Plant field guide
Coneflower
Native prairie flower beloved by butterflies and birds. Seed heads provide winter interest.
Growing requirements
- Scientific name
- Echinacea purpurea
- Sun
- full sun
- Water
- low
- Height
- 24 in (61 cm) – 48 in (122 cm)
- Spread
- 18 in (46 cm) – 24 in (61 cm)
- Spacing
- Not recorded
- Hardiness zones & minimum temperature
- USDA 3–8; average annual extreme minimum from -40°F (-40.0°C). Hardiness does not predict local frost dates.
- Difficulty
- easy
Planting & seasonal timing
Northern Hemisphere planting months: not yet verified in our database.
Northern Hemisphere pruning months: March.
For the Southern Hemisphere, these seasonal windows shift approximately six months. Check your local frost forecast, soil temperature, and species requirements; calendar months are not a guarantee of planting safety.
Drought tolerant. Leave seed heads for birds.
Pruning
Leave seed heads standing through winter for birds. Cut back dead stems in early spring before new growth.
Fertilizer
None needed
Thrives without fertilizer
Mulch
2 inches of organic mulch.