To many, garlands of daisies represent innocence, allowing individuals to see the world as they did when they were young. 

However, daisies are only superficially pretty – they are vigorous growers that tend to run rampant. In some places, the oxeye daisy is considered an invasive species, strangling and choking out native vegetation. The name given to the vapid socialite in The Great Gatsby, Daisy Fay, proves that daisies are ultimately just weeds. 

That doesn’t mean that you should uproot your tuft filled with daisies. More of an asset than uglier weeds like thistle, daisies can be an indicator of soil biodiversity. Still, there are prettier flowers that you could be planting – here’s a few that resemble daisies. 

1. German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

Similar to daisies, German chamomile is one of two chamomile varieties that are used in herbal remedies. Some gardeners have replaced their lawns with swaths of chamomile. Roman chamomile is recommended for traditional lawns, while German chamomile is best for mixed plantings or interplanting with other, daisy-like flowers in raised beds. 

2. Shasta Daisies   

Perhaps bearing the closest resemblance, Shasta daisies replicate the radial white petals and sunny centers of common daisies. However, they’re larger and more robust, with overarching stems that make them a popular mainstay in pollinator gardens. A hybrid of wild daisies, Shasha daisies prefer well-drained soil. 

3. African Daisies   

African daisies come in a medley of vibrant colors, from orange sherbet to the frosty 'Blue Disc.' To grow indoors, sow 8 – 10 weeks before the last frost date by covering the seeds with a seed-starting mix. Place grow cells or trays under a grow light. African daisies are most prolific during the summer months, although they may take a break during times of scorching heat before they bloom again. They will benefit from regularly deadheading to keep blooming.

4. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Purple coneflowers are highly attractive to pollinators, especially butterflies. Ruffled flowers such as cranesbill and marigolds, fragrant ornamental grasses, geraniums, and black-eyed Susans look great together when planted in beautiful mounds of coneflowers. Keep all of your flowers well-watered with an irrigation kit. As fall winds down, leave spent flower heads in place to provide seasonal winter interest. 

5. Cosmos 

Cosmos are a cottage-garden favorite, strewing gardens with whimsical, daisy-like blooms. If you’re looking for a flower that looks as good as it smells, chocolate cosmos emit a lovely fragrance that will draw in bees. Despite their diminutive blooms, their foliage can grow to be quite tall – up to six feet. If you are finding a lack of flowers, you may need to cut back on fertilizer. 

6. Brown Eyed Girl Helianthus

Daisy-like is not often used as a descriptor for sunflowers, yet some sunflowers do indeed resemble daisies. This variety of sunflower, known for its abundance of blooms, shoots forth with over a thousand flowers in a single season. It is heat tolerant and can tolerate droughts. 

7. White Strawflower         

A cross between a chrysanthemum and a daisy, white strawflowers produce luminous white flowers that hold their color when cut, making them popular for fresh or dried flower arrangements. If drying, avoid overmature blooms. Cut when 2 – 3 layers of petals have unfurled, but the centers are still closed. 

8. Asters     

A member of the family Asteraceae, asters can range from 1 to 6 feet tall. Jewelaster Rose Aster is a semi-dwarf variety that boosts frilly petals that emulate the elegance of mums and peonies; Aster 'Celeste' gives off more of the classic daisy-petal look. Asters typically bloom in late summer and fall, making them great as filler plants among late-season perennials. 

9. Desert Star Daisy     

Gardeners have been conditioned to see daisies in lush lawns, which is why the desert star daisy is something of an anomaly. Able to tolerate dry, desert conditions typical to the Mojave Desert range, it lies flat on the ground, sitting on top of scrubby foliage only a few centimeters in length. It's not a typical flower that grows in gardens, but you might encounter one in the wild if you live in the Southwest. 

10. Cornflowers     

Cornflowers, also known as bachelor’s buttons, can be seen proliferating in roadsides and cornfields, from which they have received their common name. Brought to Britain during the Iron Age, they have been dramatically declining in numbers – so much that they are almost extinct in the wild. They can tolerate sandy or poor soils as long as there is good drainage. Although cornflowers come in several shades, it is the electric blue that they are known for. 

11. Calendula (Pot Marigold)     

Used as a garnish and in natural medicine, calendulas are known for their velvety yellow flowers. It is sometimes grown as a ‘trap crop’ by drawing in aphids, thrips, whiteflies, and other pests. Calendula also attracts beneficial predators such as ladybugs, lacewings, and butterflies. Not to be confused with garden marigolds, which belong to the genus Tagetes, calendulas were once valued plants in classical Rome, often imbued with magical qualities. 

12. Ice Plant     

Ice plants are frequently deemed as weeds in coastal areas of California, but not all ice plants are invasive – the culprit belongs to the genus Carpobrotus. Delosperma spp. is a slow-growing variety that can be adapted to dry or rock gardens. It is great for beginners due to its capacity to create mounds of jewel-like flowers, easily trailing over walls or containers.