How To Plant, Grow And Care Echinacea

The best time to plant echinacea is either in spring or fall. 

Spring

Spring is the best time to plant echinacea. This is when the soil is moist and temperatures are cool. These conditions are perfect for establishing a strong root system before the summer heat arrives.

Spring planting minimizes transplant shock and reduces plant stress by harsh summer conditions. Aim to plant them after the danger of frost has passed and the soil temperature has warmed to at least 65°F (18°C).

Fall

You can also plant echinacea in the fall. Planting in the fall enables natural stratification before winter, enhancing germination rates for certain Echinacea varieties. This timing also allows the plants to develop roots before winter, resulting in healthier plants in the spring.

Ensure they are planted six weeks before the first frost to allow adequate rooting time. Although fall-planted echinacea might not bloom the following year, they will be well-established and ready to bloom in the second year.

Where To Plant

Echinacea needs certain conditions to thrive, so they should be planted where these conditions are met. These conditions include:

Sunlight

Echinacea are sun-loving plants, meaning they need at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. This sunshine promotes optimal growth, flowering, and overall plant health for echinacea.

If full sun is not possible, they can tolerate partial shade, which means receiving around 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. However, plants in partial shade might produce fewer flowers than those in full sun.

Soil

Echinacea are not fussy with soil, but there are a few requirements. Here is a breakdown of its soil preferences:

Ideal Soil Conditions

Echinaceas need well-draining soil because if the soil does not drain properly, it becomes waterlogged. Echinacea dislike waterlogged soil as they can suffer from root rot. Sandy loam is ideal, but other well-draining mixes work too.

These plants can tolerate various soil qualities, from average to even poor soil. However, richer soil will lead to more vibrant and abundant blooms. Also, echinacea prefers a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH, ideally between 6.0 and 7.0. However, they can tolerate a wide range between 5.5 to 7.5.

Improving Drainage

If your soil is heavy clay and not draining well, amend it with sand or compost. This amendment will help create a looser structure that allows water to drain effectively.

Airflow

Echinacea benefits from good air circulation. It helps prevent fungal diseases caused by spores that thrive in stagnant, humid environments. By allowing air to circulate the plant, moisture evaporates more readily. This environment is less hospitable for harmful spores.

Airflow also helps to strengthen the stems of Echinacea. The gentle breeze encourages them to develop thicker, sturdier stems to support their weight.

How to Ensure Good Airflow

When planting Echinacea, follow the recommended spacing guidelines. This spacing allows for adequate air circulation between individual plants.

Do not overcrowd Echinacea with other plants, as it can restrict airflow and create a more humid environment.

Humidity

When planting and growing echinacea, you also need to be aware of the humidity levels. These plants can tolerate a wide range of humidity levels, from average to low humidity, but cannot tolerate excessively high humidity. 

High humidity with poor air circulation can create ideal conditions for fungal diseases like powdery mildew. If you live in a humid climate and are worried about fungal diseases, ensure good air circulation for your echinacea by proper spacing, avoiding overcrowding, and deadheading spent flowers.

If you want your echinacea to bloom early, you can get a head start in spring by starting them indoors and transplanting them after the dangers of frost have passed.

1. Choose echinacea variety

Before you plant your seeds, you should decide the variety you want. Different varieties have different bloom colors, heights, and bloom times.

You should select based on your preferences and climate.

2. Prepare Seed Starting Mix and Trays

Fill your seed starting trays or pots with a well-draining, sterile seed starting mix. Lightly moisten the mix with water.

3. Sow the Seeds

Sow 2-3 Echinacea seeds per cell in your seed starting tray. Then, gently press the seeds into the mix. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of seed starting mix, about 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep.

Finally, water the trays with a watering can to moisten the mix.

4. Provide Light and Warmth

Place the seed trays in a sunny location or under grow lights, ensuring at least 12-16 hours of bright light daily.

Maintain a consistent temperature around 65-70°F (18-21°C).

5. Seedling Care

Keep the seed starting to mix moist but not waterlogged. Water regularly when the surface feels dry. After 10-20 days, seedlings might emerge. Remove the plastic cover if used to improve air circulation.

Once your seedlings have their first true leaves (not the tiny ones that come up first), thin them out so only the healthiest seedlings are left in each cell

6. Transplanting Seedlings Outdoors

A week before transplanting, gradually introduce them to the outdoors to acclimatize them to outdoor conditions. Prepare your planting site as described in the "prepare the planting site" step for outdoor planting.

Dig holes slightly larger than the root ball of each seedling. Carefully take the seedlings out of their pots, taking care not to damage the roots. Place the seedlings in the prepared holes, ensuring the crown sits slightly above the soil level.

Backfill the hole with soil and gently firm it around the base of the plant. Water the newly transplanted seedlings thoroughly.

Once you plant your echinacea, you should care for it to ensure it matures into a strong, healthy plant with vibrant blooms. Here is everything you need to know about echinacea plant care.

Watering

Echinacea needs regular watering during its first growing season to develop a healthy root system. Water consistently, letting the top inch of soil dry out slightly between waterings. Avoid soggy soil to prevent root rot.

After the first year, echinacea becomes drought-tolerant and can handle dry spells. Water deeply when the top few inches of soil feel dry. Also, look for signs of thirst, like wilting leaves and drooping stems, to know when to water your plant. If you live in areas with moderate precipitation, you can rely on rainfall to water your plants.

Deaheading

Deadheading your echinacea plant is unnecessary and depends on your desired outcome for the plant and your garden aesthetics.

You can deadhead if you want to encourage more flower production, keeps your echinacea plants looking neat and clean and stop your echinacea from spreading seeds around your garden.

Refrain from deaheading if you want to attract bees and butterflies to your garden, winter decorations and to collect flower seed to plant more echinacea later.

