Plant Care

How to Grow Echinacea

Echinacea, is a resilient and vibrant perennial known for its daisy-like blooms and distinctive central cone. A favourite in diverse gardens, from cottage-style to prairie-inspired landscapes, Echinacea thrives across various climates, including the UK. These hardy plants, particularly the famed Echinacea purpurea with its enchanting pink petals and orange-brown cone, are perfect for attracting pollinators. With a range of varieties like 'Magnus' and 'Mistra', gardeners can choose from an array of heights, flower colours, and cone sizes. Learn how to grow Echinacea from seed, and enjoy their low-maintenance charm and enduring grace in your garden.

Jump to:

Seeds Needs Seasonal S.O.S.

Grow Echinacea From Seed

For successful Echinacea growth, choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Sow seeds in August to enjoy vibrant flowers between July and September the following year. Fill a pot with seed compost, leaving a small gap, sprinkle 3-6 seeds on top, lightly cover with compost, pat down and water gently. Cover with a clear bag until germination, then transfer seedlings to a cold frame for protection over winter After the last frost of spring plant seedlings in a sunny garden area giving them enough space to grow strong spring leaves.

Keep warm during germination, on a sunny windowsill or greenhouse.

What Echinacea Needs

Watering: Water infrequently as Echinacea prefers to be in a drain-free soil. Position: Echinacea prefers to be in full sun. Pruning: Deadhead the flowers as they fade to encourage more to form.

Growing Echinacea Across the Season

Spring

Plant out Echinacea after the last frosts and clear away any overgrowth to allow room to grow.

Summer

Sow new Echinacea plants in summer flowers the following year.

Autumn

Continue to deadhead echinacea blooms to encourage more flowers.

Winter

Cut back Echinacea during the winter months and if new sprouts keep in a cold frame over winter.

Echinacea S.O.S.

If your coneflowers (Echinacea) are wilting and dying, showing symptoms of wilting flowers, browning leaves, and stem-by-stem plant death, it is likely due to sclerotinia stem and root rot caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. This fungal disease thrives in damp conditions and can be diagnosed by examining the roots for black areas or a weak root system. Excessive rainfall or high humidity can create a favourable environment for this disease. Considering that echinacea plants are drought-tolerant and do not require frequent watering, it is worth evaluating if consistent watering in the perennial bed contributes to the issue. Relocating the coneflowers to an area with less watering may be a beneficial solution.

How to Grow Echinacea

Spring

Summer

Autumn

Winter

Don't leave plants waterlogged.