With its bright, daisy-like blooms in sunny colors like yellow, red and orange, tickseed (Coreopsis spp.) is a favorite perennial in many gardens. This tough, adaptable plant thrives in a range of conditions, providing cheerful flowers for cutting and naturalizing. But exactly how tall does tickseed grow when properly cared for?
Typical Tickseed Height
Most tickseed varieties reach a mature height between 2-4 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide Some compact types may stay under 2 feet, while taller selections can potentially reach up to 5 feet.
Overall, the average well-grown tickseed will top out anywhere from 24 inches to 48 inches in height. This makes them a great mid-range height to add appealing color that won’t get lost behind other plants.
When shopping for tickseed, check the estimated mature height for the specific variety. This will give you an idea of how tall that selection will get in your growing conditions. Terms like dwarf, tall and threadleaf can give clues to the size.
Here are some popular tickseed varieties and their typical heights:
- Moonbeam: 18-24 inches
- Early Sunrise: 24-36 inches
- Zagreb: 10-12 inches
- Big Bang: 36-40 inches
- Threadleaf Coreopsis: 8-18 inches
- Calliopsis: 8-48 inches depending on variety
So as you can see, there is quite a range in potential heights within the Coreopsis genus. Pick shorter types like Zagreb for the front of borders, taller Big Bang for cutting, and mid-height Moonbeam to fill casual cottage garden space.
Achieving Maximum Tickseed Height
To reach their full height potential, tickseed needs the right growing conditions. Here are some tips to help your plants thrive and achieve their maximum size:
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Sun: Grow tickseed in full sun. At least 6 hours of direct sun per day is best. More sun equals more blooms and vigor.
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Soil: Plant in average to sandy, well-drained soil. Avoid heavy, boggy soil. Amend clay soils with compost to improve drainage.
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Space: Allow 1-2 feet between plants so air can circulate. Crowding causes stretch and floppiness.
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Water: Keep soil evenly moist but not saturated. Too much water can lead to rot.
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Fertilizer: Use a balanced organic fertilizer or compost in early spring. Avoid high nitrogen that promotes foliage over flowers.
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Deadheading: Regularly deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming.
Meeting these ideal growing conditions will set your tickseed up for success. The plants will grow steadily to reach their full genetic potential height.
Factors that Influence Height
While genetics primarily determine tickseed height, certain factors can modify it to some degree:
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Insufficient sun can cause leggy, weaker growth that fails to fill out properly.
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Crowding makes plants compete for light and grow lanky as they reach for sunshine.
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Poor drainage stunts roots and plant growth.
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Underwatering causes drought stress and dwarfed plants.
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Overwatering can rot roots and limit growth.
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Late spring frosts may damage young growth and set back vigor.
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Pests/diseases put stress on the plant, potentially slowing development.
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Lack of deadheading allows plants to go to seed early and stop flowering/growing.
Managing these environmental factors is key to maximizing a tickseed’s height potential.
Best Uses Based on Height
One of the great aspects of tickseed is its diversity of sizes that each lend themselves to certain uses:
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Short varieties under 1 foot work nicely in rock gardens, edge plantings, and containers.
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Medium 1-3 foot sizes shine in perennial borders, cottage gardens, and butterfly gardens.
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Tall types over 3 feet stand out in the rear of beds and are ideal cutting flowers.
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Filler tickseeds in the 1-2 foot range help weave everything together.
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Groundcover tickseeds spread out and bloom like a colorful blanket.
You can mix heights, colors and tickseed forms like threadleaf for an eye-catching display. Space properly and use taller types to anchor beds.
Maintaining Tickseed Plants
Basic maintenance will keep your tickseed going strong season after season:
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Deadhead regularly to promote blooms.
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Cut plants back by half after main flowering.
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Divide congested perennial clumps every 2-3 years.
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Water during drought, avoid wet feet.
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Apply organic fertilizer each spring.
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Remove dead foliage before winter.
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Cut back any damaged parts promptly.
With proper care, your tickseed will continue reaching its expected mature height year after year, blanketing your garden with cheery flowers.
Achieving Maximum Impact
One of the great aspects of tickseed is the diversity of sizes and forms available. You can really play around with height and space tickseeds creatively to make a dramatic statement. Here are some ideas:
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Underplant a taller back border with a Tickseed carpet at front
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Edge a path with a threadleaf Tickseed variety
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Let tall Big Bang tickseed stand alone as specimens
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Contrast tidy clumps of dwarf tickseed with wildflowers
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Combine different heights for visual interest
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Mass together one vibrant Tickseed color for bold effect
With so many choices, you can find just the right tickseed for your needs. Evaluate your site conditions, space available, and desired effect. Then select tickseed varieties that will thrive and make the right visual impact with their mature size. Soon your garden will be glowing with these hardy, floriferous perennials.
What’s the Next Step?
Picked out your plants? View our Resource Guide of garden centers, seed sources, landscapers, education resources, and more!
Where Should I Start?
Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.
Coreopsis – Complete Grow and Care Guide
FAQ
How big do tickseed plants get?
Does tickseed spread?
What are common problems with coreopsis?
Does tickseed come back every year?
How tall does a tickseed grow?
Tickseed can be a perennial or an annual, depending on the variety and where it is grown. These plants love warm weather, but most varieties grow well in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 10. This upright plant can grow to be as tall as four feet, but many varieties are about a foot tall, and they can spread anywhere from 12 to 36 inches.
What does tickseed look like?
Common tickseed has yellow to orange flowers, many with double petals. Some varieties, such as ‘Goldfinch,’ are compact, growing 12 inches or less, while others, including ‘Baby Sun,’ grow 24 inches tall. These plants have lancelet-shaped green leaves and the flowers appear above slender stalks.
How hot can tickseed grow?
However, tickseed can handle some humidity. It also prefers to grow in temperatures between 70- and 80-degrees Fahrenheit. The final things which must be considered in a growing space is space and soil. Tickseed can grow to be as tall as two feet in height.
What color does a tickseed flower bloom?
This flower blooms in yellow, red, pink, white, and even orange. You may also find it labeled as coreopsis in your local nursery. Tickseed can light up your garden with its daisy-like blooms all summer long. In some areas, it can even grow into early fall.
Is tickseed a good flower?
You may also find it labeled as coreopsis in your local nursery. Tickseed can light up your garden with its daisy-like blooms all summer long. In some areas, it can even grow into early fall. Whether you need a splash of color or a flower good for making DIY flower arrangements, tickseed could be for you.
Is tickseed a perennial?
Tickseed is a short-lived perennial and cutting it back all the way to the ground can negatively impact its health, turning it effectively into an annual instead. You’ll want to add a new layer of mulch before wintertime, too. Learn how to prepare coreopsis for winter in our guide.