Coreopsis (Tickseed) in Zone 10a & 10b

Coreopsis grandiflora

Yes, coreopsis (tickseed) grows in zones 10a and 10b. Start seeds indoors in Jan–Mar and plant out in Mar–May. For a fall crop, start seeds indoors in Aug–Sep and plant out in Oct–Nov.

When to plant coreopsis (tickseed) in zone 10b

Zones 10a and 10b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.

Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. In your zone it needs a head start on the heat that direct-sowing elsewhere doesn't require.

Window	Spring window
Start indoors	Jan–Mar
Direct sow / transplant outside	Mar–May
Estimated bloom	~80 days after transplanting

Window	Fall window
Start indoors	Aug–Sep
Direct sow / transplant outside	Oct–Nov
Estimated bloom	~80 days after transplanting

Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-2 ft.

Zone 10b dates sourced from growinginthegarden.com.

Fall window: the last sowing date is the average first frost minus days to maturity, the method in Purdue Extension's fall garden guide, which lists coreopsis (tickseed) for late-summer planting.

Full coreopsis (tickseed) profile · Companion planting guide · Zone 10b planting calendar

Plant alongside it in zone 10b

These go outside within two weeks of coreopsis (tickseed) in zone 10b, so one planting day can cover them.

Coreopsis (tickseed) is a native perennial grown for cheerful yellow blooms and for how reliably it pulls in pollinators. It's one of the better-documented native plants for supporting a wide range of bee species specifically. Buy it as straight species seed rather than a named cultivar: garden-center coreopsis is often sold under trademarked names bred more for compact habit or bloom color than for vigor, and at least one of the most common, 'Moonbeam', has turned out to carry a flower disease that's spread through nursery stock over the past decade.

How coreopsis (tickseed) fits zone 10's season

Zone 10b's frost-free window runs about 324 days, from January 30 to December 20. Coreopsis (tickseed) needs about 80 days from sowing to first bloom.

Coreopsis (Tickseed) planting windows in every zone

Zone 10b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.

Zone	Start indoors	Sow or plant out	Bloom
4a & 4b	Mar 27–Apr 3	May 22–May 29	Aug 10–Aug 17
5a & 5b	Mar 22–Mar 29	May 17–May 24	Aug 5–Aug 12
6a & 6b	Mar 7–Mar 14	May 2–May 9	Jul 21–Jul 28
7a & 7b	Feb 20–Feb 27	Apr 17–Apr 24	Jul 6–Jul 13
8a & 8b	Feb 4–Feb 11	Apr 1–Apr 8	Jun 20–Jun 27
9a & 9b	Dec 28–Jan 4	Feb 22–Mar 1	May 13–May 20
10a & 10bSpring window (your zone)	Jan–Mar	Mar–May	~80 days after transplanting
Fall window	Aug–Sep	Oct–Nov	~80 days after transplanting

Bloom dates are about 80 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.

Good companions

Bell Pepper: Draws in pollinators and beneficial insects like lady beetles near heavy-feeding vegetables.

Where to buy coreopsis seeds

Botanical Interests · True Leaf Market · Burpee (each supplier's coreopsis seeds)

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See it growing

Search YouTube for "growing coreopsis (tickseed)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)

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Growing Coreopsis (Tickseed) in USDA zone 10b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.

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