Coneflower (Echinacea)

Plant family

Daisy family (Asteraceae)

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Dry

Soil

Medium (loamy)

Nutrient requirement

Low

Seeding distance

50 cm

Row spacing

50 cm

Seeding depth

2 cm

Instructions

Description

The coneflowers, false coneflowers or hedgehog heads, belong to the composite family (Asteraceae). They are perennial, herbaceous plants that can grow up to 1.5 m tall. They are often white to purple, or yellow. They are grown primarily as medicinal, but also as ornamental plants. Insect friendly.

Growing tips

Sow in spring. Cold and dark germinator. Germination after 2-3 weeks at 15-20°C. Some varieties need a cold stimulus. The perennials are planted in the fall, as they grow better then, and the roots are briefly soaked in water before planting. Water on dry days, it reacts sensitively to waterlogging. In sheltered locations, the coneflower is less prone to bending over. Fertilize with slow-release fertilizer in spring. Do not overfertilize. Most varieties are hardy. Some newer varieties are somewhat more sensitive to frost. Can be propagated by seed or division. Also good in a border with sheaths, stonecrops, splendid varieties, blue rue or grasses.