When does Tansy-aster bloom?

Tansy-aster generally blooms from June through September, producing daisy-like flowers with purple rays and yellow centers.

How much water does Tansy-aster need?

Tansy-aster is a low-water plant and performs best in dry, well-drained soil once it is established.

How much light does Tansy-aster require?

Tansy-aster needs full sun and flowers most heavily when it gets direct sunlight for most of the day.

What pollinators visit Tansy-aster flowers?

Bees and butterflies commonly visit Tansy-aster for nectar and pollen during its summer bloom period.

What growth habit does Tansy-aster have?

Tansy-aster is a low, spreading forb rather than a shrub or tree, and it fits well into open, sunny beds or naturalized dry gardens.

Is Tahoka Daisy toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Tahoka Daisy as toxic to livestock.

Is Tahoka Daisy HOA-friendly?

Tahoka Daisy takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Tahoka Daisy

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Machaeranthera tanacetifolia

Last reviewed: October 2026

Machaeranthera tanacetifolia, or Tansy-aster, is a low-water forb that blooms from June through September in full sun. It grows well in dry, open plains and high desert country across the western and central United States.

Toxicity unknown

Tahoka Daisy (Machaeranthera tanacetifolia) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Tahoka Daisy as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

24"–36" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, KS and 9 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, nectar insects

Before you buy

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range Northwestern Forested Mountains North American Deserts Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Chihuahuan Deserts High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Central Great Plains Edwards Plateau Northwestern Great Plains Madrean Archipelago Sonoran Basin and Range

Tansy-aster is a compact annual wildflower that produces masses of small, daisy-like purple flowers with yellow centers from June through September. This drought-tolerant native grows in a neat, bushy form and readily self-seeds to create natural colonies in sunny, dry locations.

Growing Tahoka Daisy

Grow Tahoka Daisy in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 24 to 36 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Tahoka Daisy takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Annual nature means gaps in coverage
Self-seeding can appear uncontrolled
May look weedy to traditional landscaping preferences

Wildlife value

The abundant blooms attract native bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects throughout the growing season. Seeds provide food for finches and other small birds in fall.

Common questions

When does Tansy-aster bloom?: Tansy-aster generally blooms from June through September, producing daisy-like flowers with purple rays and yellow centers.
How much water does Tansy-aster need?: Tansy-aster is a low-water plant and performs best in dry, well-drained soil once it is established.
How much light does Tansy-aster require?: Tansy-aster needs full sun and flowers most heavily when it gets direct sunlight for most of the day.
What pollinators visit Tansy-aster flowers?: Bees and butterflies commonly visit Tansy-aster for nectar and pollen during its summer bloom period.
What growth habit does Tansy-aster have?: Tansy-aster is a low, spreading forb rather than a shrub or tree, and it fits well into open, sunny beds or naturalized dry gardens.
Is Tahoka Daisy toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Tahoka Daisy as toxic to livestock.
Is Tahoka Daisy HOA-friendly?: Tahoka Daisy takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

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