Daisy Tutorial — Rubik's Cube (LBL)
Recap: Daisy is step one of LBL
Daisy is the first step of the layer-by-layer method: lift all four white edges to the top face, white-side up, ringing the yellow center, like a daisy's petals — which is where the name comes from. It's a setup move — gather the white edges on top first, then in the next step fold them down to form the white cross. Here we only track where each white edge sits and which way it faces; the side colors come later.
📌 This page uses notation freely (R, F2…). The basics live in Fundamentals — this page won't re-teach them, it just uses them.
Goal: four white edges up, around the yellow center
That's the finished state — yellow center in the middle, four white edges facing up around it, shaped like a daisy. Note the petals' side colors won't line up yet (that's the cross's job, next step) — all that matters here is white-up, ringing the yellow.
Approach: two facts per white edge — its layer, and where white points
For each white edge, read two facts — which layer it's in, and which way its white sticker faces — and you know how to lift it; once a petal is placed, never touch it again.
Don't just start turning. Each white edge's fate comes down to two facts: its layer (top, middle, or bottom) and its facing (white up, sideways, or down). The combinations look like 9, but an edge only shows two faces — a middle-layer edge sits between two side faces and can only face sideways; a top edge can't reach the bottom; a bottom edge can't reach the top — so there are really only 5 classes, a small classification. The cards below cover how to lift each class; but your real skill is reading which class each edge belongs to at a glance.
Already a petal — leave it.
On top but white faces sideways. Turn its side face to bring it down to the middle (turning the top face is useless — it stays on top; either direction of the side face works) — it becomes a middle-layer sideways edge, then lift it as below.
White is on one of the two faces the edge joins — turn the other face (turning the face white is on is useless; white stays on it). Pick the direction that swings the white sticker up to the top, and it's white-up in one move.
Easiest. Half-turn the side face it's on (e.g. F2) — a half-turn flips the edge 180° over the top edge, so the down-facing white comes up, and it lands as a petal.
First turn its side face to move it to the middle (it becomes a middle-layer sideways edge), then lift it as below.
Recognition: read each white edge's layer and facing first
Before turning anything, look around the cube. How to read each white edge: each time you spot a white sticker, ask two questions — which layer is it in (top/middle/bottom)? Which way does white face (up/sideways/down)? Two answers and the class is set. White stickers only live on edges (never corners or centers), so a white sticker is the edge you'll work on. Sweep all four sides (don't forget the back); sort all four into their classes before you turn — reading the whole picture first saves trial-and-error and keeps placed petals from getting knocked loose.
Common pitfalls
These are where beginners get stuck most.
- A move that lifts a new edge can fling a placed petal loose — glance at the top first, and rotate the top layer aside if needed before you turn.
- Don't force a sideways white edge in the middle layer straight up — turn the face it's on and let it slide up to the top.
- After placing a petal, return the top layer to where it was — don't leave it half-turned, or finding your petals gets messy.
Go practice
That's the method: read each white edge by its layer + facing, pick the right lift, protect your petals. Now form the Daisy yourself in interactive practice — re-scramble and retry until you can do it reliably without the guide.
▶ Practice: form the Daisy