How to Grow Bidens

Bidens

Bidens spp.

flower

Bidens, commonly known as beggar-ticks or tickseed, is a cheerful annual or tender perennial flower prized for its prolific small blooms in shades of yellow, orange, and red. These compact, bushy plants are extremely heat and drought tolerant, making them ideal for containers, borders, and hanging baskets. Bidens flowers attract pollinators and bloom continuously from spring through frost.

Looking for a specific variety?

Bidens ferulifolia Bidens aurea Bidens × 'Beedance' Bidens × 'Compact Gold' Bidens × 'Fire Island' Bidens × 'Lemon Delight'

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum; tolerates partial shade but blooms best in full sun

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Water: Water moderately when soil surface is dry; drought tolerant once established. Reduce watering in cooler months. Avoid overwatering as plants prefer drier conditions.

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Spacing: 12 inches

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Days to maturity: 45-60 days to first flowers from seed

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Planting depth: Surface sow or barely cover seeds; requires light to germinate

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy or sandy soil

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Perlite for drainage Compost for light nutrition Avoid heavy mulching

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 2-11; treated as annual in zones 2-9, perennial in zones 10-11

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

Growth Stages

Seed Germination

7-14 days

Tiny seedlings with first true leaves emerging; extremely delicate stage

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide warm temperatures (70-75°F). Use a seed heating mat to improve germination rates. Ensure adequate light to prevent leggy growth.

Seedling Development

2-3 weeks

Young plants developing first set of true leaves; growth accelerating

Thin seedlings to proper spacing or transplant individually. Begin feeding with diluted liquid fertilizer. Provide bright light (12-16 hours daily under grow lights if indoor). Maintain warm, slightly dry conditions.

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Plant becoming bushy with multiple stems and increasingly dense foliage; no flowers yet

Pinch growing tips when 3-4 inches tall to encourage branching. Reduce watering frequency. Begin hardening off for outdoor planting. Minimal fertilization needed; avoid excess nitrogen.

Flowering & Blooming

8-12 weeks until frost

Abundant small daisy-like flowers covering the plant; continuous bloom production

Deadhead spent blooms regularly to maintain flowering. Water when soil is dry to touch. Apply balanced or low-nitrogen fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Provide full sun and warm temperatures.

Senescence & End of Season

Variable; until frost

Flowering slows as temperatures drop; foliage may become tinged with red/purple

In zones 10-11, prune back by half in fall to rejuvenate for spring growth. In cooler zones, plants decline with first frost. Collect seeds from spent flowers before hard freeze for next season.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Marigolds Zinnias Salvia Petunias Verbena Dusty Miller Vinca Celosia

Avoid planting near:

Shade-loving plants Moisture-demanding plants like hostas Mint (can overshadow Bidens)

Common Pests

Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil if severe
Increase humidity by misting; apply neem oil or miticide spray
Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil
Allow soil to dry between waterings; use gnat control products if needed

Uses

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Container & Basket Planting

Ornamental

Bidens' compact, mounding habit and cascading nature make them ideal for hanging baskets, containers, and window boxes, where they spill over gracefully while blooming prolifically. Their heat and drought tolerance make them low-maintenance choices for outdoor summer color. [source]

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Pollinator Attraction

Wildlife

The bright, abundant small flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators throughout the growing season. Bidens supports pollinators when many other sources are scarce in mid to late summer. [source]

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Edible Flowers

Culinary

Some Bidens species (particularly Bidens alba) produce edible flowers with a mild, slightly sweet flavor. The petals can be used as garnish in salads or as a delicate culinary decoration. [source]

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Traditional Herbal Use

Medicinal

Bidens pilosa, known as Spanish needles or beggar-ticks, has been used in traditional medicine in various cultures for anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. The whole plant is sometimes used in herbal teas or remedies. [source]

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Low-Maintenance Summer Color

Household

Bidens' extreme heat and drought tolerance make them excellent for busy gardeners, hot climates, and water-conservation landscapes. They thrive in poor soil and require minimal fertilization or fussing. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Bidens are ornamental flowers; pinch or deadhead blooms regularly to encourage continuous flowering. Harvest seeds by collecting dried seed heads in late summer/fall before they scatter naturally. Seeds can be dried and stored for next season.

Fun Facts

🌱 The common name 'beggar-ticks' comes from the plant's seeds, which have barbed edges that stick tenaciously to clothing and animal fur for dispersal—the same mechanism gave Velcro its inspiration.
🌱 Bidens species are found on nearly every continent and are sometimes considered invasive outside their native ranges due to their aggressive self-seeding and hitchhiking seed distribution.
🌱 In zones 10-11, Bidens can live as a true perennial and will regrow from pruning; in cooler zones, they're treated as annuals but may self-seed if conditions allow seeds to mature before frost.

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