Echinacea grows well in Zones 3 – 10 in deep, loose, loamy soil that drains well with plenty of organic matter and/or compost. It prefers full sun, though it can tolerate partial shade. So, when planning where to plant it, choose your plot accordingly.
Seeds can either be sown in the spring when soil temperatures are above 55 degrees Fahrenheit (if the seeds have already been through the stratification process) or, if collected from a friend or neighbors garden, they can be sown in the fall or winter (this way Mother Nature will complete the stratification process for you)!
Spread your seeds sparingly on the surface of the soil and keep moist (if you do not get much rain, gently spray or mist your seeds) until germination takes place. Once germination has occurred (after 10-20 days) gently cover sprouts with 1/8 inch of soil. Then, when sprouts are ~3 inches tall, thin them to 18-24 inches apart in all directions and mulch around them to control weed growth. I know that seems like a lot of space, but Echinacea grows in clumps and will fill in nicely on it’s own.
The first and most important thing to remember about Echinacea is that it may not bloom during the first year or two after sowing, depending on the variety you are growing. Don’t worry, though, as long as you have foliage, your Echinacea is doing well. Just be patient…trust me, your patience will pay off!
Keep in mind that Echinacea is fairly drought tolerant once established, though you will need to water your plants throughout the summer if you receive less than an inch of rain each week. Also, Echinacea does not like competition, so make sure to weed your bed while your plants are establishing themselves. Mulching your bed will help keep the weeds down, too.
Once your Echinacea is blooming, remember that cutting fading or dead flowers will prolong the blooming season! They make a beautiful addition to your summer table
Echinacea, also known as coneflower, is a beautiful perennial that produces showy flowers in shades of purple, pink, white, and yellow. As a hardy wildflower native to North America, echinacea is a great addition to any garden. An added bonus is that saving seeds from echinacea is easy for the home gardener to do. With proper harvesting and storage methods, you can collect enough seeds to grow coneflowers for years to come.
When to Harvest Echinacea Seeds
Timing is the key to successfully saving echinacea seeds. You want to gather the seeds once they are fully mature and dry on the plant. This typically occurs 4-6 weeks after the flowers have finished blooming.
Signs that echinacea seeds are ready for harvesting:
- Flower petals have all dried up and fallen off
- Seed head has turned completely brown and dry
- Seeds feel hard and plump when gently rubbed between fingers
- Seed stalks and stems are dried and stiff
- Seeds come away easily when brushed
Harvest echinacea seeds on a dry sunny day if possible. Damp seeds have a higher chance of molding during storage. Check seed heads daily as they near maturity since seeds mature at different rates. You may need to collect seeds in multiple stages.
How to Collect Echinacea Seeds
Follow these simple steps for gathering echinacea seeds from seed heads
1. Cut Off Entire Mature Seed Heads
Use hand pruners or scissors to snip through the stem about 6 inches below the seed head Carefully place each intact seed head into a paper bag or open container Avoid pulling or twisting seed heads, which can scatter seeds.
2. Break Open Seed Heads
One by one, crush or rub each dried seed head between your fingers or over a piece of paper. This loosens the seeds from the chaff and debris. Discard the dry flower parts and keep the seeds.
3. Spread Out Seeds to Dry
Pour seeds in a single layer onto a screen or parchment paper. Allow seeds to dry for 1-2 more weeks in a well-ventilated indoor spot out of direct sunlight. Gently stir or turn them periodically so they dry evenly.
4. Store Echinacea Seeds
Place thoroughly dry seeds in paper envelopes or resealable plastic bags labeled with plant name and harvest date. Put the seed packets in an airtight glass jar or plastic container kept in the refrigerator or freezer. Properly stored, echinacea seeds will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Tips for Strong Echinacea Plants
Follow these tips to help ensure the homegrown echinacea plants from your saved seeds will be healthy and vigorous:
-
Isolate different coneflower varieties by at least 20 feet or cage plants when flowering to prevent cross-pollination.
-
Leave some seed heads untouched in the garden for food sources for birds.
-
Wash hands and sanitize tools between plants to prevent transferring diseases.
-
Store seeds in a cool, dark place with stable temperature and humidity. Avoid temperature fluctuations.
-
Only save seeds from your best, healthiest echinacea specimens. Weak plants yield weak seeds.
How to Grow Echinacea from Seed
Echinacea seeds need light exposure to germinate successfully whether started indoors or direct sown outside.
Indoor seed starting:
-
Sow seeds shallowly in sterile seed starting mix 6-8 weeks before your last expected spring frost. Cover with plastic domes to retain moisture.
-
Place seed trays in a bright, sunny window or under grow lights on a 16 hour on/8 hour off schedule.
-
Transplant hardened off seedlings into garden beds after all danger of frost, when soil is at least 60°F.
Direct sowing outdoors:
-
Prepare seed beds in full sun with loose, weed-free soil enriched with compost.
-
Sow seeds 1⁄4 inch deep in late spring when soil reaches 60°F. Space plants 4-6 inches apart in rows 12-18 inches apart.
-
Gently water seeds. Thin out seedlings for proper spacing.
-
Protect young plants from pests until established.
