Coneflowers, also known as echinacea, are a native perennial wildflower that attracts butterflies, bees, and birds. They have various varieties, colors, and uses in gardens and beyond. The best months to plant coneflowers are March, April, and May. These plants have dark green, pubescent leaves that can become more prickly as the plant grows.
Planting instructions for coneflowers include planting them in spring, spacing plants 1 to 3 feet apart, and preparing the garden bed using a garden fork or tiller. Most coneflowers grow about two feet tall, but some can reach three feet or larger depending on climate and other factors. Exposure to coneflowers varies by species and zone, but typically thrive in full sun. Some may tolerate partial shade, and in hotter southern climates, light afternoon shade can prevent burning.
Echinacea flowers measure 2 to 4 inches in diameter and have a mounded, brown, central cone of disk flowers surrounded by long light purple rays. They can spread 1 to 3 feet wide, depending on the variety. Echinacea flowers last a long time in a vase, so they should be planted about a 1/2 inch deep and covered with soil to help them germinate in the darkness.
Echinacea are clump-forming perennials that grow to a mature size of between 12-36 inches wide and up to four feet tall. Popular selections include “White Swan” and “Purple”. Echinacea purpurea, one of the most popular coneflowers, grows 2-5 feet tall and produces pinkish-purple flowers that mature in early summer through mid-fall. It prefers well-drained, moist loam soil.
📹 Complete Guide to Purple Coneflower – Echinacea purpurea
… Purple Coneflower – How do you ID, Grow, and Care for Echinacea purpurea – Where does Coneflower grow best – How to grow …
How tall do coneflowers grow?
This plant, which grows 3 to 4 feet tall and produces pinkish-purple flowers, is suitable for well-drained, moist loam soils and can grow in full sun to partial shade. It is drought-tolerant, deer, heat, humidity, and salt-resistant. It can be propagated by seed and reseeds itself in the garden. The attractive ray petals surround dark purplish brown disc flowers in summer. This plant is popular for use as a border or in groupings in native or pollinator gardens, meadows, and naturalized areas. Many cultivars are available in various sizes and colors.
What is the lifespan of a coneflower?
Echinacea is a perennial plant that can live for several years with proper care, sometimes up to 10 years. Roots are not invasive but can spread over time, forming clumps that may need division for better flowering. Echinacea is drought-tolerant and can survive on minimal water once established. To establish the plant, keep the soil moist but not waterlogged during the first growing season. After that, water the plant during extended periods of drought, but avoid overwatering to prevent root rot and other problems.
How much space do coneflowers need?
To plant coneflowers, choose a sunny location with moderately rich, well-drained soil. Space plants 1 to 3 feet apart, depending on the variety. Loosen soil at least 12 inches deep, dig a hole twice as wide and slightly deeper than the root ball, remove the plant from its nursery pot, set it in the hole with the base level, backfill the hole with soil, and water well. Coneflowers can tolerate rocky, clay, or sandy soils but prefer organic matter-rich soil.
Good drainage is essential to prevent root rot. Use a high-quality all-purpose potting mix for containers. Watering coneflowers can vary depending on the site, but they prefer moderate water for best growth and flowering.
Do coneflowers multiply?
Coneflowers are self-seeders that multiply year after year, blooming from midsummer until frost. Once established, they can tolerate heat and drought. They are beautiful when grown in masses, with most being purple. The blossoms are rich in nectar, and attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. To water coneflowers, water them regularly but allow the soil to dry out before adding more water. Once established, coneflowers become more drought-tolerant.
Do coneflowers grow fast?
Purple coneflowers are easy to grow from seed, germinating about three to four weeks after sowing and producing leaves in three months. To grow, wait until the cone has fully dried and is darker and stiff to the touch before harvesting seeds. Wear gloves to separate the seeds attached to the cone’s spines and spread them on a paper plate or screen to dry thoroughly. Sow the seeds outdoors in the fall, either in the ground or winter-sowing them in milk jugs.
