Also known as Beggarticks · 9 saves
Bidens
Bidens, the genus most gardeners know as beggarticks. We track 5 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 5 most-saved Bidens varieties
3 species of Bidens
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Bidens in Sow
Save the Bidens you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Bidens
Whats common across all Bidens varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 5 most-grown of them.
The Bidens year
- PlantApril and May80% of varieties
Plant transplants after the danger of frost has passed.
- DeadheadJuly–October60% of varieties
Remove spent flowers to maintain tidy appearance and encourage new buds.
- Check for PestsJune–August60% of varieties
Inspect foliage for aphids and spider mites during hot, dry weather.
- Pinch TipsMay40% of varieties
Pinch back young tips to promote bushier, more compact growth.
- FertilizeJune–August40% of varieties
Use balanced liquid fertilizer monthly, especially for container plants.
- Spring CleanupMarch40% of varieties
Clear away dead winter debris from the previous year's annual growth.
Do
- Water regularly during dry spells 💧
- Deadhead to prolong blooming
- Apply balanced fertilizer monthly
- Mulch to conserve moisture
- Grow in poor, well-drained soils to encourage compact, self-supporting growth.
Avoid
- Overwater to prevent root rot ❌
- Neglect pruning after flowering ❌
- Use high-nitrogen fertilizer late in season ❌
- Allow soil to become compacted ❌
What goes wrong with Bidens
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on foliage and stippled, yellowing leaves under hot, dry conditions. | Increase humidity around the plant and spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil. |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing on the undersides of leaves accompanied by pale, speckled stippling on the upper foliage. | Increase humidity around the plant and spray the foliage thoroughly with water or neem oil to disrupt the breeding cycle. |
| Deer and rabbits | Chewed stems and foliage, particularly on tender new growth. | Protect young plants with physical barriers or apply scent-based repellents. |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and spray with fungicide |
| Powdery Mildew | A white, dusty fungal coating on the surfaces of the leaves, typically appearing in late summer. | Ensure adequate spacing between plants to improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering. |
| Root Rot | Wilting, yellowing foliage and mushy, blackened roots, occurring in waterlogged soils. | Improve soil drainage and reduce watering frequency; discard severely affected plants as they cannot be saved. |
Making more Bidens
Seed
- Collect the mature, dark brown barbed seeds from the plant in late fall.
- Store the seeds in a cool, dry location over winter.
- Sow directly onto the soil surface in spring when soil temperatures warm.
- Press lightly into the soil but do not bury deeply, as light aids germination.
seed
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring for best germination.
- Keep soil consistently moist until seedlings emerge, approximately 2-3 weeks.
Bidens questions
How many types of Bidens are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 5 distinct Bidens varieties. The most popular — ranked by 9 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Bidens grow in?
Across its varieties, Bidens covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Bidens bloom?
Most Bidens varieties bloom in summer to fall, summer, mid-summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Bidens should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.