Echinacea Seeds

Why echinacea is the gardener's favorite flower

Echinacea purpurea is a North American perennial species of plant in the sunflower family. It is native to North America and is present in the wild in much of the eastern, southeastern, and the midwestern United States, in addition to Canadian provinces. Echinacea, often known as purple coneflower, has become a favorite addition to many a home gardener's yard, yet it originated as a wildflower in prairies and open forested regions. Echinacea produces beautiful, long-lasting purple and pink blooms with hairy disked centers on tall stalks that can reach up to five feet in height. The leaves are usually fuzzy and rough-textured, but they can also be hairless. The leaves will often shrink in size as they progress up the stem. They're easy to notice from afar, and once you've identified them, you'll probably see them everywhere.

Therapeutic Benefits of Echinacea

Echinacea blooms are occasionally utilized as a therapeutic herb in addition to being beautiful. Echinacea's medical benefits date back to the 18th century and are widely used by North American indigenous peoples as folk medicine. Echinacea tea, which is said to help boost the immune system and fight colds, is still a popular beverage. Every health food store has a substantial inventory of products containing this special "ingredient." The echinacea plant, like many other plants, contains phenols. These organic compounds help defend the plant from diseases and may also have antioxidant capabilities.

The best time to start echinacea seeds

The ideal time to plant echinacea seeds is in the late fall, after the frost. Alternatively, you can start the seeds indoors about six to eight weeks before your final frost date (after a period of eight to twelve weeks of cold stratification). Echinacea will perform best when exposed to full sun and planted in well-drained soil. If your soil is too rich, flowering may begin to diminish. Manual watering will not be necessary in areas that receive normal rainfall. Once the echinacea blooms begin to look spent, cut the plant down by a third of its height. This will help to reenergize the plant and keep it beautiful.

For more information about planting, growing, and caring for echinacea seeds, see the Echinacea Seeds Planting Guide.