Organic Echinacea: Purple Coneflower

Organic Echinacea: Purple Cone Flower

Echinacea purpurea, commonly known as Purple Coneflower, is a hardy perennial prized for its striking purple-pink petals and prominent spiky central cone. It is both ornamental and functional, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies throughout the summer bloom period.

This drought-tolerant native plant is widely grown in ornamental gardens and prairie plantings. Once established, it is low-maintenance and long-lived, returning year after year with strong, upright growth and abundant blooms.

• Type: Perennial flowering plant
• Direct sow: Spring or fall (best started with cold stratification if direct sowing)
• Sun: Full sun
• Spacing: 18–24 inches
• Height: 24–48 inches
• Bloom time: Mid-summer to early fall (year 2 onward typically)

Echinacea grows best in well-drained soil and full sun conditions. Seeds may take time to germinate and often benefit from cold stratification. Once established, plants are drought-tolerant and require little maintenance. Deadheading can extend blooming, though leaving seed heads provides food for birds and winter interest.