Purple Coneflower Care and Growing Tips

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How to Grow Purple Coneflower

Common name: Purple coneflower
Scientific name: Echinacea purpurea
Hardiness zones: 3 to 9
Attracts: Birds, bees, and butterflies
Size: 2 to 5 feet tall, 1 to 2 feet wide
Grown for: A long bloom season that starts in mid-summer and goes through frost

These beloved perennials thrive in garden borders and beds, although they’re a welcome addition to cutting gardens, too. Beloved for their vibrant purple petals and their long-blooming flowers, purple coneflower plants have become a staple of backyard gardens and natural landscapes around the country.

Many gardeners especially enjoy their fuss-free nature. Growing best in full sun, coneflowers tolerate drought well (although should be watered weekly during their first growing season) and can reach heights of up to 5 feet.

When Do Purple Coneflowers Bloom?

purple coneflower, list of perennials to cut back in spring — A bee visiting a purple coneflower.

A long blooming season ensures flowers remain from early summer through mid-fall. Coneflowers are low-maintenance and a great choice for everyone from first-time gardeners through experts. To keep their blooms going, it’s best to remove spent blooms during the summer months.

Benefits of Growing Purple Coneflower

purple coneflower and goldfinch — American goldfinch feeds on a purple coneflower

Continuous purple blooms, minimal maintenance, and drought resistance make purple coneflower a true backyard rockstar. It brings in birds, bees and butterflies. On the other hand, deer typically leave it alone.

While deadheading is a great option during the summer, it’s best to let spent blooms remain in fall so birds can snack on the seeds.

Many species of butterflies visit purple coneflower during the summer, including monarchs, swallowtails, and painted ladies.

Purple Coneflower Diseases and Pests

japanese beetle control — Japanese beetles on a coneflower

While purple coneflower is known for its unfussy nature and ease of growing, gardeners should look out for a few possible issues. They can be susceptible to aster yellows, as well as powdery mildew: two common garden problems.

Deer generally avoid established coneflower plants, but fresh plantings might be browsed upon, and rabbits especially seem to enjoy them. Japanese beetles can also irritate gardeners growing purple coneflower.

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Sources

North Carolina State Extension, “Echinacea purpurea“

Author

Kaitlin Stainbrook

Kaitlin Stainbrook has been writing about birding and gardening for nearly a decade. While the associate editor of Birds & Blooms magazine, she dove deep into all aspects of birding and gardening and worked closely with experts in the field. She continues to learn all she can about birding and gardening, and is always looking for houseplants he...

Reviewer

Melinda Myers

Melinda Myers is a nationally known, award-winning garden expert, speaker, TV/radio host and author of more than 20 books. She is the instructor for The Great Courses How to Grow Anything DVD and Instant Video series and host of the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moments TV and Radio segments. With a master’s degree in horticulture and ...

Fact Checker

Kirsten Schrader

Now Birds & Blooms' content director, Kirsten has been writing about birding and gardening for 17 years. Her writing and editing roles have spanned the print and digital landscape. Although she has traveled to see amazing birds throughout the U.S., Kirsten has one dream bucket list bird—the male painted bunting.