How much sun does Spanish-needles need?

Spanish-needles grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Spanish-needles bloom?

Spanish-needles blooms in July, August, September, and October.

Where is Spanish-needles native?

Spanish-needles (Bidens bipinnata) is native to AL, AR, AZ, CT and 25 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What pollinators does Spanish-needles attract?

Spanish-needles draws bees, butterflies, and beetles.

Is Spanish-needles HOA-friendly?

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

Spanish-needles

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Bidens bipinnata

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Spanish-needles (Bidens bipinnata) 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.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

12"–36" H × 6"–18" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Native to

AL, AR, AZ, CT and 25 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 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Spanish-needles is a native annual wildflower that produces small yellow flowers from summer through fall. It has finely divided, feathery foliage and grows in an upright, branching form that can self-seed readily in favorable conditions.

In an HOA neighborhood

Spanish-needles 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.

Has a weedy appearance and growth habit
Self-seeds aggressively and can spread rapidly
Common name includes 'needles' which sounds undesirable

Wildlife value

This plant attracts bees, butterflies, and beetles with its abundant small flowers. The seeds also provide food for songbirds in late fall and winter.

Common questions

How much sun does Spanish-needles need?: Spanish-needles grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Spanish-needles bloom?: Spanish-needles blooms in July, August, September, and October.
Where is Spanish-needles native?: Spanish-needles (Bidens bipinnata) is native to AL, AR, AZ, CT and 25 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Spanish-needles attract?: Spanish-needles draws bees, butterflies, and beetles.
Is Spanish-needles HOA-friendly?: Spanish-needles 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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