Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Coreopsis
Species: Coreopsis verticillata L.
General: Threadleaf Coreopsis, Whorled Coreopsis
North America: Threadleaf Tickseed
Horticulture Trade: Threadleaf Coreopsis, Tickseed Coreopsis
Coreopsis verticillata is a fine-textured, long-blooming perennial prized for its airy foliage and abundant, cheerful flowers. The plant produces masses of bright, daisy-like blooms—typically golden yellow, though cultivated varieties range from pale lemon to deep gold and red-eyed bicolors—held on slender stems well above the foliage.
The defining feature is its threadlike, whorled leaves, which give the plant a soft, almost feathery appearance. This delicate texture contrasts beautifully with bolder garden plants and allows threadleaf coreopsis to move gracefully in wind, lending a natural, meadow-like feel to landscapes.
Blooming typically begins in early summer and, with deadheading, can continue well into late summer or early fall.
Native to:
Typical native habitats include:
It is now widely cultivated and naturalized across much of North America and other temperate regions.
Light: Full sun is ideal; tolerates light shade but flowers best with 6+ hours of sun.
Temperature: Highly cold-hardy; thrives in temperate climates and tolerates winter freezes.
Humidity: Low to moderate; prefers good air circulation.
Water: Low to moderate; drought-tolerant once established. Overwatering reduces longevity.
Soil: Well-drained soils are essential; tolerates poor, sandy, or rocky soils and dislikes heavy, wet clay.
Growth Habit:
Forms loose, mounded clumps with fine-textured foliage, typically 1–3 feet tall and wide, depending on cultivar and site conditions.
Despite its delicate appearance, threadleaf coreopsis is remarkably tough. Its tolerance for drought, heat, and poor soils made it a favorite of early American gardeners—and its ability to flower profusely under minimal care helped establish Coreopsis as one of the most widely planted native perennials in North America.