Coreopsis (Tickseed) in Zone 5a & 5b
Coreopsis grandiflora
Yes, coreopsis (tickseed) grows in zones 5a and 5b. Start seeds indoors Mar 22–Mar 29 and plant out May 17–May 24.
When to plant coreopsis (tickseed) in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Either works.
| Start indoors | Mar 22–Mar 29 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 17–May 24 |
| Estimated bloom | Aug 5–Aug 12 (~80 days after planting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-2 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 5b
These go outside within two weeks of coreopsis (tickseed) in zone 5b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumMay 17–May 24
- MarigoldMay 17–May 24
- Ageratum (Flossflower)May 17–May 24
- Annual Geranium (Pelargonium)May 17–May 24
- Butterfly Weed (Asclepias)May 17–May 24
- Campanula (Bellflower)May 17–May 24
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 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. Coreopsis (tickseed) needs about 80 days from sowing to first bloom.
Coreopsis (Tickseed) planting windows in every zone
Zone 5b 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 (your zone) | 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 | 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)
See why we recommend these suppliers →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a clear consensus of positive, independent reviews, or ones we bought and use ourselves. Each item on our gear page says which.
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)
← Back to the full zone 5b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
%20in%20USDA%20zone%205b%3A%20when%20to%20start%20seeds%20indoors%2C%20when%20to%20direct-sow%2C%20and%20when%20to%20expect%20a%20bloom.)
Pin this for later
Growing Coreopsis (Tickseed) in USDA zone 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
Save to Pinterest