Growing Coneflower: How to Grow & Care for Echinacea
Learn about purple coneflower and other vibrant Echinacea plants
Color Coded® 'The Fuchsia is Bright' coneflower. Photo by: Proven Winners.
Coneflowers are popular perennials with good reason. They are heat and drought resistant, easy to grow, bloom for months, make great cut flowers, and attract birds and pollinators.
Coneflowers come in glorious shades of pink, orange, yellow, red, and chartreuse, as well as a range of flower forms—standard shuttlecock to horizontal ruffs to doubles with a powder-puff center. What more could you ask?
On this page: Basics | Growing Tips | Care | Pictures | FAQs | Design Ideas
On this page:
- Coneflower Basics
- How to Plant Coneflower
- Coneflower Care
- Coneflower Pictures
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Design Tips
BASICS
Zones: 3-9, varies by species
Height/Spread: Varieties 2 to 5 feet tall and 1-1/2 to 2 feet wide.
Exposure: Most coneflowers thrive in full sun; some tolerate light shade, especially in hot southern climates. (See more full-sun perennials.)
Bloom time: Varies by species and cultivar, but bloom times usually range from June to August or later.
Flower color: Purple, pink, red, orange, white, yellow, and green varieties are available.
Types: While the purple coneflower, Echinacea purpurea, is most familiar to gardeners, there are other varieties including E. paradoxa, E. pallida, and E. tennesseensis. All are native to the U.S., found in areas across the Midwest and South. Echinacea purpurea, E. angustifolia, and E. pallida are commonly used in herbal remedies.
PLANTING CONEFLOWER
When to plant: Coneflowers are best planted in spring or early fall when temperatures are mild, giving the roots time to establish before extreme weather.
Where to plant: Echinacea should be planted in an area that receives 6 to 8 hours of sunlight a day, as too much shade can result in floppy stems and foliage susceptible to powdery mildew. However, some afternoon shade can prevent burning in southern climates.
How to plant: To plant Echinacea seeds, loosen the soil to a depth of 12 inches. Add compost to the top 2-4 inches of soil. Seeds take approximately 3 to 4 weeks to germinate, and you should see true leaves at about 12 weeks. If transplanting, dig a hole twice as wide as the pot and deep enough so that the rootball will be level with the top of the soil.
PowWow Wild Berry purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea). Photo by: Proven Winners.
CONEFLOWER CARE
These easy-care perennials require only the basics: regular watering of about an inch per week, a light layer of compost added in the spring, and to be cut back in fall, and even that’s optional if you prefer to leave the seed heads.
Deadheading and pruning: Deadheading isn’t necessary, as many coneflowers bloom continuously without it. Leaving spent flowers not only adds winter interest but also provides seed for birds like goldfinches. Plants can be cut back to the ground in fall or spring, but consider leaving 12–24 inches of stem standing. According to North Carolina State Extension, native bees often nest in the hollow stems, so allowing them to remain can support overwintering pollinators.
Soil: Average, well-drained soil.
Amendments & fertilizer: Work a bit of compost in around the plants if flowers are small or poorly developed. Be careful, over-feeding can lead to an abundance of foliage and a lack of flowers.
Watering: Water regularly, but let soil dry out a bit in between. Coneflowers are drought tolerant, but do best in average, dry-to-medium moisture. Coneflowers need at least an inch of water weekly.
Dividing: Divide clumps when crowded, about every 4 years.
Re-seeding: If spent flowers are left intact, they will reseed with little effort on your part. Deadheading can help to control this if they are getting out of hand. Some gardeners choose a middle ground and collect the seeds to plant in carefully selected spots the following season. (Watch a short video from Spoken Garden on how to collect coneflower seeds.)
Diseases and pests: One problem worth noting is aster yellows, a disease caused by a phytoplasma, spread by sap-sucking insects like leafhoppers (can also be spread on pruners when deadheading). It causes deformed blooms, yellowing leaves with green veins, and odd tufts in coneflower cones. According to the Missouri Botanical Garden, there is no cure, so early diagnosis and removal of infected plants is key to preventing its spread.