Start indoors by simulating the chilling period and place seeds in a damp seed-starting mixture in a sealed container in the refrigerator for eight to 10 weeks. After planting, cover them with soil and place them under grow lights placed 1 to 2 inches above the plant. Purple coneflowers grow well in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9, but may need winter protection in colder climates.
What is bad about echinacea?
Echinacea, a plant utilized in the production of cosmetics, is recognized for its efficacy in addressing digestive tract symptoms, including nausea and stomach discomfort. However, it is important to note that some individuals may experience severe allergic reactions, with some children displaying rashes during clinical trials.
How many flowers will one coneflower plant produce?
Coneflowers are upright stems that can grow up to 18-2 feet in height. They produce one showy flower, usually 2-3 inches wide, with down-turned petals. The flowers are typically warm, light purple, but modern growing has produced a rainbow of colors. They grow in clusters that can reach 24 inches in width. Some ornamental varieties have small colorful petals all over their spiny centers. Coneflowers typically bloom in June, but can bloom continuously through the summer and fall if properly pruned. They are best planted in spring and early summer, with at least 6-8 hours of full sun per day. They prefer well-drained soil and can be helped by composting. Fertilization is rarely necessary.
Why avoid echinacea?
Echinacea is not recommended for individuals with certain medical conditions, such as tuberculosis, leukemia, diabetes, connective tissue disorders, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, autoimmune diseases, or liver disorders. It may also reduce the effectiveness of immunosuppressant medications, making it a risk for organ transplant recipients. In rare cases, echinacea may cause allergic reactions, including mild rash and anaphylaxis. People with asthma and allergies to daisy plants should avoid taking echinacea without professional supervision. Minor side effects include stomach upset, nausea, dizziness, and dry eyes.
Will coneflowers survive winter?
Echinacea purpurea, a native Midwestern prairie coneflower, can survive harsh winters due to its taproot, which stores food and aids in overwintering. It is best to plant young Echinacea purpurea in July to allow its taproot to grow deep. This plant should be sold in summer before or during bloom. Echinacea paradoxa, native to zones 5-8, has droopy, yellow petals and a fibrous root system, making it hardy in zones 5-8. Although it shouldn’t bloom the first year, it often does in nursery soils with more fertilizer than in the wild.
Do coneflowers need to be watered everyday?
Coneflowers are drought-tolerant once established, so it’s important to check them every other day and water them thoroughly if the top inch of soil is dry. Droopy leaves indicate thirstiness. After a growing season, water coneflowers unless it hasn’t rained for two months or more. To increase flower production, start feeding them Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble Bloom Booster® Plant Food in the spring as new leaves sprout.
This fertilizer works instantly and doesn’t take extra time to apply. Deadhead coneflowers to encourage more flowering by cutting off faded blooms before they produce seeds. Once the plant begins to produce fewer blooms, let them be.
Do coneflowers like sun or shade?
Coneflowers require 6-8 hours of sunlight per day, with some afternoon shade in warmer regions to prevent flower fading. They naturally grow in clumps and can self-seed if left in place. The best time to plant coneflowers is in spring or early fall, but ensure they have at least 6 weeks to establish roots before frost. To create an ideal environment for coneflower roots, mix 3 inches of Miracle-Gro® Garden Soil for Flowers with the top 6 inches of existing soil.
This rich, nutrient-filled soil has Moisture Control® technology to protect plants from excessive watering. When using Miracle-Gro® soil and plant food, you can triple the number of flowers over the growing season. To plant one coneflower, dig a hole and blend the soil with the soil in a 50:50 ratio.
