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Native Plant Society of Texas

Common Coreopsis

Coreopsis grandiflora

Other common name(s):

Largeflower Tickseed, Large-flower Tickseed, Bigflower Coreopsis

Family:

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

East Central Texas Plains, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, Northern Post Oak Savanna, Northern Prairie Outliers, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

1
to
3
ft.

Spread

1
to
3
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Clay, Gravelly, Rocky, Well Drained, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host, Flowers

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Small Mammals, Nectar Insects, Moths, Bees

Maintenance

This plant is not reliably perennial and self-seeds readily so give space to spread It is often grown as a cultivated plant outside its native range. Deadhead the spent flowers to prolong the blooming season or leave seeds for wildlife. Although it Prefers sandy or rocky soils, it can adapt to clay soils if it is well-drained. Propagation: seed, root division.

Comments

Blooms May-August. A clump-forming perennial, occasionally annual, with several stems which are leafy nearly to the top. Leaves are dissected into linear segments. Bright yellow flower heads are few or sometimes solitary, terminal, on naked stalks. The fruit is a cypsela: a dry, one-seeded fruit that is usually topped by pappus. A specialist pollinator of Coreopsis spp. is Melissodes coreopsis (Coreopsis Miner Bee). Larval host: Tornos scolopacinarius (Dimorphic Gray) and Enychlora acida (Wavy-Lined Emerald). Herbivores consume the foliage: rabbits, groundhogs, and probably deer occasionally.

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Clump Division Lay the plant on its side and carefully tease apart the root ball. Identify healthy sections with leaves, stems, and roots. Use a sharp, clean tool to cut the plant into smaller sections, each with a robust root system. Handle the roots gently to avoid damage. Make a hole in a sunny spot, matching the depth and width of the root ball. Plant each division at the same depth it was previously growing. Water well to settle the soil and keep the soil consistently moist as they establish. Look for plants that are crowded or have multiple offsets. Water the plant a day before to reduce transplant shock. Gently remove the plant from the ground, ensuring you preserve the root system. https://greg.app/propagate-coreopsis-grandiflora/
Seed No Treatment Sow in spring or autumn, directly in the garden or under cover. in well-drained loosened soil. Cover the seeds with a very thin layer of soil—no more than 0.5 cm. Keep the soil consistently moist until germination, which typically takes 2 to 3 weeks. Once seedlings emerge, before planting, ensure they receive plenty of sunlight and water them regularly. Thin the seedlings to about 15 cm apart to give them room to grow. Wait for the flower heads to dry on the plant. Gently shake or rub the heads to release the seeds. Store the seeds in a paper envelope in a cool, dry place until you're ready to sow them. https://greg.app/propagate-coreopsis-grandiflora/
Stem Cutting Dip the cut end into rooting hormone to boost root growth. Plant the cutting in well-draining soil, burying at least one node to foster root emergence. Keep the soil consistently moist, but be wary of overwatering which can lead to rot. Provide bright, indirect light and maintain a warm environment to encourage rooting. Select stems that are vigorous and disease-free, with several sets of leaves, but non-flowering. Use sterilized shears to make a clean, angled cut just below a leaf node. Remove the lower leaves to expose additional nodes, which can increase rooting potential. 1) https://greg.app/propagate-coreopsis-grandiflora/ 2) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-coreopsis-grandiflora/
Root Cutting To plant the cuttings,dip the cut ends in rooting hormone to boost growth potential. Plant the cuttings in a well-draining soil mix, positioning them vertically with the straight cut (top) end slightly above the soil surface. Water the soil to a consistent moisture level, not too soggy or too dry. Place the pots in a warm area with indirect light. Keep an eye on moisture levels; roots need to stay hydrated but not waterlogged. Patience is key—roots can take several weeks to develop. Once you feel resistance when gently tugging on the cutting, it's a sign that roots are forming. Look for roots that are about as thick as a pencil and exhibit a healthy vigor. Use clean, sharp tools to cut sections, aiming for lengths between 3 to 4 inches. Make a straight cut near the crown and an angled cut at the other end to remember which way is up. Clean the roots gently but thoroughly to remove soil and debris. https://greg.app/propagate-coreopsis-grandiflora/
Seed Stratification If planting seeds in the Spring or Summer, the seeds need 2-4 weeks of cold/wet stratification. It will be 10-15 days with Sunlight and 60-80 day to maturity. https://whitwamorganics.com/products/large-flowered-tickseed-coreopsis-grandiflora#:~:text=Coreopsis%20needs%20regular%20watering%20throughout,weeks%20of%20cold/wet%20stratification.

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason