Daisy and Sunflower: Comparing And Contrasting

Who doesn’t love a daisy? And who can resist a sunflower? They are both so cheerful and bright! Both flowers are members of the plant family Asteraceae, so they do share some common features. However, they do have some very distinct differences. We will discuss the anatomical differences between these plants and how they grow and bloom. So, if you are curious about the difference between a daisy and a sunflower, read on!

Daisy and Sunflower: How Do They compare?

Both the Daisy and Sunflower are members of the Asteraceae plant family. This means they have some things in common. These include

Large composite flowers. These are made of many tiny flowers that grow together to look like a single flower. Each tiny flower produces just one seed.
The petals around the disk are called ray florets, and their job is to attract pollinators.
The flower head is usually wrapped in green leaves that look like sepals.
The leaves of Asteraceae plants grow on stalks. They are generally oval with toothed edges.

The most significant differences between Daisies and Sunflowers are in the individual characteristics that make the plants unique. We have summarized the differences in the table below.

Characteristic	Daisy	Sunflower
Growing Habit	Low growing clumps	Tall and upright
Size	Grows up to 10 feet	Grows 2-3 feet
Leaves	Grow in a rosette close to the ground	Grow in pairs up most of the stem
Stem	Thick and woody	Slender, green and pliable
Flowers	Grow 4 to 12 across. Contain 34-89 petals	Grow 1-2 inches across. Contain 21-34 petals
Type	Perennial	Annual

Introduction to the Sunflower

Botanical Name Helianthus annuus
Common Names Sunflower, common Sunflower
Plant Type Annual
Mature Size 3–10 ft. tall, 1.5–3 ft. wide
Bloom Time Summer, fall
Flower Color Yellow, red, mahogany, bicolors
Zone 2–11

Sunflowers are part of the Asteraceae family. The more specific category it falls into is Helianthus. They are known for their large, bright flowers that grow on top of a tall stem. Sunflowers can have a single or branching stems.

Sunflowers get names from their large flower heads that track the sun throughout the day. These gorgeous plants are annuals, meaning they live for one growing season. They are native to North America, but now they are grown worldwide.

The Scientific name comes from Greek words that mean “sun” (helios) and “flower” (anthos). So it is literally the flower of the sun.

Characteristics Of Sunflowers

They grow quickly and take 80-120 days to mature. Read more about the plant life stages here.

If you have ever tried to pull up a sunflower at the end of the growing season, you will know Sunflowers have deep roots. These are made up of a primary taproot and many secondary roots.

Sunflower leaves are oval-shaped, growing between 2- 12 inches long and half as wide. They have a subtle textured edge and are rough to the touch. The lower leaves grow opposite each other, while the upper leaves alternate on the stalk.

The flowers usually start to appear in mid-summer and will continue to grow until the first killing frost. The flowers are large, between 4 to 12 inches. They have a large central disk surrounded by a ray of petals. Hundreds of tiny tubular flowers are held in the disc. The outer petals attract insects, which assist in pollination.

Some varieties will produce one flower on a single stem. Others will grow multiple flowers on branching stems. The flowers grow on strong, upright stems that can grow to 10 feet.

Introduction to the Daisy

Botanical Name Leucanthemum
Common Names Shasta Daisy, Ox-eye Daisy
Plant Type Perennial
Mature Size 2-3 ft ft. tall, 1–2 ft. wide
Bloom Time Summer, fall
Flower Color White
Zone 3 and up

Daisies also belong to the family of Asteraceae. The Daisy family includes thousands of different species. We are focusing on those that belong to the Leucanthemum genus. They are known for their distinctive white flowers with yellow centers. This group’s most well-known daisies are the Shasta and Ox-eye Daisies.

The Scientific name comes from Greek words that mean “white” (helios) and “flower” (anthos). So, it is literally the white flower.

The common name comes from the old English word “daege,” meaning day’s eye. This is because the flower’s center is yellow and surrounded by white petals that resemble a sun.

Characteristics Of Daisies

Daisies form low-growing clumps. They send up long stems (with no leaves) that bear the flower. Most gardeners are familiar with the characteristic white daisy petals and yellow disk florets. Shasta daisies make long-lasting cut flowers, but you won’t want to bring Ox-Eyes into the house as they smell terrible.

