Learning how to grow echinacea from seed is a great way to save money in the garden and grow interesting varieties that are hard to find. Keep reading to learn how you can grow echinacea plants from seed.
Reasons to grow echinacea (AKA Coneflowers)
Echinacea is used to make medicinal teas, tinctures, and many other things. It is claimed that this plant can help regulate your immune system among other medicinal properties.
This plant is also a great option to grow in the garden because it attracts many beneficial insects and the flowers look amazing.
Echinacea plants are also a hardy perennial that can survive winter conditions all the way down to zone 4.
Some echinacea varieties (like echinacea purpurea) are native to North America. There really are so many reasons to grow this plant.
Where to get Echinacea seeds
Before you buy echinacea seeds you need to figure out which USDA zone you live in. When you buy seeds make sure the plants are hardy to your zone.
By growing echinacea from seed you can grow some very unusual varieties. The ones that you see in this post are the paradiso variety from Rare Seeds and you can find seeds here.
There are many different species of echinacea with colors ranging from purple, white, and yellow. Shop around and pick your favorite species of coneflowers to grow in your garden.
Buying a simple packet of coneflower seeds to grow your plants from is more affordable than buying mature plants from a nursery.
When to plant Echinacea seeds
Echinacea seeds need to be cold stratified (more on this later) so you need to have your seeds by February. Echinacea will require 4 weeks of cold stratification to germinate properly so make sure to order these seeds before winter ends.
You could also buy echinacea seeds in early fall and plant them in late fall! Nature will natural cold stratify the seeds!
What is cold stratification
Echinacea seeds have a hard seed coat on them that needs to be softened before they can germinate. This normally happens through the freezing and thawing process before spring arrives.
This constant freeze and thaw cycle along with the moist conditions will soften the seed coat making it easier for water to penetrate. To get your Echinacea seeds to germinate you will have to replicate this natural process at home.
How to cold stratify Echinacea seeds
Cold stratifying seeds sounds a lot more daunting than it actually is and most home gardeners already have the supplies needed for it. There are many different ways you can do this.
- Winter sowing: Simple cut a plastic jug in half, fill with moist seed starting mix, sow seeds, seal the jug, and throw it in the snow during the late winter. In the early spring this jug will act as a greenhouse allowing the seeds to sprout. You can read a full article about winter sowing here.
- Refrigerator method: Just plant your seeds in some moist seed starting mix, cover with plastic wrap, and stick in the back of the fridge. After the required period of time has passed, pull out the seed mix and grow it alongside all your other starts.
- Fall planting: In the late fall direct sow your seeds in the soil where you want them to grow. The winter weather will naturally break down the seed coat and you will have echinacea plants in spring.
How long does cold stratification take
Echinacea seeds need anywhere from 1-2 months of cold stratification to properly germinate. This stratification will take place when the daytime temperatures are above freezing and the night time temperatures are just below freezing.
I stratify my echinacea seeds for the full two months and I have never had trouble with them germinating. You can skip the stratification process ,but your germination rates will be lower.
How to care for Echinacea seedlings
After your seeds have been stratified you will be waiting for those first seedlings. It can take weeks before you see any seedlings, so patience is key.
I thought that my seeds were all dead but I kept the soil moist and hoped they would eventually pop up. Sure enough, after a few weeks of waiting I saw little green leaves emerge from the soil.
Once your seedlings do pop up they may need a little boost. I like to mix up some fish emulsions as a gentle fertilizer. This gets them off to a good start.
Once your last frost date has passed you can transplant the young plants into the garden. Make sure not to disturb the roots too much as their root systems are sensitive.
I like to mulch around my echinacea plants for multiple reasons. This will really help your plants to get off on the right foot.
If the soil gets too dry make sure to water your echinacea seedlings. They should not need to be watered after their first year of growing.
Where to plant echinacea
Echinacea naturally grows in American prairies which are sunny and sometimes dry. Going off this information it is best to plant echinacea in the sunniest part of your yard.
It is okay to plant your echinacea in partial shade, but your plants will not tolerate full shade. If your plants do not get enough sunlight they might not flower!
Echinacea also doesn't enjoy wet areas so make sure you plant it in well-drained soil. Your soil does not have to be very rich to grow echinacea plants in. Poor soil is okay to plant echinacea in although adding compost will help your plants grow bigger and better.
How long from seed to echinacea flowers
Echinacea plants will not bloom in their first year because the plants are focusing their energy on root growth not flower growth. The first year you may not even see too much foliage and that is okay.
On the second year of growth is when you will see the first flowers. Make sure your echinacea plants are in full sun to encourage flowering.
These plants will bloom from early summer through late summer! The beautiful flowers attract many beneficial insects making this plant great for pollinator gardens.
If you want the plants to continue flowering you can pick off the dead flowers. This will encourage your plant to continue flowering.
Pests and diseases that affect echinacea
While echinacea plants are very carefree they can occasionally have a few diseases and pests that like to harm them. Here is how you can combat these diseases and pests.
Powdery mildew
Powdery mildew is a type of fungus that grows on plants. This fungus creates a white film all over the plant shading out sunlight.
Without the sunlight the plants will eventually die. The good news is that this is very treatable with natural methods.
Simply mix up a solution of 60% milk and 40% water. Drench your affected plants with this mixture and repeat if the powdery mildew reappears.
Japanese beetles
Japanese beetles love to chew holes in plants leaves. These insects are invasive and can really destroy your plants if not taken care of.
The best way to get rid of Japanese beetles is to hand pick them off your plants. After you pick them off drop them in a bucket of soapy water. The soap will kill the beetles.
Preparing the plants for fall
Like other perennial plants echinacea thrives when you prepare the plants for fall. Here are some things you should do to your plants in the fall to keep them growing well.
- Sprinkle compost on the plants in mid fall to keep the plants and surrounding soil healthy.
- Once you have had a hard freeze and the plant is starting to die back cover it in leaves to protect the plants roots over winter.
- If you have a deer or squirrel problem cover the plant with a wire cage to keep them from eating it.
Echinacea care after the first year
Once your echinacea plants are established they really do not require much care. In the spring uncover the plants so they can sprout easily and enjoy all those hard earned echinacea flowers.
If you leaves the flowers on the plant they will make seed heads! You can collect these seeds to grow more echinacea plants or you can let the plant naturally sow these seeds! Either way your echinacea plant will continue to multiply.
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