Photo: Kurt Stüber [1]CC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Fennel-leaf Bidens Plant Care
Bidens ferulifolia (Jacq.) Sweet
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Bidens ferulifolia is a North American plant species in the family Asteraceae. Common names include Apache beggarticks and fern-leaved beggarticks.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Fennel-leaf Bidens?
Water Fennel-leaf Bidens 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 Fennel-leaf Bidens?
Fennel-leaf Bidens (Bidens ferulifolia) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Bidens genus. Fennel-leaf Bidens is also known as Fennelleaf Beggarticks, Fernleaf Beggarticks, Bidens arguta.
Fennel-leaf Bidens displays an upright, branching annual growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Fennel-leaf Bidens produces small, daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow, orange, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Fennel-leaf Bidens?
Bidens ferulifolia 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 Fennel-leaf Bidens Need?
Fennel-leaf Bidens thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Fennel-leaf Bidens Prefer?
Bidens ferulifolia grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Fennel-leaf Bidens prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Fennel-leaf Bidens?
Well-draining soil with high organic content, such as loam or sandy loam. Good drainage is essential for Fennel-leaf Bidens to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Fennel-leaf Bidens?
Feed Fennel-leaf Bidens 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 Fennel-leaf Bidens?
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 Fennel-leaf Bidens?
Fennel-leaf Bidens can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to spanish needles plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Fennel-leaf Bidens Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Fennel-leaf Bidens, 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 Fennel-leaf Bidens?
Fennel-leaf Bidens 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 Fennel-leaf Bidens Need?
Fennel-leaf Bidens grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Fennel-leaf Bidens as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Fennel-leaf Bidens 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.
Fennel-leaf Bidens 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 ferulifolia (Jacq.) Sweet, family Asteraceae (first published in Hort. Brit. [Sweet], ed. 2. 311. 1830) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Fennel-leaf Bidens, 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: Kurt Stüber [1], 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.
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