They are also commonly called Spanish needles, tickseed sunflowers, and beggarticks.
They thrive in rich soil with sufficient drainage and require full sun.
They toleratedrought and heatrelatively well.
Bidens albayujie chen / Getty Images
Bidens are perennial plants in warmer climates.
In northern climates with freezing temperatures, they are annuals and will need replanting each year.
Light
Bidens prefer full sun conditions for the biggest and best blooms.
Bidens Campfire BurstJacky Parker Photography / Getty Images
Any location you choose to plant bidens should receive at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
In addition, this abundantly blooming plant thrives in rich, humus soil.
It can tolerate various pH levels in soil but generally does best in neutral to slightly acidic soil types.
Bidens ferulifolia “Golden Nugget"Naomi Rahim / Getty Images
Water
These plants are considered reasonably drought-resistant.
However, they do require regular watering for their best appearance and longevity.
An inch of water per week is typically sufficient; water before wilting begins.
Temperature and Humidity
Bidens flowertolerates high heat and drought.
Many of these plants grow in warm and humid locations like Hawaii, Mexico, and Polynesia.
This plant’s drought-resistant quality also helps it endure hot,dry conditions.
On the other hand, if temperatures dip too low, bidens plants will suffer.
These plants are not frost-resistant and will die at temperatures below 40F.
Fertilizer
To flourish, the abundantly flowering bidens plant will require nutrient-rich soil.
Fertilizer is especially important if you are growing bidens in a container.
They may need more nutrients as potted plants since nutrients drain away.
In the United States, bidens have native species in every state except Wyoming.
The good news is that most commercially available bidens have been cultivated to avoid the sticky seed problem.
They dont need to be pruned or deadheaded.
However, if it becomes too large, you might prune the plant back in favorable growing conditions.
Also, pinching or cutting back the plant can make it denser and encourage new blooms.
Propagating Bidens
It’s relatively easy to propagate this plant by seed, cuttings, or division.
Cuttings and division extend the lifespan of the plant.
It is best to take cuttings and divide bidens in the spring.
If direct sowing outdoors, wait until after the last frost when temperatures reach at least the 60s.
Potting and Repotting Bidens
Bidens make good potted plants.
This plant may need dividing and repotting every two to three years.
Overwintering
Bidens will die in the winter if temperatures drop below 40F.
They are an annual in frosty regions and must be planted again in the spring.
In zones 8 through 11, it will grow as a perennial.
It will lose its blooms in late fall and winter, but its beautiful foliage remains green all year.
Expect the flowers to return in the spring.
A 2-inch layer of mulch might help ensure they stay hearty.
Botrytis and pythium are common diseases that might affect bidens plants.
The cure is often the use of a broad-spectrum fungicide.
They’ll bloom again when the weather warms up.
There’s no need to deadhead bidens to increase the blooms.
Bloom Months
Bidens typically bloom from May to October.
How Long Does Bidens Bloom?
Blooms usually last about two to three weeks.
They rebloom continuously, returning annually (within zones 8 through 11).
What Does Bidens Flowers Look and Smell Like?
Bidens have a slightly sweet scent favored by bees for their nectar and pollen.
They are related to daisies and look much like them with delicately petalled, star-shaped flower heads.
However, pruning brings bushier growth, likely producing more flowers.
Give fertilizer monthly to keep this plant’s flower production vigorous.
Also, verify this plant has full sun for full bloom potential.
Common Problems With Bidens
Growing virtually all types of bidens is relatively easy.
It’s natural for the plant to die off in the winter if temperatures fall below freezing.
They also don’t bloom as much and look unappealing.
While bidens are popular for gardens and landscaping, they also make an excellent choice for container gardening.
The abundant foliage and flowers are well-suited to flower boxes or hanging planters.
In warm areas, bidens can live for 3 to 10 years.
A sunny windowsill will work wonders for this plant.
Bdens are considered an excellent choice for aspiller plant.
Global Invasive Species Database.
Nodding beggarticks (Bidens cernua).
Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center.
Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.
