Echinacea

Basic Information

Seed Number

30

Seed Name

Echinacea

Variety

Purple & White mix

Category

Medicinal

Plant Family

Asteraceae

Plant Type

Coneflower mix (primarily Echinacea purpurea types)

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

10 weeks

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 moderate dry periods

Soil Preference

Average, well-drained soil

Minimum Container Size

3-5 gal

Plant Height

24-48 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: Perennial in Zone 6B. Start indoors 8-10 weeks before outdoor planting, spring sow after soil warms, or fall sow for natural cold exposure.
Germination: Sow shallowly at approximately 65-70°F. Fall sowing can expose seeds to natural temperature fluctuations that stimulate germination.
Harvest: Harvest flowers when petals are expanding for cut use. Medicinal harvest depends on the plant part and intended herbal preparation.
Seed Saving: Purple and white plants may cross with each other and with nearby Echinacea. Saved seed may not preserve the original color proportions of the commercial mix.
Special Care: The packet name does not identify the exact white cultivar or whether every component is the same species, so species-specific traits beyond standard Echinacea purpurea-type culture are not assigned.
Research Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds — https://www.johnnyseeds.com/herbs/echinacea-coneflower/echinacea-purpurea-echinacea-seed-842.html — Echinacea purpurea germination, indoor start, transplanting and medicinal classification
Research Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds — https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/flowers/echinacea/echinacea-key-growing-information.html — direct sowing, soil temperature, sowing depth, spacing, hardiness, light and soil requirements
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]