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 the USDA PLANTS Database 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: June 2026

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

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Chihuahuan Deserts Central Oklahoma/Texas Plains East Central Texas Plains Western Gulf Coastal Plain South Central Plains

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 the USDA PLANTS Database 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 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 Spanish-needles? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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