Purple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea
flowerA tough, drought-tolerant North American native perennial producing large pink daisy-like flowers with prominent dark spiky cones from mid-summer through fall. One of the most important late-season pollinator plants and an outstanding cut flower. Also the source of the herbal supplement echinacea. Extremely easy to grow and long-lived.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 5 days
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Bloom
~75 days
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
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Spacing
18-24 in
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Planting Depth
1/8-1/4 in seed; crown at soil level for transplants
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Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Growing Details
Soil Type
Average
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 9
When to Fertilize
Minimal; top-dress with compost in early spring every 2 to 3 years
Fertilizer
Compost top-dressing only; overfertilizing causes excessive height and floppy stems
🌱 Growing Guide
Start from seed (cold-stratified or direct-sown in fall for spring germination), transplants, or divisions in spring. Plant in full sun to light shade in average to lean soil — overly rich soil causes floppy stems. Established plants are exceptionally drought-tolerant. Deadhead to prolong bloom or leave spent seed heads for goldfinches in fall and winter. Divide every 3 to 4 years to rejuvenate.
🌼 Have a different variety?Cultivars of the same species usually share the same basic care — they differ mainly in flower color, height, and bloom form, not in how you grow them. So this guide still applies even if your exact variety isn't the one shown.
Planting Calendar
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Start seeds indoors
Feb 18
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Transplant outdoors
Apr 1
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Projected first bloom
Jun 15
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Most vegetables — Late-season pollinator magnet sustaining beneficial insects into September and October
- Bee Balm — Sequential bloom succession supports pollinators from early summer into fall
- Yarrow — Native perennial combination for season-long beneficial insect habitat
- Black-Eyed Susan — Native prairie combination that self-maintains with minimal care
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Phytoplasma disease spread by leafhoppers; remove infected plants immediately; control leafhoppers with kaolin clay
Plant in full sun with good airflow; late-season mildew is usually cosmetic and tolerated
Apply beneficial nematodes to soil in spring; avoid mulching right against crowns
The abundant beneficial insects attracted by coneflower typically keep aphid populations in check naturally
🌸 Blooms & cutting
Cut for fresh use when petals are just beginning to reflex backward away from the cone. Vase life is 5 to 10 days. Dry by hanging upside down in small bundles for wreaths and dried arrangements. For echinacea tea, harvest roots in fall of the third year; dry thoroughly before storing.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
As a companion plant: one of the top 10 native plants for supporting pollinators in the eastern U.S. Attracts over 50 bee species plus monarch and swallowtail butterflies. Seed heads feed goldfinches and other birds through winter. Roots contain alkylamides and polysaccharides used in herbal immune support.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.