Like the Sunflower, the yellow disc of the daisy head contains many tiny flowers, which grow symmetrically from the middle of the disc. These flowers will produce the seeds. The yellow discs are surrounded by 15 to 30 white ray petals that attract bees, hoverflies, and other pollinators.

Daisy leaves are spoon-shaped, and the edges have tiny teeth. They are bright green in color with a short stem. They range in size between 1 and 1.5 inches long. The leaves grow close to the ground in a basal rosette. This means they grow in a circle around the stem at the base of the plant. These growth patterns produce neat mounds of foliage.

Daisies are perennials, so you can plant them once, and they will grow back each year. They prefer full sun but will tolerate some shade. They bloom all through the summer and will keep flowering if you deadhead them (remove spent flowers).

Shasta daisies are great garden flowers. They are a hardy perennial that blooms most of the summer and is attacked by very few pests. As an added bonus, they are rabbit- and deer-resistant. The Ox-Eye Daisy is a noxious weed in many places, so check before you plant. They tend to be garden bullies and will take over your flower bed if you let them.

What Are The Similarities Between a Daisy and a Sunflower?

The Daisy and Sunflower are both members of the family Asteraceae, so they share the general characteristics.

The most well-known feature of the plant family Asteraceae is their flat blooms. They consist of a central disc surrounded by rays of petals growing outward.
If you look very closely at the discs, you will see that they consist of multiple little flowers. These flowers grow symmetrically from the center of the disc. What appears to be a single flower is actually lots of smaller flowers. Each one of these tiny flowers will produce a single seed. The petal rays do not make seeds, but they do attract bees, hoverflies, and other pollinators.
Before it blooms, the flower head is wrapped in green bracts. These are specialized leaves, and they cover the flower until it is ready to bloom.
The leaves of both the Daisy and Sunflower grow on stalks and tend to have jagged or toothed edges.

Daisies and Sunflowers are lovely, bright flowers that bring a touch of cheer to any garden or field. They both prefer to grow in full sun and are super easy to take care of. It’s no wonder they’re such popular choices for beginner gardeners. But while they share many similarities, there are also some crucial differences between these two sun-loving flowers. Whatever their differences, Daisies, and Sunflowers will surely add a touch of beauty to your garden. We will go into detail below.

What Are The Differences Between a Daisy and a Sunflower?

It is now time to take a closer look at the obvious differences between these two flowers. These differences can help you tell a daisy from a sunflower, even when they are not in bloom.

Growth Habit and Shapes of The Daisy and Sunflower

The first difference is how they grow and the shape formed by the plant. Sunflowers have an upright growing habit. Leaves and flowers grow from tall, thick stems. Sometimes it will be a single flower on one stem. Other times there will be a few branches. But most Sunflowers can be described as tall and upright.

Daisies, on the other hand, have a more spreading habit. The leaves and flowers tend to grow outwards rather than upwards. They are often described as bushy or mound-forming.

Comparing The Leaves of The Daisy and Sunflower

The Sunflower’s leaves feel scratchy and rough to the touch. They grow between 2-12 inches long and have an oval shape. Interestingly, the lower leaves grow in pairs opposite one another on either side of the stem. In contrast, the upper leaves alternate left and right on the stalk.

Daisy leaves can be described as having a spoon shape in that they are narrower at the base and have a broadly rounded tip. They also grow in a basal rosette, which means they grow close to the ground in a circular pattern. They are smaller and narrower, growing between 1 and 1.5 inches long.

The Size Differences Between Daisies and Sunflowers

Sunflowers can grow quite tall, sometimes reaching heights of 10 feet. Daisies, however, stay relatively short, rarely growing taller than 2-3 feet.

The Stems of Daisies and Sunflowers

Sunflowers typically have thicker stems than daisies. This is because sunflowers can grow so much taller. The Sunflower stems are very sturdy and almost woody. Daisy stems are more like the stems you associate with cut flowers. Thinner, green, and pliable.

The Flowers of Daisies and Sunflowers

While both plants share composite flowers and flower shapes, there are differences in size. Sunflowers have flowers between 4 to 12 inches in diameter. While daisies are typically 1-2 inches. There are also differences in the number of petals. Shasta daisies have 21-34, while Sunflowers typically grow 34-89 petals.

Fun Fact: the most enormous Sunflower head recorded is a whopping 32 inches across. It was grown in British Columbia, Canada.

