Daisy Roots

• Type: Potion Ingredient
• Owners: Apothecaries, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
• Maker: Natural (Plant)

Daisy roots are the root systems of the common daisy plant. The novels do not provide a detailed physical description, but in the Muggle world, the roots of the daisy (Bellis perennis) are typically small and fibrous. For use in Potions, they are often prepared by being chopped. As a common and fundamental ingredient, they are part of the standard second-year inventory in the Hogwarts Potions classroom.

The primary magical property of daisy roots is their use as a key ingredient in the Swelling Solution. When correctly brewed with other components, this potion causes living organisms and objects to swell dramatically in size. The inclusion of daisy roots is essential for this swelling effect. Their use in a standard second-year potion like the Swelling Solution suggests they are not considered a dangerous or difficult ingredient to handle, although the resulting potion can have potent and chaotic effects if mishandled.

Daisy roots are most notably mentioned during a second-year Potions class in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The class, taught by Professor Snape, was tasked with brewing a Swelling Solution. While Harry Potter was chopping his daisy roots, Draco Malfoy threw a Filibuster's Firework into Gregory Goyle's cauldron. The cauldron exploded, splashing the unfinished Swelling Solution over numerous students. This caused various body parts to swell grotesquely, such as Goyle's nose swelling to the size of a melon and Hermione Granger's hands becoming enlarged. The incident was quickly resolved when Professor Snape administered a Deflating Draught to the affected students. This event serves as a clear example of the volatile nature of classroom Potions and the ongoing rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin students.

• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the Swelling Solution incident occurs, but the cause is simplified. Goyle's cauldron explodes seemingly by his own incompetence, without Draco Malfoy throwing a firework. (film)
• Daisy roots appear frequently as a common, collectible potion ingredient in a number of the Harry Potter video games. (video game)