📹 Echinacea Coneflower Plant Care – Growing Instructions from Season to Season
There are so many lovely varieties of Coneflowers out there, but they all pretty much have the same requirements when growing …
Excellent article. My plant came from my mom’s house after she passed away. Didn’t know what it was. Dad tried to grow a bunch on his farm but they didn’t make it there. I believe this plant is the last of that effort. It is huge and beautiful this year. Knowing that I can save seeds and plant big bunches all over the acreage is wonderful news. Thank you so much for this tutorial.❤️🇨🇦
I referred to this article repeatedly as I started 16 purple coneflowers in a new garden bed last year. I started seeds under a grow light 02/01, transplanted in early May in a spot with 4 hours of direct sun, and half of my plants flowered last year. They exceeded my expectations. The tree that shaded in the afternoon was removed this winter, and I’m excitedly anticipating the productivity in year 2 with full sun.
Several years ago I had some wild cone flowers pop up in my yard. I was injured a few years ago enough that I could not work in the yard – but I’m back trying a tiny bit now. Anyway, because they are in the midst of a vinca, daisy etc bed I put a tomato cage over them at the end of the Fall in hopes that I could get back to them this Spring. Well, thanks to your article I was able to pull up the tomato cages, scout and find my new little cone-flower plants! I dug them up and replanted in a semi-sunny area. Said a prayer that the armadilloes don’t find them until the soil is settled and hope they make it. Hopefully, this Fall I can buy some new ones. They really are beauties and always bring a smile to my face. I also saved some seeds. Hopefully they are still good but guess I’ll have to wait until next year to work with them. Just the little bit I did today has left me exhausted and hurting but…..in a good way. Love the garden. Thanks again and showers of blessings, p
I’ve been growing echinacea pupurea from seed quite a bit and I agree that stratification isn’t necessary. Though I have noticed that the year I did some stratification, I did have better germination rates. This may have been just random luck with that year’s seeds, but it could have been the stratification as well.
This is my third attempt at growing from seed, I have not found them easy to grow. I have clay soil and lots of birds, squirrels, and chipmunks. I’ve tried direct sow and indoor sow. My seed packet says stratify at least two weeks. I finally have about 5-8 seedlings. I have had zero luck with seedlings without stratifying them (purple coneflower). Ah- there’s my problem- I have tons of deer and rabbit, especially in Spring. Thank you! 🙂
Love coneflowers! Attracts bees, monarch butterflies too! I deadhead once & then leave for the goldfinches heading into winter. As a result, I’ve been rewarded with bigger clumps & lots of babies the following year and added them to other parts of my gardens. Thank you for your website & native plants. I’m near Niagara Falls, Canada.
Well, I believe today is the first time I’ve watched your website, and I’m binge-watching! I subscribed after perusal the first article, and I’m not sure how many more I’ve watched. I appreciate that you share so much information and that you do so in such an organized manner. I plan on visiting your website in the very near future. A million thanks!
Glad I ran into your leaf article, less than an hour ago. I decided to check to see what else you have. Purple Coneflower is one of my favorites. I have a 1/3 acre food forest/wildlife habitat in the middle of a town of lawns. 15 years ago I was given permission (both the mayor and his assistant were into wildlife, now there is no way that would have happened). Every year I try to spread more of them, along with other wildflowers. This year I will be planting even more. People seem surprised to see so many bees and birds in my yard, since they are rare here. I wonder why, NOT.
This is one of the best sites for information of gardening I’ve seen thus far I will be showing my brother he lives in a place where there are deers that eat up his food that he plants in all kind of other little animals but I will definitely be sharing this great job in research granny appreciate you
Joe… Thank you so much!!! Just getting into gardening and cultivating. When we moved in our house 10+ years ago, we had purple coneflowers in my front yard and we love them. The deer ate them the past 4 years and nothing worked to protect them young, so I used netting to protect it, and we finally have those tall stalks and flowers!!! My 85 year young Dad loves them! You also just helped me identify some issues and have taken action by getting rid of the appropriate flowers and stalks. I did not know they had to be separated, and they are far too densely packed. Not to mention it’s been very hot in North Jersey the past dew days. THANK YOU, JOE!!! HUGE THUMBS UP!!! Cannot wait to check your website! 🙏❤️😋
The bees, months, and butterflies love mine in the spring and summer, then the finches enjoy it in the late summer to fall here in Charlotte. I’m admittedly too lazy to deadhead. The only issue I’ve ever had was that my cat used to try and catch the birds and he’d jump up and knock the plants over and break the stems.
