Purple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea
A herbaceous perennial forming a basal rosette of coarse, dark green, ovate to lance-shaped leaves with a rough, hairy texture.
- Light
- Full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily
- Water
- Moderate drought tolerance once established; water regularly during the first growing season, allowing soil to dry out slightly between waterings
- Growth
- Herbaceous perennial with an upright, clump-forming habit, reaching a mature height of 2 to 4 feet and a spread of 1.5 to 2 feet with a moderate growth rate
Care instructions
Provide full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, and water deeply when the top few inches of soil become dry. Feed sparingly with balanced organic fertilizer in spring.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily
Watering
Moderate drought tolerance once established; water regularly during the first growing season, allowing soil to dry out slightly between waterings
Soil
Adaptable to various soil types including clay, loam, and sand, provided drainage is good; optimal pH ranges from 6.0 to 7.0
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9
Growth habit
Herbaceous perennial with an upright, clump-forming habit, reaching a mature height of 2 to 4 feet and a spread of 1.5 to 2 feet with a moderate growth rate
Bloom season
Blooms from mid-summer to late summer, producing large daisy-like flowers with prominent central cones and pink to purple ray petals
Propagation
Propagated easily from seeds sown in spring, root cuttings taken in winter or early spring, or by crown division in spring or autumn
Common pests & issues
Generally trouble-free, but susceptible to powdery mildew, aster yellows, and occasional damage from aphids or Japanese beetles in poorly drained or crowded conditions
Similar species
Rudbeckia fulgida (Orange Coneflower), which features similar coarse foliage and daisy-like flower heads but typically displays yellow rather than pink or purple ray petals