Permascaping, by Homegrown Foods
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Golden daisy flowers covering a compact damianita mound

Native & adapted

Damianita

Chrysactinia mexicana

Also known as Damianita daisy

A compact, aromatic mound covered in yellow daisies, widely used in Southwestern specialty landscapes for strong color with little water.

Southwest adaptedPollinatorVery low waterCold hardy
Landscape layersGround cover
Mature size1–2 ft. tall × 1–2 ft. wide
Climate fitUrban core · USDA 9b–10a · Valley suburbs · USDA 9a–9b · Desert outskirts · USDA 8b–9b · High desert · USDA 6a–8b
Special categoriesPOLLINATOR ATTRACTING
Hardiness guidanceUSDA zones 7–11 with excellent drainage

Before you plant

These conditions determine whether it will thrive.

Cold hardinessHardy here

Hardy to about 0°F. Never needs frost protection.

Heat toleranceTakes full sun and heat

Takes full and reflected sun. A good fit for the hottest west-facing spots, with sharp drainage.

Sources: amwua.org

Right plant, right place

Will Damianita grow at your Arizona property?

Good for low borders, gravel gardens, and reflected-heat sites. It is native to parts of the Southwest and northern Mexico rather than the central Sonoran Desert itself.

Best regional fit: Urban core · USDA 9b–10a, Valley suburbs · USDA 9a–9b, Desert outskirts · USDA 8b–9b, High desert · USDA 6a–8b.

Light

Sun exposure

Full sun.

Water

Irrigation

Very low after establishment. Excess water and rich soil make plants floppy and short-lived.

Planting & stewardship

How to help Damianita thrive

  1. 1

    Plant in lean, sharply drained soil and avoid frequent fertilizer.

  2. 2

    Water deeply through establishment, then only when the root zone has dried.

  3. 3

    Shear lightly after a bloom cycle to preserve a compact mound.

  4. 4

    Replace individual plants as needed rather than forcing old woody crowns with heavy pruning.

Read the horticultural reference ↗

Keep exploring

More plants for this system