How to Grow Echinacea

Choose a spot in the garden that receives full sun to part shade and prepare the planting area well by digging in  Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser.

Sow  Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) seeds in the prepared bed or in trays of  Yates Seed Raising Mix. Cover, firm down and water well.

Water gently and keep moist through germination period. Take care not to over saturate the soil at this stage.

Once the seedlings are at least 5cm, mulch with organic mulch, such as bark chips, sugar cane or pea straw. If growing in seed trays, transplant the seeds into the prepared garden bed and cover with mulch.

Feed every 1 to 2 weeks with  Yates Thrive Roses and Flowers Liquid Plant Food.

Choose a pot at least 200mm wide and deep. Position in full sun to light shade.

Fill the chosen pots with quality potting mix, such as  Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter.

Sow  Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) seeds directly into the pot and cover lightly with Yates Seed Raising Mix.

Water gently and keep moist through germination period.

Feed every 1 to 2 weeks with  Yates Thrive Roses and Flowers Liquid Plant Food.

• Other varieties such as E. augustifolia require stratification prior to sowing. This process can also be performed for the E. purpurea, however it is not necessary to enable germination to occur.

• If you do wish to stratify the seeds, place the seeds into a mix of moist vermiculite and seal in a sandwich bag or plastic bag and place in the fridge. Leave for 2-3 weeks, then sow as directed.
  
  
• Water at the base of the plant to limit exposure and risk of fungal diseases.
  
  
• Great for dry gardens, as they can tolerate dry periods once established.
  
  
• To make Echinacea tea, add 1 teaspoon of finely cut leaves to 1 cup of boiling water. Let stand for 5 minutes, strain and cool. Do not ingest the tea when pregnant or breast feeding.