Echinacea

Basic Information

Seed Number

31

Seed Name

Echinacea

Variety

Purple

Category

Medicinal

Plant Family

Asteraceae

Plant Type

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

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 during establishment; established plants tolerate 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: Fully perennial in Zone 6B. Spring sow when soil has warmed or fall sow in October-November. Indoor starts can be transplanted in late spring.
Germination: Sow 1/8 inch deep at approximately 65-70°F. Fall sowing may improve germination through natural cold exposure.
Harvest: For cut flowers, harvest once petals begin expanding. For herbal use, plant part and harvest timing depend on the intended preparation.
Seed Saving: Allow cones to fully dry before collecting seed. Isolate from other Echinacea if maintaining genetically pure seed.
Special Care: Long-lived plants generally need division only when clumps become crowded.
Research Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds — https://www.johnnyseeds.com/herbs/echinacea-coneflower/echinacea-purpurea-organic-echinacea-seed-956.html — species identity, germination, indoor sowing and transplanting
Research Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds — https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/flowers/echinacea/echinacea-key-growing-information.html — direct sowing, temperature, depth, spacing, soil, sun and hardiness
Research Source: Prairie Moon Nursery — https://www.prairiemoon.com/echinacea-purpurea-purple-coneflower — drought tolerance, perennial habit and medicinal history
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]