How to Grow Purple Coneflowers From Seed

Purple coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea), belonging to the Asteraceae family, provide stunning beauty in any flower garden or landscape. Growing up to 5 feet in height, the purple daisy-like petals surround a dark orange, cone-shaped center atop elongated stems and darker green foliage. Purple coneflowers, attractive to bees and butterflies, have long been used as a medicinal herb, which contains anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties. Despite the popularity of echinacea, studies show conflicting results when it comes to its efficacy as an immunity booster. Whether you grow purple coneflowers for curb appeal or health benefits, these magnificent blooms definitely attract attention.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

things you’ll need:

• Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) seeds
• Rake
• Shovel
• Organic compost
• Coarse sand
• Long toothpicks or straws
• Mulch
• Water-soluble fertilizer

1. Choose planting locations that offer full sunlight and well-draining soil. Purple coneflowers, while somewhat drought-tolerant, have better success in soil that retains some moisture.
2. Work 3 to 5 inches of organic compost into the existing soil to a depth of at least 4 to 6 inches, using a rake or shovel. If soil is heavy clay, add 1 to 2 inches of coarse sand along with the compost to improve drainage. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System recommends adding slow-release 12-6-6 fertilizer with the other amendments, at a rate of 2 lbs. per every 100 square feet of planting space.
3. Sow seeds at a depth of 1/8 inch, spaced at least 12 to 24 inches apart.
4. Insert a toothpick or straw close to each seed to mark its location. The marker allows you to detect which plants are the purple coneflower seedlings and which are weeds that need to be removed.
5. Cover seeds with a thin layer of soil and water gently to set them in place. Germination takes from 15 to 30 days in soil that consistently remains at 70 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer.
6. Keep soil moist but not waterlogged during the germination period. Water the soil, not the plant, to keep diseases and insects at bay.
7. Add 2 to 3 inches of mulch to the beds once the coneflowers have sprouted and develop at least two sets of true leaves. Mulch helps the soil to retain moisture and prevents weed formation.

Tips & Warnings

• According to the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, harvest roots, foliage and blooms during the second year of growth, when using the plants for medicinal purposes.

• Echinacea is easily propagated by seed or division, once the plants are established in the second year. The plants readily reseed if blooms are left to dry on the stems.