Description
Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) – Planting & Care Guide
- Hardiness: Perennial in USDA zones 3–9; blooms mid–late summer; great for pollinators.
- Light: Full sun (6+ hrs); light shade reduces blooms.
Soil
- Type: Well-drained loam or sandy loam; tolerates average to poor soils.
- pH: 6.0–7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral).
- Drainage: Essential—avoid waterlogged clay; use raised beds or amend.
- Amendments: Work 2–3 in (5–7 cm) compost into top 6–8 in (15–20 cm). For heavy soil, add coarse sand/perlite. Do not over-fertilize.
- Mulch: 1–2 in (2.5–5 cm) organic mulch, kept off the crown.
- Containers: Gritty mix (60–70% potting soil + 30–40% perlite/pumice); large drainage holes.
Planting
- Timing: After last frost (spring) or early fall.
- Spacing: 18–24 in (45–60 cm).
- Depth: Set crown at soil level; firm in and water well.
- Water: Keep evenly moist for 6–8 weeks, then water deeply only in prolonged dry spells.
From Seed
- Outdoors: Sow after frost; lightly cover 1/8 in (3 mm).
- Indoors: Start 8–10 weeks pre–last frost; cold-moist stratify 4–6 weeks, then 70°F (21°C). Germinates in 10–20 days. Transplant at 2–3 true leaves.
Feeding
- Light feeder. Compost at planting; optional balanced slow-release in spring. Avoid high nitrogen.
Care
- Deadhead to extend bloom or leave some seedheads for birds/winter interest.
- Cut back spent stems in late winter/early spring.
- Divide every 3–4 years in spring if crowded.
Pests/Diseases
- Generally tough. Watch for Japanese beetles, leaf spots in humid weather, and aster yellows (remove infected plants).
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