butter daisy (Melampodium) · Asked on Facebook · 5 November 2026
What is this bushy plant with many small yellow daisy‑like flowers?
This looks like a Butter Daisy (Melampodium), a compact, sun‑loving annual with lots of small yellow daisy‑like flowers. Plant it in a sunny spot with well‑draining soil and it will bloom for months with minimal care.
The question
“I know, just plant it, but I don't know the name.”
What's likely going on
The plant in the photo is almost certainly Butter Daisy (genus Melampodium), sometimes sold as Million Gold or just “yellow daisy”. It forms a neat, bushy mound with lots of small, bright yellow, daisy‑shaped flowers held above glossy green leaves.
It’s usually grown as an annual or short‑lived perennial in warm climates and is popular in pots and borders because it blooms almost nonstop in sun.
What to do
Choose a sunny spot
Butter Daisy flowers best in full sun (at least 4–6 hours of direct light). It can tolerate light shade but will give fewer blooms.Use well‑draining soil
Plant it in garden beds or pots with loose, well‑draining soil. In containers, use any good potting mix and make sure the pot has drainage holes.Water regularly, but don’t keep it soggy
Water when the top of the soil feels dry. Aim for moist, not waterlogged soil—constant wetness can rot the roots.Feed lightly
Every 4–6 weeks during the growing season, give a mild balanced fertilizer or compost. Too much fertilizer makes more leaves and fewer flowers.Deadhead if needed
It often cleans itself, but pinching off spent flowers keeps the plant tidy and can encourage even more blooming.
How to prevent it
- Don’t overwater or let the pot sit in a tray of standing water.
- Avoid heavy shade if you want dense flowering.
- Refresh container soil each season if you grow it as an annual.
When to worry
- Leaves yellowing from the bottom up with soggy soil: likely overwatering or poor drainage—improve drainage and let the soil dry a bit between waterings.
- Wilting in strong sun even with moist soil: check roots for rot or pests in the soil.
- Powdery white coating on leaves: move to a spot with better air flow and avoid wetting the foliage in the evening.
Otherwise, Butter Daisy is tough and forgiving—once planted in a sunny, well‑drained spot, it usually thrives with very little fuss.
Answered by the GrowPls assistant. Every plant and room is different; if things don't improve, a clear close-up photo of the affected part is the fastest way to a better answer.
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