🌸 Echinacea: Growing Guide
Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) grows best in full sun with little water, and does well at −30 to 35 °C (−22 to 95 °F) in soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. Space plants about 45 cm (18 in) apart. Expect 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Echinacea purpurea |
|---|---|
| Category | Medicinal |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Low |
| Plant spacing | 45 cm (18 in) |
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.0 |
| Comfortable temperature | −30 to 35 °C (−22 to 95 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season) |
| Sowing depth | 0.5 cm (0.2 in) |
| Height | 60–120 cm (24–47 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||
| Continental | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||
| Oceanic | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||
| Subtropical | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | |||||
| Tropical | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | |||||
| Cold / Northern | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Mar · Plant out: Apr · Harvest: May–Jul.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: Mar · Plant out: Apr · Harvest: May–Jul.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Mar · Plant out: Apr · Harvest: May–Jul.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Sow: Jan, Aug · Plant out: Feb, Sep · Harvest: Mar–Apr, Oct.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Sow: Jan, Jul · Plant out: Feb, Aug · Harvest: Mar–Apr, Sep.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Sow: Apr · Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Jul.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Sow: Feb · Plant out: Mar · Harvest: Apr–May.
Watering
Water about every 5 days in summer and about every 14 days in winter. Hardy once established.
Growing tips
Medicinal and ornamental! Traditionally used in herbal teas. Attracts bees and butterflies.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Frequently asked questions
Echinacea: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Mar · Plant out: Apr · Harvest: May–Jul. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: Mar · Plant out: Apr · Harvest: May–Jul. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Mar · Plant out: Apr · Harvest: May–Jul.
Echinacea: how often should I water it?
Water about every 5 days in summer and about every 14 days in winter. Hardy once established.
Echinacea: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 45 cm (18 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 0.5 cm (0.2 in).
Echinacea: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Echinacea: which plants grow well with it?
Rudbeckia, Salvia.
Plan your garden
Add Echinacea to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
Open the free planner →