Plant field guide
Echinacea (Purple Coneflower)
Iconic native prairie flower with distinctive cone-shaped centers and drooping petals. A cornerstone of pollinator gardens. New hybrid colors range from hot coral to lime green.
Growing requirements
- Scientific name
- Echinacea purpurea
- Sun
- full sun
- Water
- low
- Height
- 18 in (46 cm) – 36 in (91 cm)
- Spread
- 12 in (30 cm) – 18 in (46 cm)
- Spacing
- 18 in (46 cm)
- Hardiness zones & minimum temperature
- USDA 3–9; 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.
Native, drought-tolerant, and deer resistant. Leave seed heads for winter bird food and architectural interest. 'Magnus' and 'PowWow' are reliable garden performers.
Pruning
Leave seed heads for birds and winter interest. Cut back dead stems in early spring. Deadhead hybrids to prolong bloom.
Fertilizer
None needed
Does not need fertilizer (lean soil produces strongest plants)
Mulch
2 inches of organic mulch.