Coneflowers, also known as Echinacea, are very popular North American wildflowers. They are known for their vibrant-coloured blooms. Most importantly, these plants are easy to grow and require minimal care.
Echinaceas appear in wide shade ranges such as pink, yellow, orange, and red. There are multiple types of coneflowers, each with different shades and forms. This article covers how to grow and care for coneflowers effortlessly.
How to grow coneflowers from seeds?
- Prepare the soil: Coneflowers need well-draining soil enriched, with organic matter. This flowering plant thrives in loamy or sandy soil with a pH range of 6.0-7.0. Correct soil preparation is vital to ensure the proper growth of coneflowers.
- Sowing seeds: April to September is the ideal time to grow coneflowers. You can directly sow the seeds into the soil. If you are growing this plant in a container, use a pot with drainage holes.
- Watering: Moderately water the seeds to maintain consistent moisture. Do not overwater as it can cause root rot.
- Germination: These seeds usually germinate within 10-20 days. Also, maintain a warm temperature of 21 degrees Celcius for optimal growth.
- Mulching: Apply a coat of mulch around the seedlings to retain moisture and repress weeds.
How to care for coneflowers?
- Water: After planting coneflowers, they require minimal watering. Water these plants once a week during the dry season. Also, maintain consistent moist soil.
- Light: Place your coneflower in an area where it can get six to eight hours of sunlight daily.
- Fertilization: These flowering plants do not require too much fertilizer. Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring for better growth of the plant.
- Pest control: The common garden pests are mealybugs and aphids. If you notice any infestation, use neem oil or insecticidal soap to treat them.
- Propagate: You can easily propagate this plant by taking root cuttings or diving mature plants. This can help the new plant to have the same characteristics as the parent plants.
Growing and caring for coneflowers is not a difficult task, because they are low-maintenance and drought-tolerant.