Thank you so much. I’m a newbie gardener, 2nd year and I saw these plants last year after leaving a restaurant on Fathers Day and fell in love. I have seeds and roots and really wrote down many thins you said about this Purple Coneflower because I really want to be successful with it. You gave lots of to start with. I have the space to plant. Many thanks and blessings to you! 🙏🏽🙌🏼 And, I subscribed. 🥰🙌🏼
My algorithm is starting to chuck up all your articles on precisely the plants i started from seedlings this year, from which i’ve just collected seed to try to start them from seed next year. Last night it was smooth blue aster; today it’s echinacea. i did actually have at least one bumblebee take a sunny nap on mine, just as the daytime temps were starting to chill down here in the Jersey Ramapos, & at the time it was both confusing & extremely funny to me – so thanks for confirming that behavior. If you can – like it looks like you did, i had my echinacea together with oxeye sunflower (and the aster), and since they were in a container together, by the time i was collecting seed heads, there was no bloom left, so now i can’t tell the seed heads apart! they’re the same size, but the coloration is slightly different. which can i expect to be lighter or darker? Thanks for all the great stuff! (I steal all my neighbors’ curb leaves for mulch now 😂)
This is my first time to your website… I just start Gardening last year so I am researching a ton I was given this pack of seeds with others for Xmas from my kids..hadno clue what it was .. I have spent my Saturday morning perusal 5 of your article you covered each packet I had gotten … well informed thank you… was sad to learn I won’t see the flowers till the second year but still excited to start this from seeds and I have a tone of property so much more planting to come
Dear growit, Your series of plant articles is SO profound thoughtful and thorough. It’s wonderful. I sure do like and recommend it and will look into the website for further details. Thank you for the Echinacea details!! 🤩🌷🌷 you are encouraging me greatly. I have just sown my first Echinacea seeds yesterday! 19.2.2024 I’m sowing a white variety. “White Swan” I live outside of the American continent. Zone 9-10.. winter rains hot summers Let’s see what happens and thanks again Mm
I love your article, I live in Melbourne Australia and grow this flower amongst my salvia mystic spears, agastache and cornflowers. The problem that I’m having is that the echinacea doesn’t survive the winter but it’s meant to be a perennial. I was told that the plant goes into hibernation under ground but it does not come back for me. If I want this plant, I have to sow each year. I must be doing something wrong
Just discovered your great articles and links to blog. Wow, just what I’ve been looking for growing plants. Recently retired so stepping up my gardening game. The rabbits in my town in Central NC have been very destructive this year, completely wiped out my blackeye Susan’s. Note I used liquid fence it did not Deter rabbits.
Great information, I’m so glad I clicked your article when I was looking up how to grow echinacea. I live on a small island in the Mediterranean and I’ve just come across some seeds. I think this will be great in my climate. I know they are normally started in spring but I might try starting some now ready for planting out in the autumn and maybe get some blooms next year? It’s worth a try 😅 though we are in the middle of a heat wave but I probably can’t stop myself giving it a go ! Thanks again for all the thorough information 🌸
Wow I love your articles. It’s so satisfying to watch and listen. A week ago I planted my first coneflower I hope it makes it, it came with a broken stem witch had 3 flowers already. I’m looking forward to plant many more, specially give it a shot to the butterfly weed on your other article that I loved 😊 PS: I went outside and I see a shoot coming on the coneflower 🎉ooh I’m so so happy
By the way excellent article you covered just about everything I needed to know. I do have a question I’ve planted echinacea seed and some seem to be very low growing while others seem to be getting rather tall are they two types of purple coneflowers low growing and much taller.. I can send pictures if you’re interested to see
Hi I have been following you for awhile and I am happy to say I found you again was having hard time to find you ..I have a question about cone flowers a Neighbor had this amazing pot or 4different kind of cone flower she was throwing the plant away,I collected quite a few seeds from the flowers and tree the plant in a pot because I would love to plant it in my garden…First question is do I cut the plant prune or trim the flowers right down and then plant it..Second question can I seed the seeds now in September the 12th 2022.because I live in Ontario Canada.the temperature is still 25 to 27 celcius and I want the plant established for next spring spring.
