Flowers and Plants
Gardening Guides
This Daisylike Ground Cover Brings Natural Beauty to Dry Gardens
Drought-tolerant Latin American fleabane adds carefree style to containers, perennial beds and rock gardens
Latin American fleabane (Erigeron karvinskianus) is grown in many areas of the U.S., such as California, the Pacific Northwest and the Southwest, where its airy texture and drought tolerance make it a great choice for natural-themed landscapes. In colder areas, it’s often treated as an annual and planted in containers. Another benefit of this Central American native is that it attracts bees and butterflies, which makes it popular for pollinator gardens in arid or coastal climates.
This trailing ground cover decorates garden spaces with its profusion of small daisylike flowers in white and pink. It’s at home in containers, perennial gardens, raised beds and even rock gardens, where its tendency to grow in crevices is rather useful.
Caution: Latin American fleabane is considered to be invasive in subtropical and temperate climates where moisture is plentiful. However, in arid climates, it is valued as a drought-tolerant ground cover where its spread is controlled by the availability of water.
This trailing ground cover decorates garden spaces with its profusion of small daisylike flowers in white and pink. It’s at home in containers, perennial gardens, raised beds and even rock gardens, where its tendency to grow in crevices is rather useful.
Caution: Latin American fleabane is considered to be invasive in subtropical and temperate climates where moisture is plentiful. However, in arid climates, it is valued as a drought-tolerant ground cover where its spread is controlled by the availability of water.
Distinguishing traits. Narrow dark green leaves grow along slender stems that spread outward, forming a slightly mounded shape. This member of the aster family gradually grows to 3 feet wide, but it can be maintained at a smaller size. In areas with abundant moisture, it will self-seed and spread.
Evergreen in zones 9 and above, it will die back to the ground in colder climates but will grow back quickly in spring. Periodically cut it to the ground to keep it neat and attractive.
Evergreen in zones 9 and above, it will die back to the ground in colder climates but will grow back quickly in spring. Periodically cut it to the ground to keep it neat and attractive.
Young flowers start out dark pink, gradually lightening to white. They can appear over a long season, depending on the region where they’re grown. Latin American fleabane thrives in areas near the coast, such as California and the Northwest, where it can bloom spring through fall. In hotter and drier regions, it stops flowering in summer, only to resume again with cooler fall temperatures.
How to use it. The informal growth habit and ability to spread make Latin America fleabane an excellent choice for cottage-style gardens or those with a natural theme. Plant it among large boulders or rocks where the flowers are shown to great effect by the trailing growth. Add it in a raised bed where it can cascade over the wall, or use as a filler plant in containers.
Latin American fleabane grows in the foreground of a perennial bed in Santa Cruz, California.
Plant Latin American fleabane in front of taller-growing perennials like common yarrow (Achillea millefolium), red valerian (Centranthus ruber) or Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia).
Create a dramatic contrast of textures by adding this low-growing perennial alongside succulents such as aloe vera (Aloe vera), common sotol (Dasylirion wheeleri) and octopus agave (Agave vilmoriniana).
See a great planting combination that uses Latin American fleabane
Plant Latin American fleabane in front of taller-growing perennials like common yarrow (Achillea millefolium), red valerian (Centranthus ruber) or Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia).
Create a dramatic contrast of textures by adding this low-growing perennial alongside succulents such as aloe vera (Aloe vera), common sotol (Dasylirion wheeleri) and octopus agave (Agave vilmoriniana).
See a great planting combination that uses Latin American fleabane
Latin American fleabane grows in a rock garden in Victoria, Canada.
Planting notes. Start from seed or transplants. Plant in regular or well-drained soil. Choose a sunny or partially shaded exposure (the latter required in desert gardens). Prune to the ground in spring once freezing temperatures have ended.
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Common names: Latin American fleabane, Mexican daisy, Santa Barbara daisy
Origin: Native to Mexico and Central America
Where it will grow: Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 17.8 degrees Celsius (USDA Zone 6; find your zone)
Water requirement: Low once established
Light requirement: Full sun to filtered shade; must have filtered shade in low-desert zones
Mature size: 8 inches tall and 1 foot to 3 feet wide
Benefits and tolerances: Drought-tolerant; deer-resistant; attracts bees and butterflies
Seasonal interest: Small white and pink daisies in spring, summer and fall
When to plant: Spring or fall