rhizome fragments left behind will regrow. The plants form dense mats of foliage that gradually smother the surrounding grass, creating bare patches where even more daisy seeds can establish.
Daisies thrive in conditions that stress lawn grass. Compacted soil, low fertility, and cutting the grass too short all favour daisies over turf. They’re remarkably tough plants that can grow in almost any soil type, including the poor, compacted ground that lawn grass struggles in. The same conditions that encourage daisies also favour other broadleaf weeds like dandelions and plantain.
Manual Removal Methods
For small numbers of daisies, manual removal is effective and satisfying. The key is removing the entire plant including its roots and any attached runners.
A daisy grubber is the ideal tool. This is a long, narrow fork with two prongs designed to lever out tap-rooted weeds. Push the prongs into the soil either side of the daisy, rock it back and forth to loosen the roots, then lever the whole plant out. Work from multiple angles to avoid snapping the roots.
If you don’t have a daisy grubber, an old kitchen knife works almost as well. Push the blade into the soil at an angle beneath the daisy, then lever upwards to pop it out. A narrow trowel can also work, though it disturbs more soil.
After removing daisies by hand, fill any holes with a pinch of grass seed mixed with compost. This prevents bare soil from becoming a germination site for more weed seeds.
Manual removal becomes impractical once daisies have spread across a large area. If you’re looking at hundreds of plants, you’ll spend entire weekends on your knees and still not make a lasting dent in the population.
Using Lawn Weedkillers
For established daisy infestations, a selective lawn weedkiller is the most effective solution. These products contain herbicides that kill broadleaf weeds like daisies while leaving grass unharmed.
Look for products containing 2,4-D or dicamba, which are particularly effective against daisies and other members of the daisy family. Feed-and-weed products combine weedkiller with lawn fertiliser, which strengthens your grass while eliminating the competition. If you also have clover or other lawn weeds, the same treatment will tackle those too.
Apply lawn weedkiller between April and September when daisies are actively growing. The leaves need to absorb the herbicide and transport it down to the roots, which only happens when the plant is photosynthesising. Avoid treating during drought, frost, or when rain is forecast within six hours.
For spot treatment of scattered daisies, use a ready-to-use spray and target individual plants. For heavy infestations covering large areas, a concentrate diluted in a watering can or sprayer gives better coverage and works out more economical.
You may need two applications, four to six weeks apart, to kill all the daisies completely. The first treatment weakens them, and the second finishes off any survivors and any new plants that germinated from seed after the first application.
Preventing Daisies From Returning
Killing existing daisies is only half the battle. To stop them coming back, you need to create conditions that favour grass over weeds.
Feed your lawn in spring and autumn with a quality lawn fertiliser. Well-fed grass grows thick and dense, leaving no gaps for daisy seeds to establish. A spring lawn treatment that combines feed with weedkiller tackles both jobs in one application.
Raise your mowing height. Cutting grass too short weakens it and exposes the soil surface where weed seeds germinate. Keep your mower blade at 3-4cm during spring and autumn, raising it to 4-5cm during summer dry spells.
Aerate compacted areas by pushing a garden fork into the soil at regular intervals or using a hollow-tine aerator. Daisies love compacted soil, so relieving compaction gives grass the advantage.
Overseed any bare patches promptly. Exposed soil is an invitation for daisy seeds to move in. Scatter grass seed over bare areas in spring or autumn and keep them watered until the new grass establishes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will mowing get rid of daisies?
No. Daisies grow as low rosettes that sit below typical mowing height. Regular mowing keeps them tidy but won’t eliminate them or stop them spreading.
Are daisies bad for my lawn?
Yes, if left unchecked. Daisies form dense mats that smother grass, creating bare patches. They compete with grass for water and nutrients, weakening your lawn over time.
When is the best time to kill daisies?
Apply lawn weedkiller between April and September when daisies are actively growing. Avoid treating during drought, frost, or when rain is expected within six hours.
Do daisies come back after weedkiller?
They can, from seeds already in the soil. That’s why improving lawn health is essential – thick, well-fed grass prevents new daisies from establishing even if seeds are present.
Can I dig out daisies instead of using chemicals?
Yes, for small numbers. Use a daisy grubber or old knife to lever out whole plants including roots. This becomes impractical for heavy infestations covering large areas.
Tired of daisies spoiling your lawn? A combined feed and weed treatment kills daisies while giving your grass the nutrients it needs to fill in the gaps and resist future invasion. For severely infested lawns, glyphosate kills everything before reseeding. For more lawn weed advice, see our guides to buttercup and cat’s ear.
