Planting patterns in a wheat-cotton double cropping system affect cotton growth and yield. Three planting patterns were tested: cotton intercropped with wheat, cotton transplanted after wheat, and cotton direct-seeded after wheat. Results showed that double cropping reduced cotton yield compared to monoculture, but the decrease was less in high soil fertility fields. The number of bolls and boll weight influenced yield differences among planting patterns, while the number of bolls was key in field variations. Economic analysis revealed that the net revenue of cotton intercropped with wheat and cotton direct-seeded after wheat was higher in both low and high fertility fields compared to monoculture cotton. Cotton direct-seeded after wheat may be a profitable option in the Yellow River Valley. Good soil fertility is crucial for high yields and profits in a wheat-cotton double cropping system.