Photo: No machine-readable author provided. C.Maylett assumed (based on copyright claims).CC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Plains coreopsis Plant Care
Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Plains coreopsis, garden tickseed, golden tickseed, or calliopsis, Coreopsis tinctoria, is an annual forb. The plant is common in Canada (from Quebec to British Columbia), northeast Mexico (Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas), and much of the United States, especially the Great Plains and Southern states where it is often called "calliopsis." The species is also widely cultivated and naturalized in China.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Plains coreopsis?
Water Plains coreopsis every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Plains coreopsis?
Plains coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Coreopsis genus. Plains coreopsis is also known as Golden coreopsis, Calliopsis, Annual coreopsis.
Plains coreopsis displays an upright, bushy perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Plains coreopsis produces daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow, pink, or red.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Plains coreopsis?
Coreopsis tinctoria requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Plains coreopsis Need?
Plains coreopsis thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Plains coreopsis Prefer?
Coreopsis tinctoria grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Plains coreopsis prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Plains coreopsis?
Well-draining sandy loam with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Plains coreopsis to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Plains coreopsis?
Feed Plains coreopsis every 6 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 6 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 Plains coreopsis?
Divide and replant every 2-3 years in early 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 Plains coreopsis?
Plains coreopsis can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to desert coreopsis plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Plains coreopsis Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Plains coreopsis, 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 Plains coreopsis?
Plains coreopsis is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, leaf miners. 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 Plains coreopsis Need?
Plains coreopsis grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Plains coreopsis as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Plains coreopsis 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 Coreopsis genus — compare its care with other Coreopsis species on PlantoScan.
Coreopsis is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Plains coreopsis thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Coreopsis Species
Other Coreopsis species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt., family Asteraceae (first published in J. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia ii. (1821) 114.) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Plains coreopsis, 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: No machine-readable author provided. C.Maylett assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, 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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