The Life Cycles of Daisies and Sunflowers

Daisies are short-lived perennials. This means they go dormant in the fall and winter and grow back the following year. They tend to die off after a few years, though. However, they will self-seed, so you will have a continual supply of plants growing.

Sunflowers are annuals, meaning they will complete their life cycle in one season. They will grow, flower, and then die. Sunflowers also can self-seed. If you leave the heads on the plant after flowering, the birds will enjoy them. However, a few seeds will fall to the ground, and you will get a few volunteers the following year.

Tips For Growing Daisies

Plant Daisies in the Spring, so they have the whole growing season to establish their roots. Shasta daisies are tough plants and fend for themselves. You won’t have to do much except deadhead them to keep the flowers blooming.

Daisy plants grow best in full sun but also thrive in partial shade. Keep in mind that plants cultivated under full sunlight will produce more flowers.

Caring For Daisies

Daisies are very easy to grow. Their ability to thrive in various climates and soil types has made them a favorite among gardeners. However, for optimum development, daisies require nutrient-rich, slightly loamy soil that is moist throughout their lengthy blooming period. A rich, fertile soil will ensure a robust and long-lasting flowering season.

But, Shasta daisies can also thrive in poor soil conditions. We have them growing in our sunbaked clay garden, and they do fine. However, they cannot tolerate soggy soil, so avoid planting them in areas where water tends to pool.

One of the best ways to ensure that your daisies remain healthy and vibrant is to fertilize them regularly. Daisies respond well to compost or other organic material, which can provide them with a boost of nutrients. We recommend applying this in the springtime. Alternatively, throughout the summer, you may use a well-balanced fertilizer every month.

In conclusion, Daisies are relatively easy to care for but need regular watering and occasional fertilizing to perform at their best. You can enjoy a beautiful display of these cheerful flowers with love and attention all summer.

Tips For Growing Sunflowers

Sunflowers are one of the easiest plants to grow and make a stunning addition to any garden. They are not particularly fussy about soil conditions but prefer full sun. So, give them a sunny spot in your garden, and you will be rewarded with a beautiful display of these beloved flowers.

Sunflowers have a deep taproot that helps anchor them in the ground. However, they should not be planted in windy spots because they are susceptible to toppling. Some growers recommend staking their sunflowers, especially the tall varieties. If they do fall over, they will generally continue to grow but at a slant that looks odd. Still, it can add a quirky feeling to your flowerbed.

Sunflowers are annual plants that complete their life cycle in just one year. To enjoy a dazzling display of sunflowers in your garden, you must replant them each year. The good news is that sunflowers are easy to grow from seed. Simply wait until after your last frost, then plant the seeds directly into the soil.

Caring For Sunflowers

Regular weeding will ensure that your sunflowers have the best chance to thrive. Keep the area around your sunflowers clear of weeds as they compete for water and nutrients. Mulching with straw or bark chips will help suppress weed growth and improve soil retention.

Sunflowers can thrive in a wide range of soil types. They thrive in our dry clay soil. However, they’ll do best in well-drained loam with a lot of organic material.

If you want your sunflowers to reach their full potential, giving them the right fertilizer is essential. Sunflowers need a fertilizer high in phosphorus and potassium to encourage blooming on tall stalks. If your soil is rich, loamy, and disease-free, you may not need to fertilize. However, if your soil is poor, you should use a slow-release fertilizer from when you plant them. Don’t over-feed your plants or you may end up with spindly stems..

Daisy and Sunflower FAQs

Are Sunflowers and Daisies In The Same Family?

Yes, they are both members of the family Asteraceae. This vast family of plants includes Asters, Blanket flowers, and Chrysanthemum.

What Daisy looks like a sunflower?

There are some yellow daisies, but the color is as far as the similarity goes. The shape, growing habit, and size simply don’t match the Sunflower because they are daisies!

Do Daisies and sunflowers go together?

I love the combination of yellow and white, so I think bouquets of daisies and sunflowers are stunning. Both plants enjoy the same growing conditions, so they can easily be grown in the same flower bed. The Sunflowers would provide vertical interest, and the daisies will grow close to the ground.

The Daisy and Sunflower are both beautiful flowers that can be found in gardens across the United States. While they share some similarities, they also have several differences. We’ve outlined the key characteristics of each flower in the hopes of making identification easy. We hope our post has helped you get to know these two flowers better.