Perennial
Purple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea
Prairie icon. Butterflies in summer, goldfinches on the seed heads in winter.
- Pollinator
- Native
- Deer-resistant
Quick facts
- Hardiness
- USDA zones 3–8
- Water
- Low once established
- Sun
- Full sun to Part sun
- Size
- 2–4 ft tall × 18–24 in. wide
- Bloom & interest
- Rosy-purple daisies with coppery cones, early summer to early fall
- Plant type
- Perennial
- Native range
- Native to the central and eastern US (prairies and open woods, west to Oklahoma and eastern Texas)
Why we recommend it
An iconic native prairie perennial with long-lasting daisy blooms that feed butterflies and bees, then seed heads that feed goldfinches, all on modest water.
Best regions: Front RangeTexasGreat BasinHigh Desert
How to grow it
Watering to establish
Water weekly the first summer; after that, a deep soak every 2–3 weeks in hot, dry weather keeps it blooming.
Pruning
Deadhead early blooms for more flowers, but leave the last seed heads standing for birds and winter interest.
Soil
Average, well-drained soil; tolerates clay if it does not stay soggy.
Pairs well with
Read more
Where to buy
Shop Purple Coneflower from trusted growers. For the best selection of xeric plants, try a mail-order specialist or ask a local independent nursery.
- High Country Gardens (opens in a new tab)Xeric specialist
- Nature Hills Nursery (opens in a new tab)Wide selection
- American Meadows (opens in a new tab)Perennials & seeds
- Etsy (opens in a new tab)Small growers
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