How to grow and care for Bidens pilosa L.
plant care guide about watering, fertilizing, trimming, repotting, cutting, propagating Bidens pilosa L., Spanish Needle, Devil's Needles, Farmers Friend, Black-jack, Farmer's friends, Spanish needles
Bidens pilosa L. 101 - Plant Care Instructions
Bright direct light
16C° ~24C°
Every 7 days
Botany Encyclopedia
Genus : Bidens
🔖 Care Tips
Aphids can easily appear, so it's good to regularly check the leaves and stems and use pesticides if found. The best time to plant seeds is from March to May. After planting, do not cover the seeds with soil or cover them lightly, and maintain a temperature of 18-22°C.
🏝️ Habitat Conditions
This plant is found worldwide but primarily grows in America. It thrives in warm, sunny locations.
🪨 Soil Mix
When planting in the yard, ensure proper drainage to prevent water pooling. It's important to plant in well-draining soil. A common mix is 40% potting soil, 20% bark, 20% leaf mold, 10% perlite, and 10% humus. However, the ratio may vary depending on conditions and environment.
🌡️ Environment
The ideal temperature is 15-25°C. In summer, avoid direct sunlight by using a shade cloth or moving the plant to a shaded area. In winter, bring the plant indoors or grow it as an annual.
☀️ Light
Ensure the plant receives plenty of light. It can also tolerate direct sunlight well.
💧 Water
This plant thrives in slightly dry soil. Water it when the inner soil dries out. In summer, when it blooms, water it when the surface soil is dry. Be careful not to get water on the flowers, as they can easily be damaged.
🌱 Propagate
Use sterilized tools to cut the stem at an angle, dry for 3-4 hours, then propagate in soil or water. 1. For water propagation, avoid transparent containers. Place the stem in water, and once roots appear, add hydroponic fertilizer. When roots are 5-7 cm long, transfer to soil. 2. For soil propagation, plant deeply in soil without fertilizer. After propagation, avoid exposing to bright light. Gradually increase light exposure to help the plant adapt. Maintain high humidity and a temperature of 20-25°C. Alternatively, divide the plant every 2-3 years for propagation.
🪴 Repot
Repot in spring every 2-3 years.
💊 Fertilize
Use fertilizer at the recommended amount during spring to summer before the flowers bloom to encourage more vigorous growth.
🌺 Flower
Blooming season is summer (June to August), and the color is yellow.
😵 Toxicity
Non-toxic and safe for pets and children.
water
How to water Bidens pilosa L.
How often should I water?
check Bidens pilosa L. Every 7 days if it needs water when it’s very cold (below 5℃), water less frequently
When do I need to water?
the top 2-3 inches of soil is dry
When is the Dormant period?
it goes into dormancy in the Winter. during the period, 1.5~2x the watering interval you use in the warm season.
Light & Location
How much light does a Bidens pilosa L. need?
Bright direct light
Grow light
Light preference
Bidens pilosa L. likes Bright direct light, Grow light day. The brighter the space, the better this plant grows.
Check if there’s an optimal place in your house!
This plant prefers
2K ~ 20K lux to thrive!
0
20K~
2K
20K
Temperature
Natural habitat
-15
3~40℃
45
Houseplants
-15
16~24℃
45
Plants that grow in the wild and those that grow indoors prefer different temperatures. If you grow Bidens pilosa L. at home, make sure the temperature is 16~24℃.
Humidity
Ideal humidity
0
40~70%
100
Bidens pilosa L. prefers humidity about 40~70%. If necessary, increase humidity by misting, humidifier.
Fertilize
Collective Knowhow
When should I fertilize?
Only when your plant is healthy
How frequently should I fertilize?
1-2 times in growing season. A pinch for a small pot.
Characteristic
The taxonomic classification of Bidens pilosa L. is as follows. - Kingdom: Plantae, Phylum: Tracheophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Asterales, Family: Asteraceae, Genus: Bidens, Species: Bidens pilosa
| Characteristic Name | Characteristic Value |
|---|---|
| Lifespan | Annual, Perennial |
| Taxonomy Name | Taxonomy Value |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Asterales |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Genus | Bidens |
| Species | Bidens pilosa |
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