Thank you for this great article. I am in my third year growing this tough plant. I have divided mine this year. I want to mention the part where you said the purple flower that remains green and have lifeless bulbs to toss in trash due to disease. I have to disagree. I had a large plant growing last year and yes it gave no flowers. This spring I divided it into 3 plants and all of them produced. Is it ok to stake and string if the plant is getting top heavy and leaning outward? Thanks in advance. And have a great one.
What a well done article packed with information…thank you I learned so much! I have two question for you. First, I saw in the article what looked like a cut section a tree/log with what looked like holes in it on a stand. I am guessing for bees. Can you tell me more about it? Second, I planted two Echinacea plants last year, one plant had developed something weird that kind of looked like clumpy sand? Not sure if bugs, fungus, etc?
I have had a problem with over wintering them. They thrive through the summer but don’t come back the next year. It isn’t my climate ( zone 7b). I have no trouble growing them in pots, those come back every year. I have clay soil with decayed granite. I think the problem is not enough drainage. They are unbelievably easy to grow from seed. I have had success growing them in fall from seeds from the same summer flowers.
My seeds have not sprouted yet but I’m not exactly sure on the date when I planted them I’m going to feel really really bad if I can’t grow these things now LOL. I apologize if I missed it but I don’t think you mentioned Rose Inn or where you are so just a suggestion that would be good if you didn’t include it in this article and also I saw a few articles on YouTube about not buying echinacea anymore and having some kind of warning but I haven’t yet so maybe that kind of stuff on other articles just trying to help but I probably won’t see your comment on here so don’t even worry about it just wanted to give you some feedback
Great article! You explained this plant, and growing it, so well. I started some seeds in my home this winter, my question is would it be alright or make a difference if I left them in pots till next season when they will be better established and producing blooms? I don’t have an established garden area yet, but have place to put them.
I have tried for years to grow it from seed and was finally successful last year. I am glad to know that they don’t bloom in the first year. I was worried about that part. I have started some more now and hope they will grow. They are so expensive to buy at the big box stores. Also, what are the yellow flowers you have beside the coneflower around your bee hotel? Yellow cups? Thanks
Oh one other little suggestion just to help you if at the end of this article you mentioned something about some other cool flower or plant and some strange enticing fact to go watch that article because right now I’m headed to the article to find out why I should not buy the seeds that I already bought And planted
I’ve had echinacea before and love them. So easy to take care of. I bought a new varietal this year called Cheyenne Spirit. It gives you multiple colors on the same plant. I moved to a smaller home with limited garden areas. And I am looking forward to seeing the lovely colors brighten up my little space.
In years past I had coneflower and blackeyed susan in massive abundandance. We added new sidewalk and got rid of it and then brought mulch in with poison ivy and after fighting it for 3 years..removed all perrineals..I’m missing both..I had stragglers last year and saved seeds..Sometimes In fall I just stuck seed in ground then…sometimes in spring.not sure works better.
I have question. I live in Eastern Washington. I noticed blossoms on my coneflowers that resembled the mite damage shown in your article. I took a flower head into my local extension office. I was told it was a Sunflower Moth. Which is not native to here. I was wondering on any advice for this pest. I was told to cut the flowers affected and discard, or hire a licensed pesticide company. My problem is I see so many that seem to have the same damage. My garden is dedicated to pollinators so I don’t use chemicals. I do have many aster family plants. Not sure if I should replace them all with something else. I really appreciate your article’s. Thank you so much for them!
