Photo: Kristian Peters -- Fabelfroh 11:10, 21 October 2007 (UTC)CC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Nodding Bur Marigold Plant Care
Bidens cernua L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Bidens cernua, also known as nodding beggarticks, is a charming native wildflower with delicate yellow flowers that droop gracefully from its slender stems. Its fern-like leaves and cheerful appearance make it a lovely addition to any garden or natural landscape.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Nodding Bur Marigold?
Water Nodding Bur Marigold every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season.
What Is the Nodding Bur Marigold?
Nodding Bur Marigold (Bidens cernua) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Bidens genus. Nodding Bur Marigold is native to North America, South America. Nodding Bur Marigold is also known as Nodding Beggarticks, Nodding Sticktight, Bidens cernua.
Nodding Bur Marigold displays an upright, branching annual growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Nodding Bur Marigold produces small, daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow, orange, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Nodding Bur Marigold?
Bidens cernua requires watering every 3–5 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 3–5 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Nodding Bur Marigold Need?
Nodding Bur Marigold thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Nodding Bur Marigold Prefer?
Bidens cernua grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Nodding Bur Marigold prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Nodding Bur Marigold?
Well-draining soil with high organic content, such as loam or sandy loam. Good drainage is essential for Nodding Bur Marigold to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Nodding Bur Marigold?
Feed Nodding Bur Marigold every 4 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 4 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Nodding Bur Marigold?
Annually in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Nodding Bur Marigold?
Nodding Bur Marigold can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to spanish needles plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Nodding Bur Marigold Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Nodding Bur Marigold, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Nodding Bur Marigold?
Nodding Bur Marigold is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Nodding Bur Marigold Need?
Nodding Bur Marigold grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Nodding Bur Marigold is native to North America, South America. In cooler regions, grow Nodding Bur Marigold as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Nodding Bur Marigold is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Bidens genus — compare its care with other Bidens species on PlantoScan.
Bidens is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Nodding Bur Marigold thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Bidens Species
Other Bidens species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Bidens cernua L., family Asteraceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 832 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Nodding Bur Marigold, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Kristian Peters -- Fabelfroh 11:10, 21 October 2007 (UTC), CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Nodding Bur Marigold Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species