Echinacea purpurea

Common Names

Purple Coneflower, Coneflower, Eastern Purple Coneflower, Narrow-Leaved Purple Coneflower, Indian Head, Scurvy Root, Comb Flower, Hedge Hog, Black Susans

Summary

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is a hardy North American perennial that typically grows 2–4 ft tall and 1–2 ft wide, with large pink-to-purple, daisy-like flowers from June through August and a spiky central cone that attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, tolerates drought once established, and is deer resistant; it commonly self-seeds in suitable gardens.

Widely grown ornamentally and valued for herbal uses, it has a long ethnobotanical history with immunostimulant properties described in research. Propagation is by seed or division, with division every 3–4 years to prevent overcrowding; numerous cultivars exist (e.g., Magnus, White Swan, Ruby Star, Kim’s Knee High) offering a range of colors. Deadheading is optional, and seed heads may reseed if left in place. Sources note its suitability for borders, prairie-meadow, and pollinator plantings.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

2-5 feet

Spread

18-24 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-9

Sunlight Requirements

Full Sun to Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained soil (preferably sandy or loamy) with neutral to slightly acidic pH; tolerates clay if drainage is good.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

6.0-7.0, Neutral

Bloom Color

Purple

Bloom Time

Summer

Foliage Color

Dark green, Gray-green, Green, Medium to dark green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow-growing; roots take 3-4 years to reach harvestable size

Seasons of Interest

Summer and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division, Root cuttings, Stem cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, butterflies, other pollinators, and birds