Coreopsis plants, with their botanical name Coreopsis spp., and more widely known as tickseed, are native to North and Central America. To plant and grow Coreopsis is not difficult. So, no matter if you are an experienced or novice gardener, you can bring the colour your garden needs during summer with this low-maintenance plant. The blooms’ bright yellow, orange, or red colour will definitely be a show-stopper addition to your backyard.
There aren’t many restrictions when it comes to the soil type Coreopsis needs. From poor, sandy to rocky soils, the tickseed plant is not too pretentious. As long as the soil is kept well-drained, not many other conditions need to be met. This is one of the reasons why this is an excellent plant for beginner gardeners. Whether you plant it in pots or containers, in flower beds, or keep them in a vase, Coreopsis is a must-have.
Not only is Coreopsis a simple yet beautiful plant when its flowers are in bloom, but it can also be useful, as you can consume it as tea.
If you are interested in knowing more about tickseed, keep reading to discover interesting facts!
About Coreopsis
- Apart from being called tickseed because of the plant’s round seeds that resemble ticks, Coreopsis is also known as “pot of gold”.
- Coreopsis belongs to the Asteraceae family, alongside daisies, Liatris spicata or gayfeather, and coneflowers, which are herbaceous perennial plants as well. This is interesting to know, given that these plants’ flowers are not too similar.
- The plant’s scientific name comes from the Greek words “koris” meaning “bedbug,” and “opsis” which translates to “view”. This name and the tickseed nickname refer to the coreopsis seeds, which resemble bed bugs or ticks.
- Coreopsis has an entirely different meaning from its scientific one in the floral dictionary. The plant’s name means “always cheerful”. The coreopsis plant makes a wonderful gift with such a beautiful meaning and stunning flowers.
- Tickseed flowers attract various types of wildlife, such as bees and butterflies, to pollinate the plant. Interestingly, birds enjoy eating the coreopsis seeds.
- The ideal season for the coreopsis flowers to bloom is in June and will remain this way until the first frost hits.
- If you choose to dry the coreopsis plant, you can consume it as tea, which is known to be a beneficial and healthy body cleanser. The coreopsis tea is also a great coffee substitute.
Coreopsis Features: An Overview
- Usually, coreopsis plants are known for their golden and rich yellow flowers, which is why the plant is referred to as “pot of gold”. However, the tickseed flowers can come in red, orange, and light pink. The latter is typical for the coreopsis rosea species.
- When it comes to colour, a notable mention would also be the dual combination present in particular coreopsis flowers. Instead of one shade, these flowers have a contrasting dark tone in the middle and a light one on the rest of the petals.
- The coreopsis foliage can differ from one species to another, with large and showy leaves to narrow ones of a fine texture. With their bright-coloured flowers, coreopsis plants are utterly gorgeous.
- Coreopsis is a plant that can reach incredible heights. More specifically, a tickseed plant can grow 16 to even 48 inches (40 to 120 cm). Now, imagine how beautiful your garden would look in the summer with 20 or 40-inch Coreopsis planted in beds or containers.
Growing Coreopsis
Before you start growing Coreopsis, it is of the utmost importance to know that this plant needs full sun exposure. This crucial piece of information will help you search for a location where your tickseed plant can enjoy direct sunlight for at least six hours daily. Partial shade is not recommended, as it doesn’t help the growing process. However, a bit of shade in the afternoon won’t do it any harm. In fact, it could be beneficial for the coreopsis plant during hot summers.
You can begin growing tickseed in spring after there is no risk of winter frost. Hence, the ideal season is March, but you can sow the seeds in April as well. Coreopsis is a herbaceous perennial plant, regrowing every year during spring and blooming in the summer months. Coreopsis is also an annual plant, which means it completes its life cycle in a year.
If you want to grow annual Coreopsis, you should expect a broader colour range than the perennial counterpart, which mainly blooms yellow flowers. There are no differences when it comes to growing annual coreopsis plants. They also require full sun exposure and well-drained soil, and you can easily grow them both from seeds in spring after the last frost. Alternatively, you could grow Coreopsis inside, too, by sowing seeds around six weeks before the estimated last frost date.
- Red Coreopsis Plains Flower Seeds produce vibrant red flowers with yellow centers, adding a pop of color to any garden or landscape.
- These seeds are easy to grow, making them suitable for both beginner and experienced gardeners alike.
- The flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, contributing to a healthy ecosystem in your garden.
- Red Coreopsis Plains Flower Seeds are drought-tolerant once established, requiring minimal watering once they've taken root.
- With proper care, these flowers will bloom profusely throughout the growing season, providing long-lasting beauty and enjoyment.
- Hardy Perennials: Coreopsis plains seeds grow into durable perennials known for their resilience in various climates, particularly thriving in full sun and well-drained soils.
- Vibrant Blooms: These plants produce bright, daisy-like flowers typically in shades of yellow and gold, which bloom profusely from late spring through summer, attracting pollinators.
- Low Maintenance: Ideal for gardeners of all skill levels, Coreopsis plains require minimal care, with only occasional watering and pruning needed to promote continuous blooming.
