Echinacea Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners

Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 24th Nov 2023

In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Echinacea plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.

Coneflower, Hedgehog Plant: Cultivation & Garden Use

Echinacea plants are hardy perennials.

They bloom from the summer until the beginning of autumn. When in bloom they display white or red daisy-like flowers.

Some Common names for members of the Echinacea plant genus include Coneflower, Purple Coneflower, and Hedgehog Coneflower.

They typically reach heights of between 60 cm and 1.2 m (2 to 4 feet). This makes them ideal for use in garden borders. Echinacea attract bees, birds, and butterflies to the garden, and also make a fantastic dried flower.

Visit this page for specific advice on growing Echinacea purpurea plants.

Echinacea purpurea by asdfawev.

EchinaceaGrowing Guide and Facts

Common Names: Coneflower, Hedgehog Coneflower, Purple coneflower.
Life Cycle: Hardy perennial.
Height: 24 to 58 inches (60 to 140 cm).
Native: Northern America.
Family: Asteraceae.
Growing Region: Zones 3 to 9.
Flowers: Summer through to early autumn.
Flower Details: White, purple, yellow, red. Daisy-like ray and disc florets. Spiny centers resemble hedgehog spikes.
Foliage: Herbaceous. Elliptic. Obovate.
Sow Outside: 1/8 inch (3 mm).Start of spring - before the last frost, or in the first months of autumn. Spacing 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 cm).
Sow Inside: Echinacea Germination time: one to three weeks. Temperature: 70 to 75°F (21 to 24°C). Eight to ten weeks in advance. Transplant outdoors before the last frost or in early autumn.
Requirements and care: Full sunlight or slight shade. Good drainage. Soil pH 5.5 to 7.0. Average to poor soil. Can survive in dry soils. Regular watering, avoiding leaf splash to prevent mildew. Cut back inflorescences to the ground at the end of autumn.
Propagate: Root cuttings can be taken in the spring, or propagate by dividing in the spring in cold areas, or the autumn in warmer areas.
Miscellaneous: Named after the Greek word for Hedgehog.

How to Grow Coneflower (Echinacea)

If you plan to grow Coneflowers outdoors from seeds, then they should be sown at a depth of 3 mm (1/8th inch) Do this either in autumn or early in Spring.

Coneflowers should be grown in a sunny or lightly shaded area of the garden. This location should have good drainage and ideally a soil that has a pH between 5.5 and 7.

If you first plan to grow seedlings of Echinacea species indoors, then they should be started off about 9 or 10 weeks in advance. Plant out in early autumn, or before the last frost of spring.

It usually takes about two to three weeks for Coneflower seeds to germinate. Do this in the dark at a temperature of 21 to 24 degrees centigrade (70 to 75°F).

Once ready to be transplanted in the garden, the Coneflower plants should be put out using a spacing of about 30 cm / 12 inches (small) to 60 cm / 24 inches (larger plants) apart.

Caring for Coneflower and other Echinacea Plants

When Echinacea plants are growing in the garden they require regular watering. Their inflorescence stems should be cut back to ground level at the end of autumn.

If you require more plants, then Coneflower can be divided in the autumn. Alternatively, cuttings can be taken from the roots in the spring.

Common Questions

How many members does the Echinacea genus have?

The Echinacea genus is made up of approximately nine species.

Do members of Echinacea make a good garden or landscaping plant?

Yes, Echinacea, also known as Coneflowers, are wonderful perennial garden plants with their bold, colorful flowers.

Which Echinacea species are most frequently grown by gardeners?

The Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is a favorite among gardeners.

Are members of the Echinacea plant genus fragrant?

Yes, some Echinacea species have a mild fragrance, particularly when the leaves are crushed.

What is the perfect location to grow Echinacea?

Echinacea prefers full sun to light shade and well-drained soil.

Is Echinacea invasive in the USA, if so in which states?

Currently, Echinacea is not considered invasive in the USA.

How do I remove Echinacea plants from my garden?

Echinacea can be removed by digging up the plant, making sure to remove all roots to prevent regrowth.

Summary

The Echinacea genus, also known as Coneflowers, consists nine species of flowering plants native to North America. These perennials are loved for their large, daisy-like flowers with raised centers, which bloom from midsummer to fall and are highly attractive to pollinators.

Echinacea plants prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They are drought-tolerant once established and can be grown from seeds or division. They make excellent border plants and cut flowers, and have also been used in traditional medicine. Coneflowers come in a range of colors, from the traditional purple to yellow, orange, and even green.

I hope that you found this guide on how to grow Echinacea plants in your garden. You may also enjoy my gardening guides on how to grow Ragwort, Helianthus plant, and Tagetes plants.