How much sun does Nodding Beggar-ticks need?

Nodding Beggar-ticks grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Nodding Beggar-ticks bloom?

Nodding Beggar-ticks blooms in July, August, September, and October.

Where is Nodding Beggar-ticks native?

Nodding Beggar-ticks (Bidens cernua) is native to AL, AR, AZ, CA and 40 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

Is Nodding Beggar-ticks toxic to livestock?

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

What pollinators does Nodding Beggar-ticks attract?

Nodding Beggar-ticks draws bees, butterflies, and beetles.

Is Nodding Beggar-ticks HOA-friendly?

Nodding 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.

Nodding Beggar-ticks

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Bidens cernua

Last reviewed: September 2026

Toxicity unknown

Nodding Beggar-ticks (Bidens cernua) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

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

Light

full sun

Water

high

Size

12"–40" H × 6"–18" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Native to

AL, AR, AZ, CA and 40 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, beetles

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Central Great Plains Great Plains Ozark Highlands Central Irregular Plains Northwestern Glaciated Plains Northwestern Great Plains Northern Glaciated Plains Western Corn Belt Plains Northern Forests Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Driftless Area Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains Central Corn Belt Plains Eastern Corn Belt Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Huron/Erie Lake Plains Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Allegheny Plateau Erie Drift Plain Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Central Appalachians Western Allegheny Plateau Interior Plateau Interior River Valleys and Hills Acadian Plains and Hills Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Nodding beggar-ticks is a native annual wildflower that produces bright yellow daisy-like flowers from mid-summer through fall. This moisture-loving plant thrives in wet soils and can spread moderately in favorable conditions. The seeds have barbed appendages that stick to clothing and fur, which aids in natural dispersal.

In an HOA neighborhood

Nodding 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.

Seeds stick to clothing and pets
Can spread aggressively in moist areas
May be perceived as a weed by neighbors

Wildlife value

This plant is valuable for late-season pollinators including native bees, butterflies, and beetles when other flowers are scarce. The seeds also provide food for birds, particularly finches and sparrows.

Common questions

How much sun does Nodding Beggar-ticks need?: Nodding Beggar-ticks grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Nodding Beggar-ticks bloom?: Nodding Beggar-ticks blooms in July, August, September, and October.
Where is Nodding Beggar-ticks native?: Nodding Beggar-ticks (Bidens cernua) is native to AL, AR, AZ, CA and 40 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
Is Nodding Beggar-ticks toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Nodding Beggar-ticks as toxic to livestock.
What pollinators does Nodding Beggar-ticks attract?: Nodding Beggar-ticks draws bees, butterflies, and beetles.
Is Nodding Beggar-ticks HOA-friendly?: Nodding 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 vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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