Can You Grow Coneflowers From Seed In The Fall Or Is It Too Late?

Herbaceous perennial coneflowers (Echinacea spp.) serve many purposes in the garden, filling the landscape with daisy-like blooms. Growing them is a great way to attract pollinators and birds; they add a rich tapestry of color to your garden beds, and they're easy for beginner gardeners as a starter flower. Once you understand the benefits for the garden, it's more than reasonable to want them in the mix as soon as possible. But if you want to grow coneflowers from seed, can you start them in the fall? Yes — it's not too late to start coneflowers, and some gardeners even prefer fall.

With most species hardy in USDA Zones 3 through 9, coneflowers require a period spent in a cold, moist environment, also known as seed stratification. Their seeds have a tough outer shell, and stratification softens it, which is required before they can grow. If you were to sow seeds in the garden in the spring, you would need to moist-stratify them first to help them germinate; planting them in the fall skips that process. You also won't have to worry about timing, as the seeds will sprout when conditions are right. Your seeds will endure the winter, breaking dormancy as the soil warms. While planting your coneflower seeds, however, do note that coneflowers started from seed need two years to reach full development. Therefore, you won't have brilliant blooms right away while they build a root system and grow foliage.

If you want to grow your coneflowers from seed in the fall, the best planting conditions for sowing into the ground are after the first frost in the northern areas or when the weather is consistently cold. This way, the seeds can naturally undergo cold stratification. Pick an area in your garden with good, well-draining soil where they won't be disturbed, allowing the seeds to settle in for winter. Prepare the soil for your seeds by turning it over and removing any weeds, then press them into the ground. Space the seeds 12 to 18 inches apart, if able, to give them good room to grow. Avoid covering the seeds, as they need ample light exposure. You can then water the soil lightly so it's moist, and that's all it takes to set the stage for beautiful coneflowers.

You won't need to tend to your seeds through winter; instead, you can simply let Mother Nature take over. There's no need to fertilize either, but consider marking where you plant the seeds to keep them safe as you work in your garden in the spring. Once the plants are well-established in their second year, they'll be ready to produce blooms. You could see flowers grow up to four feet high, depending on their species. Planting in fall may require waiting a bit longer, but the payoff is a hardy, dependable coneflower display that becomes a lasting highlight of your garden.