How to Grow Bidens
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Bidens
Bidens spp.
flowerBidens, 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.
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Example Bidens timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Bidens
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Bidens blooms
Around Jun 1≈ 45 days after planting
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-11; treated as annual in zones 2-9, perennial in zones 10-11
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Seed Germination
7-14 daysTiny 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 weeksYoung 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 weeksPlant 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 frostAbundant 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 frostFlowering 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:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil if severe
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Increase humidity by misting; apply neem oil or miticide spray
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil
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Allow soil to dry between waterings; use gnat control products if needed
Uses
Container & Basket Planting
OrnamentalBidens' 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]
Pollinator Attraction
WildlifeThe 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]
Edible Flowers
CulinarySome 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]
Traditional Herbal Use
MedicinalBidens 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]
Low-Maintenance Summer Color
HouseholdBidens' 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.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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