Beggarticks.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Annual or short lived perennial

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

3 to 5 feet

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 9 to 11

Bloom time

Year round in warm climates

Care

This plant prefers full sun and well drained soil to stay healthy. Keep an eye out for aphids or whiteflies during the warmer months. It is very drought tolerant once established in your garden.

Watering

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Feeding

Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer sparingly during the active growing season.

Pruning

Trim back stems to encourage bushier growth and prevent excessive seeding.

Repotting

Repot only if the plant becomes root bound in its container.

Soil

Well draining sandy or loamy soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.5

Temperature

5 to 35°C

Humidity

40 to 80%

Drought tolerance

High

Lifespan

Short lived perennial, often treated as an annual.

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

It is generally considered non toxic to humans.

Children

The small, barbed seeds can easily stick to clothing and skin, which might be annoying for small children.

Contact allergens

Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from handling the stems.

Airborne allergens

The pollen can trigger mild reactions in sensitive individuals.

Edibility

While young leaves are sometimes eaten, they can be bitter and are not widely considered a culinary staple.

How to identify it

• Daisy like white flower heads
• Yellow central disk florets
• Opposite lance shaped leaves
• Small hooked seeds that stick
• Square stems

Height

0.3 to 1m

Spread

0.3 to 0.9m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

white, yellow, 2 to 4cm

Fruit

black, year round

Problems to watch for

• AphidsCommon
• Powdery MildewCommon
• DehydrationUncommon
• Leaf SpotUncommon
• Root RotUncommon
• Spider MitesUncommon
• ThripsUncommon
• WhiteflyUncommon

Growing it

Propagation

seed, cuttings

When to plant

spring, summer, fall

Overwintering

In colder areas, it will die back with the first frost. You can collect seeds in the fall to replant in the spring.

In containers

It grows well in pots, but ensure the container is at least 30 cm wide to accommodate its rapid growth.

Plant this in a container or a contained area to prevent it from taking over your entire garden bed.

Grows well with

• Lantana · They share similar environmental needs and attract a wide range of pollinators.
• Salvia · The contrasting flower shapes create a nice visual display.

Similar species

• Beggarticks · It is a close relative with similar seed dispersal mechanisms.

Science

Family

Asteraceae

Genus

Bidens

Order

Asterales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Tropical and subtropical Americas.

Conservation

It is not of conservation concern and is often viewed as an invasive species in tropical regions.

It thrives in disturbed soils and open areas where it can quickly colonize through prolific seed dispersal.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, larval host plant

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, moths

Uses

pollinator garden, wildflower meadow, ground cover

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is this plant invasive?

Yes, it spreads very quickly by seed and can become a nuisance in gardens.

Does it need much water?

It is quite drought tolerant once established.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Bidens comes from Latin for two teeth, referring to the two barbs on the seeds. The species name alba refers to the white petals.

Good to know

• The seeds have tiny hooks that help them hitchhike on animal fur.
• It is a very important nectar source for honeybees.
• The flowers are often called Spanish needles.

Also in

• Drought-tolerant plants