Fertilizing

Echinacea plants are low maintenance regarding nutrients and thrive well in average soil conditions without regular fertilization. Over-fertilizing can be harmful, causing excessive foliage growth and fewer blooms.

Fertilizing is best when your soil lacks fertility. A light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring can help young echinacea establish themselves. Light spring fertilizing can also be beneficial if the soil is nutrient-poor, such as sandy soils.

Consider using organic fertilizers like compost or composted manure for sustained nutrient release. If you are fertilizing, apply it in early spring before new growth emerges. You can try foliar feeding with a diluted liquid fertilizer solution.

Pests and Diseases

Echinaceas are pretty hardy but are still susceptible to pests and diseases. They can be affected by aphids, spider mites, slugs, powdery mildew, rust, and root rot. 
These pests and diseases can cause wilting, yellowing leaves, holes in leaves, root decay, white, powdery coating on the plants, and many more.

If these problems occur, you can treat the plant with appropriate treatments such as fungicides, discarding infected leaves, improving air circulation around plants, and ensuring proper drainage.

End-of-season help prepare your garden and plants for the winter months. These processes protect your plants, improve soil health, and lay the foundation for a successful spring growing season.

Clean Up

After the first frost, clean fallen leaves, dead stems, and other plant debris to reduce the risk of pests and diseases overwintering in your garden. Trim back dead or diseased foliage and flowers. For some plants, cut them back to their base.

Mulching

Add a layer of mulch around plants to help insulate the soil, retain moisture, and suppress weeds. This layer of mulch also protects plant roots from extreme temperature fluctuations. Ensure that mulch is not piled against plant stems to prevent rot and encourage healthy growth.

Soil Care

Test the soil for nutrients and pH levels to plan for necessary amendments. Incorporate compost or well-rotted manure into the soil to enhance its fertility and structure for the next growing season.

Winter Protection

Consider adding extra mulch or protective coverings to shield plants from extreme cold and frost if you live in an area with a harsh winter. If snow is common, it can naturally insulate and protect plants. 

Planting and growing echinacea can take a lot of time. If you want a faster method, you can propagate them. There are two methods for propagating: division and stem cuttings. Each of the methods has its pros and cons. Here is a breakdown of both methods:

Propagation by Division

Division is the fastest method to get echinacea to bloom and is less complicated than stem cuttings. It is ideal for rejuvenating overgrown echinacea clumps.

However, this method requires a mature echinacea plant, which is difficult if you do not already have one in your garden or cannot readily find one.

Steps:

• The best time to divide your plant is during spring or fall when the soil is cool and moist.
• Using a shovel or garden fork, carefully unearth the entire echinacea plant.
• With a sharp knife or pruner, divide the root clump into several sections. Each section should have healthy roots and at least 2-3 buds or shoots.
• Replant the divisions in prepared individual planting holes, ensuring the crown sits at the soil level. Water thoroughly to help them settle in.

Propagation by Stem Cuttings

Stem cuttings let you create plants that are the same as their parents. This is useful if you have a favorite Echinacea variety that you want to grow. Stem cuttings can also grow into new plants quicker than waiting for seeds to sprout and mature.

However, propagating with stem cuttings is more delicate and has a lower chance of success than division. It also requires more attention since they need to be kept moist and humid until they develop roots.

Steps:

• The best time to take cuttings is in late spring or early summer when the stems are growing but not blooming.
• Pick healthy stems that are not flowering and have at least 4-6 bumps.
• Make a clean cut at an angle below a node with a sharp knife or pruners. Take off the lower leaves, but leave 2 or 3 sets of leaves at the top.
• You can dip the cut end in rooting hormone (optional), then plant the stem in a pot with good drainage. Bury the node with leaves just slightly under the soil surface.
• Water the pot well and put it in a spot with indirect sunlight. Spritz the leaves with water occasionally if they look dry.
• Once the roots grow, acclimatize them to outdoor conditions.
• Then transplant them to a shaded spot outdoors for a few weeks before moving them to their permanent location.

1. Echinacea Purpurea (Purple Coneflower)

Purple coneflower is the most well-known and widely grown species. Popular varieties include magus with large, bright pink flowers with an orange central cone and white swan that produces large, pure white flowers with a prominent central cone. 

These flowers bloom from midsummer to fall and are known for their medicinal properties and wildlife attraction.

2. Echinacea ‘Sombrero’ Series

This series is known for its uniform growth, vibrant colors, and strong stems. They are compact and durable, making them suitable for garden beds and containers. 

The Sombrero Salsa Red has deep red flowers with a sturdy habit. Meanwhile, the Lemon Yellow has bright yellow flowers with a neat, compact growth habit.

3. Echinacea Paradoxa (Yellow Coneflower)

This species is known for its bright yellow flowers and long, thin petals. It is an unusual and striking variety that adds interest and color to any garden.

An example is the Sundown, a compact variety with large, bright yellow flowers.

4. Echinacea Tennesseensis (Tennessee Coneflower)

Tennessee coneflowers, as the name suggests, are native to the southeastern United States. This species has narrower, glabrous leaves and blooms in shades of pink to purple.

You can plant the cultivar Rocky Top, known for its vibrant pink flowers and strong, upright growth.

5. Echinacea Angustifolia (Narrow-Leaved Coneflower)

Narrow-leaved coneflowers have narrower leaves and are smaller but have more vibrant and showy flowers than purple coneflower. 

The blooms are pink to purple with an orange-brown center. Popular varieties include Pow Wow Wild Berry and Prairie Splendor.

6. Echinacea ‘Cheyenne Spirit’

This hybrid variety produces a mix of vibrant colors, including red, orange, yellow, and purple. It is known for its long-lasting blooms and compact growth.