Euryops Daisy Getting Leggy

Q. My green euryops daisies were doing beautifully last spring and summer, but this year they became tall and leggy and grew poorly. It is late July now. Is that too late to prune them back?

Euryops Daisy in a planter in Las Vegas

A. Euryops daisy grows best at temperatures from 40F to 100F. When it gets above 100F then this plant struggles. The ideal temperature for their growth is probably about 65 to 75F. If on the west or south side of the home, move it to the east side (cooler microclimate) this fall (milder time of year) if possible and put other plants around it that like water. Cut them back hard and improve the soil with organics such as compost when planting. Use a pre-plant fertilizer mixed with the soil like the one for roses or tomatoes. If you use a “rich” compost, then extra fertilizer is not needed. They will not like it much if surrounded by rock.

            As far as cutting them back now, wait until daytime temperatures are 65 to 75F and then prune them an inch or two above the ground and let them regrow from the base. In the Las Vegas climate, that would probably be some time in October. When pruning, cut them back very close to the ground and let them grow back before it gets cold this winter.