When does Bidens frondosa bloom?

Bidens frondosa blooms from July through October, producing small yellow flower heads that attract various pollinators.

What pollinators visit Beggar-ticks?

Bidens frondosa attracts bees, butterflies, and beetles. The small composite flowers provide nectar and pollen for these beneficial insects.

Where is Bidens frondosa native?

Beggar-ticks is native to most U.S. states from coast to coast, including the Southeast, Midwest, Northeast, Great Plains, and parts of the West.

What growing conditions does Bidens frondosa prefer?

This adaptable plant tolerates full sun to partial sun and grows in wet to moderately dry soils, making it suitable for various garden conditions.

Is Beggar-ticks toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Beggar-ticks as toxic to livestock.

Is Beggar-ticks HOA-friendly?

Beggar-ticks takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Beggar-ticks

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Bidens frondosa

Last reviewed: June 2026

Bidens frondosa (Beggar-ticks) is a native annual forb found throughout most of the United States that blooms from July through October. This adaptable wildflower attracts bees, butterflies, and beetles while thriving in various moisture conditions.

Beggar-ticks (Bidens frondosa) — Photo: Cbaile19 / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Beggar-ticks as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

12"–48" H × 6"–24" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Native to

AL, AR, AZ, CA and 43 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, beetles

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Sierra Nevada Central California Valley Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Southern California Mountains Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range Central Oklahoma/Texas Plains Edwards Plateau Texas Blackland Prairies East Central Texas Plains South Central Plains

Beggar-ticks is a native annual wildflower that produces small yellow daisy-like flowers from summer through fall. The plant has an upright, branching habit and is known for its prolific blooming period that extends well into autumn.

Growing Beggar-ticks

Grow Beggar-ticks in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 12 to 48 inches tall and spread 6 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Beggar-ticks takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Very weedy appearance
Seeds stick aggressively to clothing and pets
Can spread readily and look unkempt

Wildlife value

Host plant for silver checkerspot butterfly.

This plant is valuable for late-season pollinators including native bees, butterflies, and beetles when few other flowers are available. The seeds also provide food for birds in fall and winter.

Common questions

When does Bidens frondosa bloom?: Bidens frondosa blooms from July through October, producing small yellow flower heads that attract various pollinators.
What pollinators visit Beggar-ticks?: Bidens frondosa attracts bees, butterflies, and beetles. The small composite flowers provide nectar and pollen for these beneficial insects.
Where is Bidens frondosa native?: Beggar-ticks is native to most U.S. states from coast to coast, including the Southeast, Midwest, Northeast, Great Plains, and parts of the West.
What growing conditions does Bidens frondosa prefer?: This adaptable plant tolerates full sun to partial sun and grows in wet to moderately dry soils, making it suitable for various garden conditions.
Is Beggar-ticks toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Beggar-ticks as toxic to livestock.
Is Beggar-ticks HOA-friendly?: Beggar-ticks takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Ready to grow Beggar-ticks? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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