Purple Coneflower Growing Guide

It may need shade in very hot weather, but otherwise loves warmth and sun. It can stand drought but also does well in wetter soil. If sowing in containers, sow seeds thinly in a lightweight soil mix. Press the seeds firmly into the soil and water. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. As seedlings appear, gradually expose them to direct light. When large enough to handle, transplant the flowers to pots, gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions. After spring frosts pass, transplant to the garden. Seeds can be started indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last spring frost. If directly sowing, after spring frosts past, sow in rows, then very lightly cover with soil. Press firmly into the soil and water. Thin to 8-20 inches apart.

Echinacea was the main ingredient in Meyer’s Blood Purifier, a patented herbal medicine for a variety of problems, from snakebites to typhoid fever.

To harvest Echinacea, using a shovel or a garden fork, lift the roots out of the ground around the Echinacea plant. I use a large shovel and basically dig up the whole root ball of the plant. Now you can take pieces of the root from the root ball to harvest or you can remove the whole plant to harvest the roots. Removing the whole plant can allow you to thin out your Echinacea patch. If you choose to just harvest parts of the root ball, you can place the remaining roots back in the ground to replant. Harvest echinacea flowers while they are in full bloom. Harvesting the roots takes a little more effort. You will need to dig up the plants to remove the entire root system. You can then cut the root back by about half and replant it. Clean the cut roots very well and cut them into smaller pieces. Let them dry completely, which can take a few weeks, and then store in an airtight container.

Dry coneflower under a screen in a cool, dark, and dry place. To preserve your leaves and buds simply take the dried parts and store them in a dark area in an airtight container. Coneflower can be stored with the whole head or just petals by picking them off the heads once dry.