- Ecological Benefits: They support local wildlife by providing nectar for butterflies and bees, and their seeds are favored by birds, enhancing garden biodiversity.
- Quality: All seeds packaged by Seed Needs are intended for the current and the following growing seasons. All seeds are stored in a temperature controlled facility that is free of significant amounts of moisture.
- NATIVE LANCE LEAF TICKSEED SEEDS: Heirloom non-GMO open-pollinated Coreopsis lanceolata North American native wildflower seeds with high germination rates; adapted to USDA zones 4-9
- POLLINATOR FRIENDLY: Lance-leaved coreopsis supports native bees, butterflies, and songbirds; drought-tolerant perennial creates essential habitat while thriving in extreme heat, humidity, and dry conditions once established
- BRILLIANT GOLDEN YELLOW BLOOMS on compact 18 inch plants late spring through midsummer; thrives in full sun with natural deer resistance; perfect for prairie restoration, wildflower meadows, xeriscaping, and pollinator gardens; self-seeds for expanding displays
- DETAILED GROWING INFORMATION: Paper seed packets include clear planting instructions, germination tips, and seed-saving info, great for beginner or experienced gardeners growing vegetables, herbs, flowers, or native plants
- TRUSTED USA SEED COMPANY: Family-owned business providing heirloom, non-GMO, open-pollinated seeds; always fresh, untreated, rigorously tested, and expertly packed for long-term storage and guaranteed gardener success across all experience levels
Last update on 2025-08-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Planting Coreopsis
The coreopsis plant is easy to grow, plant, and maintain. The proper seasons to plant Coreopsis are spring, summer, or fall, depending on when you want the flowers to bloom. For a superb summer garden, you should plant it during spring, not later than June. If you decide to plant Coreopsis during summer, it is crucial to be careful about watering. This should be done until the plant is established.
Depending on the variety, the ideal space you should leave between each plant is 15 to 20 inches (40 to 50 cm). This will allow enough room between them, avoiding the foliage and flowers being overcrowded. The coreopsis seeds should be planted at about 1 or 2 inches deep in the ground. When planting, it is vital that the soil is kept moist to support the plant’s growth.
The ideal soil type for Coreopsis, or tickseed, is a well-drained loamy or sandy soil, with its pH in the 6.5 to 7.5 interval. Even though a fairly neutral soil is preferred, the good news about Coreopsis is that it isn’t the type of plant to be too particular about the soil type. As long as the soil is well-drained and moisture is maintained, Coreopsis can be planted in rocky, sandy, or clay soils, given the plant is drought tolerant when established. However, if you plant it in heavy soil, adding compost could be necessary. This method helps with drainage.
Watering Coreopsis
As mentioned earlier, Coreopsis is a drought-tolerant plant once it is established. However, watering should still be done fairly regularly to ensure that soil moisture is maintained and that the flowers bloom abundantly. If the soil dries out heavily, you should water the plant around an inch down in the soil. Sogginess should be avoided at all times, but moisture is highly important for Coreopsis to survive.
Coreopsis is a sun-loving herbaceous perennial that does best in moist yet well-drained soils, just like daisies or daylilies. The most suitable time to water Coreopsis is the morning before the sun is strongest. Do not forget that this is a plant that needs direct sunlight with a bit of shade permitted in the afternoon.
Propagating Coreopsis
You can propagate Coreopsis by seed, division, or cuttings. So, it is a matter of personal choice how you decide to propagate the plant. Any method you choose is fairly simple, so novice gardeners shouldn’t worry about this part. If you decide to propagate Coreopsis by seed, the same rules apply. You will need to sow the seeds in well-drained soil that meets the required moist conditions in a warm environment. It takes roughly two or three weeks for these seeds to germinate.
In order to divide the plant for propagation, a first noteworthy mention would be to do this during spring or early fall. An initial step is to dig up a clump from an already established coreopsis plant of a few years old. These mature plants have grown clumps of proper sizes, making them great to propagate. Be careful not to harm the root; this should be kept intact. With a gardening trowel, you can carefully split the clump and divide it into smaller sections, each containing its own roots, ready for planting.
The following steps are similar to planting Coreopsis for the first time. You need to choose a suitable location for the tickseed plant. This means a place with full sun exposure and well-drained soil. Until the propagated Coreopsis is established, it is necessary you water it regularly. The first signs of growth won’t be visible until several weeks later.
Last but not least, you can propagate Coreopsis from cutting. Cut a four to six-inch piece from a healthy stem, and remove its leaves, apart from the ones grown at the top. In a pot of perlite, plant the cutting and place this pot in a location where the plant can receive direct sunlight. It is crucial you maintain the soil moisture all the time. You can replant the Coreopsis once the roots have been established.
In Conclusion
For a wonderful garden in the summer, you should definitely start growing Coreopsis, an annual and perennial plant. Thanks to the tickseed plant being so low maintenance, it makes it an excellent choice for any individual who is still a newcomer to the gardening world. Coreopsis doesn’t have many complicated requirements, nor is it an intimidating plant. As long as it has full sun exposure and well-drained yet moist soil, it will grow to be a gorgeous flower plant in your summer garden.
If you have already planted Coreopsis in your backyard, let us know in the comments how the experience has been so far!
