Tickseed or Coreopsis Is Safe for Dogs & Cats Not Poisonous
Coreopsis also called “tickweed” is a daisy-like flower and makes a wonderful addition to any pet safe garden. They come in bright yellow and red, full size and dwarf. We have standard yellow and dwarf red in Lovie’s Pet Safe Garden in Northern California. The yellow ones provide a nice contrast to our bright blue cornflowers/ bachelor buttons. I have not figured out the best way to prune them so that they keep blooming and maintain a nice shape.
So you know, we check the flowers we feature on our site with the ASPCA and do extensive internet research for both the common and scientific name just to be super pet safe. If we cannot find direct reference, we check up to genus and so on until we can confirm whether a plant is toxic or non toxic to both cats and dogs. If we are not sure, or get contradictory information, we do not include it. Many of the plants featured we have grown successfully in our own pet safe garden in Northern California. You can see many of garden stars in photos from Lovie’s Pet Safe Garden.
Physical Attributes
Coreopsis produces masses of showy, daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow, gold, orange, red, pink, and bicolors. Flowers are 2-4 inches across with toothed ray petals surrounding a raised center disk. Plants form upright clumps of bright green, hairy leaves and grow 6 inches to 4 feet tall, depending on variety.[1][2][3][5]
General Care Tips and Pointers
Plant in full sun and well-drained soil. Water about 1 inch per week. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continued flowering. Coreopsis is drought tolerant once established. Divide clumps every 4 years when overcrowded. Many varieties self-seed readily.[1][3][5]
Fun Facts/Trivia
The genus Coreopsis is native to North and South America, with over 100 species. Commonly called “tickseed” referring to the seed’s resemblance to ticks. Attracts bees, butterflies and birds. Deer and rabbit resistant. Used historically for dyes and herbal remedies. The state wildflower of Florida.[1][2][3][5]
| Consideration | Details |
|---|---|
| Container Friendly | Yes, can be grown in containers.[1][4] |
| Indoor/Outdoor | Outdoor[1][2][3][4][5] |
| Sun/Shade | Full sun[1][2][3][4][5] |
| Perennial/Annual | Both perennial and annual varieties exist.[2][4] |
| Flowering | Daisy-like flowers in yellow, gold, orange, red, pink from early summer to fall.[1][2][3][4][5] |
| Drought Tolerant | Yes, drought tolerant once established.[1][2][4] |
| Pollinator Magnet | Yes, attracts bees, butterflies and other pollinators.[1][2][4][5] |
| Beginner Friendly | Yes, easy to grow.[1][2][4] |
| Good Ground Cover | No, grows 6 inches to 4 feet tall.[2] |
| Good Privacy Screen | No, not tall enough. |
| Invasive/Spreader | Can self-seed readily but not considered invasive.[1][5] |
| Dog & Cat Durable | Unknown, but likely non-toxic. |
| Rodent Repellent | Unknown |
| Deer Resistant | Yes, deer and rabbit resistant.[2][5] |
| Native | Yes, native to North and South America.[2][4][5] |
Citations:
[1] https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/coreopsis/growing-coreopsis-flowers.htm
[2] https://www.gardenia.net/genus/tickseed-coreopsis
[3] https://www.jacksonandperkins.com/coreopsis-tickseed/c/GE_1002_64/
[4] https://www.thespruce.com/growing-and-using-coreopsis-in-the-flower-garden-1402839
[5] https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FP143
Citations:
[1] https://www.gardenia.net/genus/tickseed-coreopsis
[2] https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/tickseed-coreopsis
[3] https://housing.com/news/how-to-grow-and-care-for-coreopsis/
[4] https://www.amazon.com/Coreopsis-verticillata-Tickseed-Perennial-flowers/dp/B07HFQMKPZ
[5] https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/coreopsis_tinctoria.shtml
