Coreopsis
Coreopsis verticillata
Family Asteraceae
Threadleaf coreopsis holds a golden haze over ferny foliage for three months on poor soil, drought, and outright neglect — the closest thing perennial beds have to a no-input flower. A native, at that, blooming summer into fall when borders start running out of ideas.
Front-of-border sized at one to two feet and hardy zones 3 through 9, it thrives on dry slopes and hot banks the hose never reaches, with bees in steady attendance. Winter-wet feet are its only enemy. Line a dry edge with it and cross that bed off the worry list.
Full Sun
Low water
Moderate growth
Native to North America
Attracts bees
From the print shop
Growing coreopsis? Hang it.
Our Plant Library collection carries coreopsis — Coreopsis verticillata, print Nº 128, “Coreopsis.”
526 designsfrom $12.99white or black backgroundmatte poster, unframed
Will it thrive where you are?
Enter your ZIP — we look up your USDA hardiness zone (2023 map) and check it against what coreopsis actually needs.
Hardy inZones 3-9Coreopsis · Common problems
Common coreopsis problems
Pests
1 problem on file
- Almost none
Diseases
3 problems on file
- Crown Rot in wet clay
- Septoria Leaf Spot
- Aster Yellows
Coreopsis · Growing & propagation
Growing coreopsis
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low
Thrives in dry banks
Soil- Lean, well-drained · pH 5.5 - 6.5
Fertilizer- None
Feeding flops it
Pruning- Spring
Shear the whole plant by half when the first flush fades — full rebloom in 3 weeks.
Spacing- 15-18 in
How to plant & propagate coreopsis
- Propagate
- Division or seed
Coreopsis · Calculators & field guides
A little help in the garden.
Coreopsis · Yearly calendar
The coreopsis year, month by month
Jan
No calendar activity is listed for this month.
BloomPruneBloomJune to September
PruneMarch to May
What each band means
- Bloom — flowers open — pollinators working, frost on blossoms is the danger.
- Prune — shape it now — cuts heal cleanly and structure is visible.
These are the species' typical months — expect them a few weeks earlier in warm zones and later in cold ones. Watch the plant, not just the calendar.
Coreopsis · Ecology & uses
Ecology & uses
Coreopsis verticillata
Coreopsis in the garden system
- Herbaceous layer perennial
- Nectary/insectary
Attracts- Bees
Habitat- Dry/rocky
Moisture- Wetland / wet-tolerant
Deer- Browsed
Protect young plants
- Origin
- Native to North America
What coreopsis is grown for
✓ Not known to be toxic
Use- Front borders
- Use
- Dry slopes
- Use
- Native gardens
Edibility, identification, and traditional-use notes here are general reference — not medical or veterinary advice, and not a claim that any plant treats or prevents anything. Medicinal ratings record how strongly a plant features in herbal tradition, nothing more. Never eat or dose a plant you have not positively identified. More on how to use this library.
Coreopsis · Varieties & cultivars
Choosing a coreopsis variety
'Moonbeam' (soft yellow legend); 'Zagreb' (golden, tougher); 'UpTick' series
Sources & plant identity
Know what you’re growing.
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Coreopsis
Coreopsis verticillata
The plant, at a glance.
- Botanical name
- Coreopsis verticillata
- Plant family
- Asteraceae
- Growth habit
- Perennial
- Origin
- Native to North America
- USDA plant symbol
- COVE5
- Invasive risk
- Low
Hardiness, size and timing vary with your cultivar, soil and climate.
Rooted in research.
University extension research, brought together with hands-on growing experience at Story Thyme Farms.
Questions
Coreopsis questions, answered straight.
Is coreopsis safe for kids and pets?
Coreopsis is commonly eaten and isn't considered toxic, but "commonly eaten" isn't a guarantee for any particular person or animal — allergies, quantity, and which part you eat all matter. Never eat a plant you haven't positively identified, and check with a vet before letting pets or livestock graze anything new.
How do you propagate coreopsis?
Division or seed.
Elsewhere
Where coreopsis sits in the library.
Sunflower
Zinnia
Peony
Daylily