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How to Plant & Grow
Echinacea
Echinacea, also known as Coneflowers, are gorgeous summer-flowering perennials that will fill the garden with sensational colour. Perennials reappear year after year, and Echinacea is no different.
If you’re in need of an in-depth guide to growing Echinacea, then you’re in the right place.
What We’ve Included
What to Plant | When to Plant | How to Plant | Where to Plant | After Care | Common Issues | When will they flower? | Inspiration
When to Plant
Loose root Coneflowers are best planted in spring or summer when the soil is warm (May-June). Modules and potted echinacea plants can be planted from mid-March to June or from mid-September to November.
They need that warmth to encourage new root growth, so these seasons are best for them to thrive. Planting in autumn will cause them to rot in winter, especially in inappropriate soils that hold too much water.
How to Plant
Planting Modules & Pots
Our modules and pots are incredibly easy to grow and maintain. Whether you’re growing them directly outside into the border or in a container or keeping them indoors over winter, our modules are a breeze to care for from the moment they arrive.
- Dig a hole in the border that’s big enough to house the entire module. If planting in pots, fill a large pot halfway with potting soil and then make several holes that can hold the modules. Do this until the top of the soil from the module is just below the top of the pot.
- Fill around the modules with soil and firm them down gently.
- Water well and you’re done!
Planting Loose Roots
Loose roots to beginners might sound intimidating but are in fact, incredibly easy to plant!
- Soak roots in a bucket of water for 1-2 hours before planting.
- Dig a hole in the border that’s big enough to house the root system. If planting in pots, fill a large pot halfway with potting soil and then pop the roots in with the crown pointing upwards and the root system pointing to the floor.
- Plant in groups for a fuller display, usually in groups of 3, somewhere that gets plenty of sunlight.
- Ensure the crown is just below the soil unless the plant has some leaves, in which case leave them exposed with the rest of the root system under the soil.
- Water well once planted.
Where to Plant
Plant echinacea in well-drained soil and somewhere sunny. These plants are attractive to pollinators, so plant them somewhere they can be easily accessed, like in a border or container.
After Care
When to water
Water well once planted, and often for their first year. Once they’re established, water only when necessary - especially when there’s a long-lasting heat. If grown in containers, make sure they’re watered more regularly as their soil will drain faster.
Deadheading
If you want to see your echinacea duplicate, leave the seed heads in autumn. They will also feed birds. Deadheading during their growing season will help keep your display looking gorgeous and tidy. Snipping off spent flowers can encourage new growth.
Common Issues and How to Solve Them
Take precautions against slugs and snails as they might take a particular interest. Sprinkle grit, broken shells or something sharp to the base of the plant to stop them from reaching the leaves and blooms.
If you find a powdery white residue on the underside of the leaves, then you may have found powdery mildew. This can happen to a plant that’s grown in less-than-ideal conditions. Cut back affected plants or leaves and dispose of them so they can’t infect any other plants. You can also add mulch to stop the remaining spores from reaching the plants come spring.
When will they Flower?
You should expect echinacea to flower throughout summer. Many varieties have a long flowering period, providing plenty of colour for longer. This is often from June to September, but this may depend on the variety.
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