Coneflowers can also be bothered by leaf miners, powdery mildew, bacterial spots, gray mold, vine weevils, and Japanese beetles.
CONEFLOWER VARIETIES
Photo by: Proven Winners.
Summersong™ Firefinch™ — Buy now from Proven Winners
Echinacea hybrid
Zones: 4-8
Height/Spread: 12 to 16 inches tall, 16 to 18 inches wide
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Bloom Time: Summer through fall
Packing bold color in a compact form, with blooms in shades of reddish-orange to pinkish red. Its shorter height makes it ideal for smaller spaces, front borders, and containers; perfect for adding long-lasting summer-to-frost color in tight spots.
Photo by: Proven Winners.
Color Coded® 'Yellow My Darling' — Buy now from Proven Winners
Echinacea hybrid
Zones: 4-8
Height/Spread: 18 to 24 inches tall, 16 to 20 inches wide
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Bloom Time: Mid to late summer
Bring a sunny glow to the garden with golden blooms that mellow to soft yellow over time. Its abundant petals and excellent branching make for a full, flower-packed display that lasts for weeks. A standout for late-season color, pollinator appeal, and winter bird support.
Photo by: Proven Winners.
Color Coded® 'Frankly Scarlet' — Buy now from Proven Winners
Echinacea hybrid
Zones: 4-8
Height/Spread: 26 to 28 inches tall, 16 to 20 inches wide
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Bloom Time: Summer through fall
Light up the late-season garden with 4-inch scarlet-orange blooms that fade to coral, drawing in pollinators and later feeding birds with its seed heads. A vibrant, branching variety that adds bold color and structure from summer through winter.
Photo by: Proven Winners.
Color Coded® 'The Fuchsia is Bright' — Buy now from Proven Winners
Echinacea hybrid
Zones: 4-8
Height/Spread: 20 to 22 inches tall, 16 to 18 inches wide
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Bloom Time: Summer through fall
Make a bold statement with vivid 4½" fuchsia pink blooms, dark charcoal cones, and matching stems for striking contrast. With broad, horizontal petals and outstanding garden performance, it’s a showstopper in sunny beds, borders, and pollinator plantings.
Photo by: Proven Winners
Double Coded® 'Everything's Rosy' — Buy now from Proven Winners
Echinacea hybrid
Zones: 4-8
Height/Spread: 20 to 24 inches tall and wide
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Bloom Time: Summer through fall
A burst of midsummer charm with fully double 4" blooms, rosy central poms surrounded by soft pink ray petals. Its low, wide habit and dense foliage make it ideal for front borders, delivering long-lasting color and a softer pink alternative to deeper-toned varieties.
Photo by: Rob Cardillo.
PowWow Wild Berry
Echinacea purpurea 'PowWow Wildberry'
Zones: 3-8
Height/Spread: 18 to 24 inches tall, 18 inches wide
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Bloom Time: June to September
A vibrant burst of deep purple-pink blooms that hold their color beautifully as they age. Compact yet flower-packed, this low-maintenance perennial blooms freely without deadheading and adds bold color to borders, beds, and pollinator gardens.
Photo by: Walters Gardens, Inc..
'Magnus'
Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus'
Zones: 3-8
Height/Spread: 36 inches tall, 18 to 24 inches wide
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Bloom Time: Mid-summer through early fall
A time-tested favorite with large, flat rose pink petals and bold coppery cones. Its vibrant blooms age to a softer hue, creating a striking two-tone effect across the clump. Sturdy and vigorous, it’s a standout in any sunny border or pollinator garden.
Photo by: Walters Gardens, Inc..
'Cheyenne Spirit'
Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit'
Zones: 4-9
Height/Spread: 22 to 30 inches tall, 18 to 28 inchess wide
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Bloom Time: Early summer through early fall
Bursting with a vibrant mix of colors—red, orange, magenta, yellow, and white—all on bushy, well-branched plants. This seed-grown variety flowers in its first year and brings bold, long-lasting color to borders, beds, and pollinator-friendly gardens.
Photo courtesy: Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.