Common Problems When Saving Echinacea Seeds
Issue: Seeds fail to germinate or have low germination rates
Cause: Harvesting seeds too early before fully mature or inadequate drying
Solution: Allow seeds to fully develop on plants before collecting and dry thoroughly before storage
Issue: Seeds rot or mold during storage
Cause: Storing seeds in cold, damp conditions
Solution: Make sure seeds are very dry then store in an airtight container in a cool, dry location
Issue: Plants grown from saved seeds are weak or spindly
Cause: Seeds collected from weak, diseased plants
Solution: Only save seeds from your healthiest, most robust coneflower specimens
Issue: Saved seeds produce different flower colors or growth habits
Cause: Unintended cross-pollination between different echinacea varieties
Solution: Isolate varieties by at least 20 feet or cage plants to prevent cross-pollination
Final Tips
Saving echinacea seeds is easy and rewarding! In addition to ensuring you have an ongoing supply of plants, you can also share seeds with gardening friends.
With proper timing, harvesting, drying, and storage, you can successfully preserve echinacea seeds for up to 3 years. Always select seeds from your best, healthiest plants for the greatest success growing echinacea from saved seeds. Let your coneflowers go to seed and enjoy their beauty in your garden as long as possible before collecting seeds.
Want to Save Black Eyed Susan Seeds???
Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) is a different genus of plants, but you can still save seed from it quite easily! Click below to read our how-to DIY article to save your seed WITHOUT Chaff!
NEW ==> Save Bee Balm Seeds!
Why you should save your own Echinacea/Coneflower seeds
Every gardener with a hint of do-it-yourself ethos in them should save seeds from Echinacea (Coneflower) to propagate more plants! One single Echinacea plant can yield 500 or more seeds depending on the available number of blooms in a given year.
Your only competition for harvesting the seed is the birds, particularly gold finches who love to land on the seed heads and pick out the seeds. You can then grow as many plants as you want, or your garden can handle for basically no money!
Coneflowers generally cost $5-$15 in the garden center depending on size. If you are willing to wait until the second year for flowers, then you can have as many plants as you want for very little money if you just grow them from seed!
I generally grow 10-20 plants per year and it doesn’t cost me anything. I’ve shared them with family and friends, as it is a great way to increase the number of native plants. People are very open to natives once they find out they can get them for free from me
Also, if you want to learn another way to propagate Echinacea, why not check out our guide on how to Divide Echinacea below?
How to Save Echinacea seeds: quick and easy way for how to save coneflower seeds
FAQ
Can I just scatter coneflower seeds?
-
Reddit · r/GardenWildhttps://www.reddit.comBest time to scatter coneflower seeds during the fall? Zone 5a. Wondering …Aug 5, 2023 — Purple Coneflower is also able to self-seed, so if you just leave some of them they’ll spread in that general area too. The seeds require cold strati…
-
Eco-Friendly Homesteadhttps://www.ecofriendlyhomestead.comMy Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Purple Coneflower from Seed …Nov 12, 2024 — Yes, you can scatter coneflower seeds directly onto the soil surface, but this will need to be done in the fall or early winter. This mimics their n…
Can you take seeds from Echinacea?
- Cut off seed heads when the blooms have faded and turned brown.
- Store & dry the seed heads in a paper bag.
- Knock the seeds off of the seed head using my method (described below & short video).
- Store the seeds.
How do you save Echinacea seeds?
How to save seeds from Echinacea: Cut off seed heads when the blooms have faded and turned brown. Store & dry the seed heads in a paper bag. Knock the seeds off of the seed head using my method (described below & short video). Store the seeds.
What are the benefits of soaking chia seeds?
Chia seeds are soaked to release nutrients better. The chia seed has a very tough outer shell that is difficult for humans to digest. For this reason, it is key that they soak long enough to release the nutrients inside. It usually takes about 8 hours to soak the chia seeds. During the soaking process, they will expand and release nutrients better. It is also important that you do not let them dry out or have too much water. If chia seeds sit for too long, then fermenting occurs, which can cause indigestion or even nausea if eaten in excess.
Can Echinacea seed be left in a can?
There will be mostly good, living Echinacea seed left in the can, along with a small amount of chaff. Now the seed can be left on a plate or somewhere cool and dry (not in direct sunlight) for another week or so to dry out. If you don’t want some chaff mixed in with your seed then I have another tip.
Can you save coneflower seeds from Echinacea?
It can be very exciting for home gardeners to experiment and see what comes up the following year! Saving seeds from echinacea is not difficult. To save coneflower seeds wait for the seed heads to form which resemble small cones. Then allow the seed heads to dry on the plant.
Should you harvest Echinacea seeds from hybrid plants?
While this may seem like a no-brainer, it’s actually very important. You should only harvest seeds from native echinacea plants and not hybrids. This is because the seeds from hybrids are often sterile and hence incapable of reproducing. Once you’ve identified the perfect plants, use a quality pair of scissors to remove the seed heads.
How long do Echinacea seeds last?
Store in glass jars or plastic containers in the refrigerator or freezer. Properly dried and stored, echinacea seeds remain viable for 2-3 years. Follow these tips to help ensure healthy, vigorous plants from saved echinacea seeds: Grow different varieties of coneflower at least 20 feet apart or cage plants to prevent cross-pollination.