Light. Full sun is best; it also tolerates partial shade.
Water. It needs moist to wet soil and does poorly in long droughts. Use it at pond and lake edges or in low, damp spots.
Soil and feeding. Grows in sandy, clay or organic soils. It needs some organic matter to thrive.
Size. Grows to about 2 ft. Stems can flop under the weight of flowers and seeds.
Problems to watch. Watch for aphids, spider mites, whiteflies and powdery mildew. It self-seeds and can crowd other plants in small gardens. The barbed seeds stick to clothing and pet fur.
Good to know. A Florida native wildflower with yellow flowers in fall. Bees and butterflies visit the flowers, and birds eat the seeds. It does not tolerate salt wind. Depending on the weather, it acts as an annual or a short-lived perennial.
Sources: Florida Native Plant Society: Bidens laevis · Natives for Your Neighborhood (Institute for Regional Conservation): Bidens laevis · NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Bidens laevis