‘Maui Sunshine’
Echinacea
Zones: 3-8
Height/Spread: 2 to 3 feet tall, 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 feet wide
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Bloom Time: June to August
Brighten the garden with large, sweetly scented yellow blooms that soften with age. Strong stems and abundant flowers make it ideal for cutting, while its orange-green cones add extra visual interest in both fresh and dried arrangements.
Photo by: Rob Cardillo.
‘White Swan’
Echinacea purpurea 'White Swan'
Zones: 3-8
Height/Spread: 2 to 3 feet tall, 1 to 2 feet wide
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Bloom Time: June to August
Features slightly shorter stems than pink varieties, with reflexed white petals, coppery-orange cones, and a light honey fragrance. Its sturdy blooms appear from late June into fall, creating a crisp, elegant contrast when planted with pink coneflowers.
Photo by: GWI/Floramedia.
‘Tangerine Dream’
Echinacea 'Tangerine Dream'
Zones: 3-8
Height/Spread: 1-1/2 to 2 feet tall and wide
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Bloom Time: June to August
Light up the landscape with vivid, honey-scented orange blooms that hold their color beautifully. With wide branching and sturdy, upright stems, it’s perfect for mass plantings or cutting gardens, delivering a long season of bold color from late spring to frost.
Photo by: Richard Bloom.
‘Green Envy’
Echinacea purpurea
Zones: 4-9
Height/Spread: 2 to 3 feet tall, 1-1/2 to 2 feet wide
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Bloom Time: July to September
A stand-out variety with its unique bicolor blooms; apple green petals flushed with pink for an eye-catching effect. Growing up to 3 feet tall, it’s a striking addition to sunny borders, containers, or cut flower arrangements, with blooms that attract pollinators and feed birds in fall.
Photo by: Rob Cardillo.
‘Razzmatazz’
Echinacea purpurea
Zones: 3-9
Height/Spread: 2 to 2-1/2 feet tall, 1-1/2 to 2 feet wide
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Bloom Time: June to August
Add bold flair with rose pink, fully double blooms that resemble pom-poms. Upright and sturdy, this mid-sized perennial blooms from summer into fall, bringing vibrant color and texture to borders, beds, and cutting gardens.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are coneflowers deer resistant? Many gardeners report that they are deer resistant. Their spiny centers and strong aroma deter deer. However, if deer are hungry enough, they will eat almost anything. Other animals that may take a taste include rabbits, squirrels and woodchucks.
Do coneflowers attract bees and butterflies? Yes! Coneflowers attract butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and even songbirds. Their long-blooming flowers offer abundant nectar for pollinators, while the seed heads provide food for birds well into fall. See more Bee-Friendly Flowers & Plants for Hummingbirds.
Do coneflowers come back every year? Yes, coneflowers are herbaceous perennials in most zones (USDA Zones 3–9), returning each year from their roots even if the top growth dies back in winter.
Why are my coneflowers flopping over? Flopping may be due to too much shade, overly rich soil, or overcrowding. Taller varieties may benefit from staking in windy areas.
Can I divide coneflowers? Yes, every few years in early spring or fall. Division can help control size and rejuvenate older plants. See more on how to divide perennials.
When should I cut back coneflowers? Cut back in fall after bloom or wait until spring to support wildlife with the seed heads.
Can I grow coneflowers in a container? Yes, dwarf and compact varieties grow well in containers. Make sure the pot has good drainage and enough room for root development.
Summersong™ Firefinch™ coneflower. Photo by: Proven Winners.
LANDSCAPING IDEAS WITH CONEFLOWER
- Mix early- and late-blooming varieties to enjoy colorful flowers up to 5 months. Early-bloomers like ‘Green Jewel’ and ‘Merlot’ start flowering in May, while cultivars such as ‘Fatal Attraction’, ‘Pica Bella’, and ‘Springbrook’s Crimson Star’ continue into September.
- Russian sage, black-eyed Susan, Shasta daisy, phlox and liatris make complimentary garden companions.
- Excellent choice for cut flowers with their long, strong stems.
- Add color and height to a mixed container planting.
- Plant in masses in borders, meadows, native plant and wildflower gardens.
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