The Meaning of “Daisy” in Spanish

If you are writing a card, labeling a garden or talking with Spanish-speaking friends about flowers, you may wonder how to say “daisy” in Spanish. The short answer is margarita, but there are a few useful details that make the word easier to use correctly.

“Margarita”: the everyday word

In most Spanish-speaking countries, the common white daisy is called una margarita (plural margaritas). It is the word you will see in garden centers, flower shops and children’s books.

• Me encantan las margaritas means “I love daisies.”
• Un ramo de margaritas means “a bouquet of daisies.”

The word is also a common given name, Margarita, and it is the name of the well-known cocktail.

Daisy as a name

When “Daisy” is someone’s name, it is usually left unchanged in Spanish. A person named Daisy is still Daisy. In English, Daisy is also traditionally a nickname for Margaret, which makes the link with Margarita a nice coincidence of language history.

Other daisy-related words

• Margarita de los prados is sometimes used for the small lawn or English daisy.
• Gerbera stays the same in Spanish.
• Flor means flower, and pétalo means petal.
• Deshojar la margarita refers to plucking petals one by one, as in “me quiere, no me quiere” (“he loves me, he loves me not”). It is also used as an expression for being undecided.

Regional differences

Flower names can vary by region. In some places, margarita may be used loosely for other daisy-like flowers, including some chrysanthemums. If you need a specific plant, ask for it by its botanical name, such as Bellis perennis for the English daisy or Leucanthemum for Shasta-type daisies.

Using daisy words in cards and gifts

Short phrases for a card with daisies:

• Para ti, con cariño (For you, with love)
• Feliz cumpleaños (Happy birthday)
• Que te mejores pronto (Get well soon)

Daisies are associated with innocence and new beginnings in many traditions; read more in the meaning of daisies.

Pronunciation tips

In Spanish, margarita is pronounced roughly “mar-ga-REE-ta,” with a lightly tapped “r” sound and the stress on the third syllable. The “g” is a hard sound, as in “go.” Practicing the phrase un ramo de margaritas is an easy way to get comfortable with the rhythm.

Daisies in Spanish-speaking gardens

Daisy-type flowers are grown widely in Spain and Latin America, from small lawn daisies to tall garden varieties. If you garden in a Spanish-speaking area, local nurseries are a great place to learn regional plant names. See our guide to popular daisy varieties for the botanical names to ask about.

Quick FAQ

Is “margarita” masculine or feminine?

Feminine: la margarita, las margaritas.

How do you say “daisy flower”?

Flor de margarita, or simply margarita.

Conclusion

The Spanish word for daisy is margarita. Use it for the flower, keep “Daisy” unchanged as a name, and rely on botanical names when you need a specific plant. To pair your new vocabulary with real flowers, see our guide to arranging daisy bouquets.