Hi first off I love your blog and your you tube website .I have learned much from both. I have started some things from seed. Have had no trouble starting them. I have run into issue trying to separate and thinning out. Can you make a article to show me( I hope I am not the only one) the best way to do that process and best time to do so. I think I may have tried to separate too soon. The purple cone flowers are one I tried too soon and lost many of them. I do have more seeds and want to try again. It was very disappointing to see them doing so well then to have killed them. Don’t want to do that again.
Very informative, thank you. One interesting thing I noticed is that nobody ever mentions how many plants are in the picture they are showing. for example the one you are showing with the finches, is it one plant with so many shoots (after a couple of years)? or is it multiple seedlings you planted there?
Hi, what are the yellow flowers you have growing with the purple cone flowers at the beginning of your article – 0:12 ? And what are the yellow flowers you show with your purple cone flowers at 0:50 – are those yellow cone flowers? And at 4:59? They just go so well with the purple cone flowers. Thank you.
Thank you so much for this very informative article Joe! I know this is an older article so I was wondering if you had any opinions about the newer purple coneflower varieties out there like the newer Magnus? I wasn’t sure which coneflower would be the best for my garden. I’m in zone 7b….Atlanta area. Thanks!😀
A reliable expectation with cultivars is they will revert to species, if not immediately, then over time. Another reason not to bother buying them. I have read that breeders are using aster yellows to breed green flowers. Crazy and unnecessary. In my z5 southern VT garden 2 different cultivars- Chayenne sunset or whatever that orange, yellow, red widely available cultivar is, and a short bright fuscia have both reverted to tall species purple. I’m glad for the pollinators.
I have Hello from zone 7B/8A, NC,. I’ve had my Walmart or Sam’s purchased echinacea 6 years in a 15-20 gallon pot. Glad to say it returns every year . I have no extras that come up in the pot but I hope to see some new additions in the pot this year. I fertilized it with miracle grow and or compost tea over the years. This and black eye Susan date some of my favorite flowers. I love daisy type flowers My Yardman mowed down my dormant BESs 2 years ago and I’ve not seen them since. I’ll just replant another and he’s been fired since then of course.( my uncle thought he was helping me out while I was on vacation).🙄
Thank you for this. I live in the high desert, zone 7b. I was consistently seeing advice not to over water these plants due to root rot, All 4 plants I planted died, all in different locations. I have woolly creeping thyme and lavender growing well. I am now certain my coneflowers were not getting enough water. I am going to plant seeds for the first time, but I might brave an actual plant or 2 again.
One of my gardens at my house is an all-white garden, and I planted a variety of Echinacea with white blooms called “Pow Wow” which I love because unlike most other varieties of white Echinacea, the blooms on the Pow Wow variety are pure, snow white rather than the more cream-colored blooms on other so-called “white” varieties. My Pow Wow’s remind me of little clouds every time I look at them. I love them!
Looks like you have some kind of cultivar of coneflower. I have hundreds of straight species of echinacea and I don’t have to do squat for them. Deer don’t touch them, I don’t have to ever water them(zone 7 southern VA where it gets real hot) and I’ve had them for almost ten years now. I also never prune them as they keep flowering all summer and fall. My cultivar echinacea do need pampering though.
Great article! About 2-3 weeks ago we transplanted three Artisan Red Ombre Coneflowers that are about three years old. They adapted to the new space very quickly and all have tons of flower buds! However, one of them already has one flower and to my surprise the bloom is yellow instead of red! I’m guessing this has something to do with cross pollination from my Cheyanne Spirit Coneflowers I have in another location in my yard. I’m just not sure how this works though. Will my plant now only have yellow blooms and is this permanent?
So… What do I do if more than one of mine are dying from root rot. Others are doing great while some start dying. I’ve even seen this on some that survived the winter just to shoot new small leaves and then completely wilt and rot away. I barely watered them this year too. And surprisingly, this year was not a wet winter. I’m suspecting fungus issues.