Paper daisy is the common name for several Australian native everlasting daisies, such as golden everlasting (Xerochrysum bracteatum), that produce papery, long-lasting flowers on tough, sun-loving plants. They suit sunny, well-drained gardens in Sydney, pots and cottage-style borders where you want colour with little fuss.
This guide covers the types of paper daisy in Australia, where to plant them, how to look after them and how to fix common problems.
Key points
- Most paper daisies grow roughly 30 cm to 1 m tall depending on the type (indicative — check the plant label), so pick a variety to suit your bed.
- They need full sun and free-draining soil, and they rot in heavy, wet clay.
- Maintenance is low: deadhead, cut back after flowering and water by the Water Wise Guidelines, which allow watering before 10 am and after 4 pm.
- A Sydney gardener charges about $52 to $115 per hour (October 2026), so a bed refresh is usually a few hours’ work.
Paper daisy at a glance
Paper daisies are known for flowers that keep their colour when dried, which is why gardeners call them everlastings. On sunny Sydney balconies they are among the easiest native colour plants to grow.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical names | Often Xerochrysum bracteatum and several Rhodanthe species; check the tag |
| Type | Annual, short-lived perennial or small shrub, depending on the variety |
| Mature size | About 30 cm to 1 m tall (indicative — check the plant label) |
| Sun | Full sun for the best flowering |
| Soil | Light, free-draining soil; raised beds suit clay areas |
| Water | Low once established; avoid wet feet |
| Frost tolerance | Varies by type; shelter young plants from frost in cold western suburbs |
| Flowering | Mostly spring to summer, with some types flowering for longer (indicative — check the plant label) |
| Native? | Yes, native to Australia |
Paper daisy Australia: types and varieties
Several native species and garden cultivars share the paper daisy name. Compare them by size and use before you shop.
| Type | Size (indicative) | Best use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden everlasting (Xerochrysum bracteatum) | Up to about 1 m (indicative — check the label) | Cottage borders, cutting gardens | Yellow, orange, pink and white forms are sold |
| Dwarf golden everlasting forms | Compact (indicative — check the label) | Pots, edges, rockeries | Neater habit, ideal for small gardens |
| Pink paper daisy (Rhodanthe species) | Low to medium (indicative — check the label) | Rock gardens, mass planting | Often grown as an annual from seed |
| Chamomile sunray | Low (indicative — check the label) | Pots, edges, wildflower patches | Small white flowers with a yellow centre |
| Dried-flower cultivars | Varies (indicative — check the label) | Cutting and drying | Pick flowers when half open for best results |
Where to plant paper daisy in Sydney
- Choose a spot with full sun for most of the day, because shade makes plants leggy with fewer flowers.
- Pick free-draining soil, and on heavy clay in western Sydney use a raised bed or add coarse sand and compost.
- Space plants about 30 to 50 cm apart (indicative — check the plant label) so air moves between them in humid weather.
- Plant in pots on sunny balconies, using quality potting mix and containers with drainage holes.
- Keep plants away from constantly wet areas such as downpipes and lawn sprinklers.
- Use them at the front of borders or in rockeries, where their colour is easy to see and the soil drains fast.
How to plant paper daisy
- Choose a sunny spot and loosen the top of the soil, digging in coarse sand if the ground is heavy.
- Water the nursery pot and let it drain, so the root ball holds together.
- Dig a hole about as deep as the pot and twice as wide (indicative — check the plant label).
- Remove the plant, tease out any circling roots and set it level with the soil surface.
- Backfill, firm gently and water in before 10 am or after 4 pm using a hose with a trigger nozzle.
- Add a thin layer of mulch, keeping it clear of the stems to prevent rot.
- Pinch out the tips of young plants to encourage bushier growth and more flowers.
Caring for paper daisy
| Task | When | How |
|---|---|---|
| Watering | Regularly while establishing; sparingly after | Water deeply but infrequently, following Sydney Water’s Water Wise Guidelines |
| Feeding | Early spring | Use a low-phosphorus native fertiliser registered for the job, following the label |
| Deadheading | During flowering | Snip spent flowers to encourage more blooms |
| Cutting back | After flowering | Cut stems back by about a third to keep plants compact (indicative — check the plant label) |
| Mulching | Autumn | Apply a light layer of organic mulch, kept off the crowns |
| Pest and disease watch | Humid weather | Look for aphids and mould; book a licensed pest controller if infestations spread |
Pruning and drying paper daisy flowers
Regular snipping keeps plants tidy and gives you flowers to dry indoors.
- Cut flowers when they are half open and the centres are still tight, because they keep opening as they dry.
- Hang bunches upside down in a dark, airy spot for a couple of weeks (indicative — check the plant label).
- Trim leggy stems after the main flush of flowers to promote a second flush.
- Replace short-lived plants every year or two, since many paper daisies decline with age.
- Use clean secateurs, and run powered trimmers only inside NSW noise hours.
Common paper daisy problems
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Leggy plants, few flowers | Too much shade or overfeeding | Move to full sun and stop feeding |
| Yellow leaves and soft stems | Wet soil or poor drainage | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| White powdery coating | Powdery mildew in humid weather | Improve airflow and remove affected leaves |
| Sticky growth and clustered insects | Aphids | Wash off small numbers and book a licensed pest controller if severe |
| Plant declines after two years | Natural short life | Take cuttings or replace the plant |
| Flowers don’t open | Cloudy weather or cold nights | Wait for sun, as flowers open in bright light |
When to call a gardener for flower beds
- You want a whole border cleared, dug over and replanted without the weekend work.
- Weeds have overtaken the bed; paid weed spraying in NSW needs an EPA ground applicator licence.
- Insects keep damaging plants; book a licensed pest controller.
- Drainage is poor and the bed floods; book a licensed plumber or handyman for pipework and retaining walls.
- Overhanging trees block sun; check council rules and book a qualified arborist for large trees.
- You need regular visits to keep beds tidy, mulched and trimmed.
Garden help costs in Sydney
Prices include GST and reflect Sydney metro rates for October 2026.
| Job | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gardener (per hour) | $52 | $75 | $115 |
| Fortnightly maintenance plan, medium lawn (per visit) | $60 | $75 | $120 |
| Garden clean-up, half day | $170 | $290 | $460 |
| Weed removal (per hour) | $57 | $75 | $105 |
FAQ: paper daisy questions
What is a paper daisy?
Paper daisy is a common name for several Australian native daisies, including golden everlasting, with papery flowers that last when dried. Check the botanical name on the plant tag, because different nurseries use the name for different species.
Is the paper daisy native to Australia?
Yes. The popular paper daisies sold in Australian nurseries are native everlasting daisies. They suit sunny gardens and cope with dry spells once established, though they still need free-draining soil and some care.
Where does paper daisy grow best in Australia?
It grows best in full sun with light, free-draining soil. In Sydney, it suits sunny borders, rockeries and pots, while wet clay beds need raising or improving. Cooler areas may need frost protection for young plants.
When does paper daisy flower?
Most flower from spring through summer, though timing varies by species and variety. Deadhead regularly to extend flowering, and check the plant label for the expected season for your type.
Getting flower beds planted in Sydney
If you’d rather not dig and plant yourself, we prepare beds, plant, mulch and keep gardens tidy across Sydney. Book garden maintenance in Sydney and get an itemised quote. Browse more flowers in our guide to the types of flower.
