How to Grow Coneflower

About Growing Coneflower in Your Home Flower Garden

Here’s a flower that is a true Native American wildflower! There are 9 species of coneflowers. It’s no surprise that they look similar to daisies, because they are members of the daisy family. Perennial Coneflower plants are hardy prairie plants that are easy to grow and require little care. If you’re looking for a beautiful flower atop a plant that is heat and drought-resistant, you’ve selected the right plant. Use this guide to learn “How to Grow Coneflowers”. Then, buy some Coneflower seeds and get growing this beautiful American flower as a wildflower, or in your backyard garden.

If you are looking to attract butterflies and birds, you found the right flower. Not only are these flowers eye-catching to humans, but birds and butterflies like them too. The plants are deer resistant.

Try growing Coneflowers in perennial gardens, as borders, in rock gardens, and even in containers on your balcony or deck.

Your Coneflowers will make great cut flowers, as they grow on sturdy stems, and are long-lasting in a vase.

Being a prairie plant, it should come as no surprise to discover that Coneflowers are drought resistant.

Coneflower Plant Specifications

Flower Colors: Colors include red, gold, mauve, white, and purple.

Flowers Bloom: June through to the first Fall frost.

Plant Height: 2 to 3 feet. Some varieties grow up to 5 feet tall.

Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade.

Ideal Soil pH: 6.5 – 7.0.

Hardiness Zone: 3 – 9.

Toxicity: Non-toxic.

Deer Resistant?: Yes

Native To: All species are native to North America.

Plant Type: Perennial.

Botanical Name: Eichinacea

Are Coneflower Plants Edible?

YES!! All parts of the coneflower plant are edible. So, don’t hesitate to pull off some tender leaves or flowers and chow down.

The leaves and flowers are often used in salads and as a potherb for flavoring soups and stews. Use the leaves in the same manner you use spinach. It’s a good substitute.

Medicinal Uses for Coneflowers

There is no shortage of medicinal applications for coneflower plants. Researchers suggest it is good for both short and long-term use. Here are some of them:

Use it to soothe upset stomach and indigestion.
It treats bladder and viral infections.
People use it as a herbal remedy for the flu and common colds.
It is an anti-inflammatory.
Treat and soothe burns and rashes.
The plant is loaded with antioxidants, helping to fight diabetes and heart problems.
Use it to boost immune system health.
Studies suggest it can help to fight and avoid cancers.

Perennial Coneflower Plant Propagation

Coneflower is grown from seed. Directly sow Coneflower seeds into your flower garden. They can also be spread around a field to grow like wildflowers.

Sow Coneflower seeds early in the season and cover with 1/4″ of garden soil. Space seeds or seedlings 12-18″ apart.

Also, you can propagate Coneflowers by separation and division of the roots of established plants. It is best to separate and re-plant clumps in the spring.

Days to Germination: 15 – 20 days.

Coneflower Plant Light Requirements

Coneflower plants grow best in full, bright sunlight. Pant and grow them in an area where they receive sunlight all day long.

If the plants receive insufficient light, they grow lanky. And, the flower stems, can fall over.

How to Grow Coneflower Perennial Plants

Coneflower plants are very easy to grow. They grow best in full sun.

The plants will do well in almost any soil that is well-draining. The plants tolerate dry soil conditions very well.

Watering them during dry periods will help to maximize plant growth and health.

Add a general-purpose fertilizer once or twice a season.

The plants will form many branches. Prune dead leaves and branches as necessary.

Once your Coneflower plants are established, they will grow well and bloom from midsummer until frost. Some varieties will not bloom until the second year.

Avoid overcrowding. It is time to divide and separate the plants when you notice the plants grow less tall and/or produce fewer and smaller blooms.

Being very hardy, they will likely survive the first light frosts before going dormant for the winter. These hardy plants do not require mulching or protection in the winter.

Also See: Plant Problems – causes and cures.

Pruning Coneflower Plants

Keep the plant vibrant, healthy, and attractive by pruning away dead or sickly-looking leaves and branches.

Remove spent blooms as soon as the flower has died. Cut the flower stem where it meets the plant stem. This encourages new blooms and extends the flowering period. See Deadheading Flowers.

How to Overwinter Coneflower Plants

Coneflower plants over winter well in most areas.

After frosts and freezes have killed growth for the year, cut the plants down to the ground. However, if you do not get to this task until spring, the new sprig growth will be just fine.

In northern regions of the country, apply a heavy layer of mulch on top of the soil this protects the plant roots from freezing during the winter months.

Insects and Plant Disease

Coneflower is resistant to insects and disease. If insect or disease problems occur, treat early with organic or chemical insect repellents and fungicide.