Echinacea

Basic Information

Seed Number

29

Seed Name

Echinacea

Variety

Paradox

Category

Medicinal

Plant Family

Asteraceae

Plant Type

Yellow coneflower (Echinacea paradoxa)

Planting Method

Direct Sow or Transplant

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Mar 1

Last Recommended Planting Date

Nov 30

Plantable Months

March, April, May, June, October, November

Indoor Start

Mar 1 – Mar 15

Direct Sow

May 15 – Jun 15

Transplant

May 5 – Jun 15

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

Not recorded

Transplant Weeks After Frost

0 weeks

Germination Days

10–15 days

Harvest/Maturity

Not recorded

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

65-70°F

Planting Depth

1/8 in

Plant Spacing

18-24 in

Row Spacing

24-36 in

Thin-To Spacing

18-24 in

Sun Requirements

Full sun to partial shade

Water Needs

Keep evenly moist while establishing; established plants tolerate moderately dry conditions

Soil Preference

Average, well-drained soil; performs well in medium to dry conditions

Minimum Container Size

3-5 gal

Plant Height

About 36 in

Perennial/Biennial Status

Perennial

Container Friendly

Yes

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

Yes

Heat Tolerant

Yes

Drought Tolerant

Yes

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

Yes

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

MSU Extension; Detroit frost dates; Almanac Detroit

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Start indoors or direct sow; many benefit from cold stratification
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: Apr 15 – Jun 15; Sep 1 – Oct 15 for fall sowing
Germination Time: 10–30+ days
Days to Harvest / Bloom: Blooms/harvest often year 2
Container Friendly: Yes for many; deep-rooted types prefer ground
Succession / Reusable Notes: Great for permanent herb/medicinal beds.
Zone 6B Notes: Many medicinal perennials need patience and may not bloom first year.
Companion Plants: Yarrow, echinacea, calendula, lavender, sage, thyme, oregano, clover, native flowers
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Crowded/overly wet beds
Sources: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar | Detroit frost dates: https://www.ufseeds.com/vegetable-planting-calendar-detroit-michigan.html | Almanac Detroit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/MI/Detroit

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Hardy in Zone 6B. Spring sow once soil reaches about 65°F or fall sow in October-November for natural cold exposure. Established plants overwinter outdoors.
Germination: Shallow sowing is important. Fall sowing exposes seed to natural temperature fluctuations that can improve germination.
Harvest: For cut flowers, harvest when petals are expanding and the central cone is well developed.
Seed Saving: Allow cones to mature and dry before collecting seed. Echinacea species can cross when grown close together, so isolation is required for genetically pure seed.
Special Care: The horticultural name supplied as 'Paradox' is treated here as Echinacea paradoxa, the yellow-flowered coneflower species.
Research Source: Prairie Moon Nursery — https://www.prairiemoon.com/echinacea-paradoxa-bushs-coneflower — Echinacea paradoxa identity, yellow flowers, 3-foot height, sun and soil preferences
Research Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds — https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/flowers/echinacea/echinacea-key-growing-information.html — 10-15 day germination, 65-70°F, sowing depth, spacing, spring and fall sowing, sun and soil
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]