What to Plant With Coreopsis (Tickseed)

Coreopsis, also known as Tickseed, is a cheerful, sun-loving perennial that adds bright pops of yellow, orange, or pink to any garden. Its daisy-like blooms and ferny foliage make it a standout in mixed borders, pollinator gardens, and wildflower meadows. But like any great garden plant, Coreopsis really shines when paired with the right companions. With a little planning, you can create stunning combinations that bloom from spring through fall and keep your landscape buzzing with life.

By: Reggie Meehan (12/10/2025)

Why Pair Coreopsis With Other Plants?

Pairing Coreopsis with companion plants is both beautiful and practical. Visually, contrasting flower shapes, heights, and colors help highlight the airy texture and sunny tones of Coreopsis. Practically, companion planting can attract more pollinators, deter pests, and even improve soil health. Some plants bloom at different times, extending the interest in your garden throughout the seasons. And when you select companions with similar cultural needs, maintenance becomes a breeze.

Coreopsis thrives in full sun, well-drained soil, and average moisture—and it appreciates drought tolerance once established. When choosing companion plants, aim for varieties that love these same growing conditions. This keeps all your plants healthy and happy without the need for special treatment. Avoid pairing Coreopsis with shade lovers or heavy feeders that need frequent watering. Matching their needs keeps your design low-maintenance and sustainable.

5 Ideal Companions for Coreopsis

Whether you’re building a container combo or planning out your landscape border, here are some of the best plants to pair with Coreopsis:

Salvia

Salvia’s upright spikes and bold blues or purples offer a dramatic contrast to Coreopsis’s round, sunny blooms. Both thrive in full sun and attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds. Salvia’s vertical habit provides structure, while Coreopsis adds a loose, meadowy feel. Together, they create color and texture that lasts through the heat of summer. Plus, most salvias are drought-tolerant and low-maintenance.

Echinacea (Coneflower)

Echinacea and Coreopsis make a powerhouse duo for pollinator gardens. Their similar bloom times and easy-care nature make them perfect partners in sunny borders. The coneflower’s larger blooms and pastel pinks or purples balance beautifully with the bright yellow tones of Coreopsis. Both plants handle drought well and will come back reliably each year. They also resist deer and make great cut flowers.

Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan)

Rudbeckia shares a similar color palette and growth habit with Coreopsis, making them natural companions. Together, they create a warm and cohesive display that echoes the look of a natural prairie. Both bloom heavily from midsummer into fall, attracting butterflies and bees along the way. Their durability and long bloom time make them ideal for mass plantings. Just be sure to give them space to spread.

Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)

Gaillardia and Coreopsis both love heat, sun, and dry conditions, making them ideal for xeriscaping or hot garden beds. The bold red, orange, and yellow tones of Gaillardia flowers add warmth and depth next to Coreopsis. Their shared daisy-like shapes keep the look casual and wild, perfect for cottage gardens. Gaillardia’s slightly lower profile makes it great for edging or front-of-the-border use. And like Coreopsis, it blooms for months on end.

Lavender

Lavender might not bloom as long as Coreopsis, but its silvery foliage and soothing scent offer a lovely textural and sensory contrast. It thrives in the same dry, sunny conditions and adds elegance to mixed plantings. The soft purple flowers balance Coreopsis’s warm colors, creating harmony and interest. Plus, lavender repels pests like deer and rabbits while attracting pollinators. This pairing is perfect for a Mediterranean-style or herb garden.

Tips for Designing With Coreopsis

Designing with Coreopsis opens up endless possibilities thanks to its vibrant colors, airy texture, and flexible plant forms. With thoughtful pairings, it becomes the kind of plant that ties an entire design together from spring through frost.

Mix Colors and Textures

Coreopsis comes in a wide range of bright, cheerful shades—yellows, reds, bi-colors, and soft pastels—so take advantage of that versatility by pairing them with both complementary and contrasting hues. For bold, high-impact borders, mix sunny yellow Coreopsis with deep purples, burgundy foliage, or cool blues to create instant visual pop. You can also use texture to elevate the look: pair Coreopsis with fine-textured plants like Mexican feather grass, carex, or soft ferns to accentuate its upright stems and airy daisy-like blooms. The contrast between delicate foliage and vibrant flowers adds movement and softness, keeping the garden dynamic and visually layered without feeling chaotic.

Layer by Height

Because Coreopsis varieties range from compact mounds to medium-height upright forms, they’re incredibly flexible in layered borders. Taller varieties look beautiful placed in the middle of a mixed perennial border, where they naturally transition between towering back-of-border plants and low growers at the front. Pair Coreopsis with taller structural plants such as Salvia, Echinacea, Rudbeckia maxima, or Baptisia to create a strong vertical backdrop. Then add shorter edging plants like creeping thyme, dwarf sedum, or sweet alyssum along the front to frame the planting. This tiered approach creates depth, prevents shading issues, and ensures each plant has room to breathe and show off its natural form.

Extend Bloom Time

One of the biggest strengths of Coreopsis is its long bloom season, but you can make borders even more exciting by mixing in plants that flower before and after it. Pair Coreopsis with early spring bloomers such as tulips, daffodils, and ornamental alliums to kick off the season with color before Coreopsis reaches its peak. For late-summer and fall interest, include plants like Nepeta, coneflowers, asters, and ornamental grasses, which carry the garden through the tail end of the season. By weaving in plants with staggered bloom times, you avoid “dead zones” in the garden and ensure that your border always has something fresh, colorful, and engaging from early spring through frost.

Final Thoughts

Coreopsis is a versatile, reliable bloomer that deserves a starring role in your sunny garden. With the right companion plants, it becomes part of a larger story—a balanced, colorful, and thriving ecosystem. Choose plants that match its sun-loving, drought-tolerant nature, and you'll be rewarded with low-maintenance beauty all season long. Whether you're designing borders or filling containers, Coreopsis plays well with others.