Echinacea purpurea

A Prairie Classic with an Herbal Legacy

One of North America’s most recognizable native medicinal plants. Echinacea purpurea, commonly known as Purple Coneflower, produces striking purple-pink blooms with distinctive cone-shaped centers. Exceptionally hardy and beautiful, its perennial growth, pollinator appeal, and remarkable ethnobotanical history make it a standout for apothecary gardens and living botanical collections.

Growing Tips

• Very hardy perennial

• Drought tolerant once established

• Prefers full sun

• Attractive to bees and butterflies

• Grows best in well-draining soil

Planting Tips

• Cold stratification can improve germination

• Direct sow or start indoors

• Keep soil lightly moist while establishing

• Space mature plants approximately 18 inches apart

Interesting Facts

• Echinacea has a long history of traditional use among several Indigenous peoples of North America.

• Historically, various Echinacea species were prepared for a range of purposes, including wounds, bites, stings, toothaches, and sore throats.

• In later Western herbal traditions, Echinacea became associated with immune support and preparations used during colds and respiratory illnesses.

• It has also been traditionally incorporated into herbal tonics and preparations intended to address inflammation.

• The name Echinacea comes from the Greek echinos, meaning “hedgehog,” a reference to its distinctive spiny central cone.

For cultivation. Historical and traditional-use information is provided for botanical and educational purposes only and is not medical advice.