Coneflowers are a group of perennials native to North America and are members of the Asteraceae family. They are known for their large, daisy-like flowers with prominent, cone-shaped centers. Coneflowers are easy to grow and come in a variety of colors, including pink, purple, white, yellow, and orange. They are drought tolerant and thrive in full sun, making them a great choice for gardens in warm climates. They attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators, making them a great addition to any garden.
Planning Your Garden With Coneflowers
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
Life Cycle | Coneflowers are perennial. |
USDA Zone | Coneflowers are hardy in USDA Zones 3-9. |
Cold Tolerance | Coneflowers are generally hardy in USDA zones 3-9 and can tolerate temperatures as low as 25. |
Days to harvest | Coneflowers typically take around 70-90 days to reach maturity and be ready for harvest. |
Average size | The average size of a full grown coneflower plant is between 2 and 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide. |
Spacing requirements | Coneflowers prefer full sun and well-draining soil and should be planted in groups of three or more, spaced 12-15 inches apart. |
Sun tolerance | Coneflowers are quite tolerant of full sun, although they can also tolerate some light shade. |
Shade tolerance | Coneflowers are tolerant of both full sun and partial shade. They will grow best in full sun, but will tolerate some partial shade. |
Water requirements | Coneflowers need moist, well-draining soil and should be watered regularly, about 1-2 inches per week. During hot, dry weather, they may need to be watered more frequently. It is important to avoid over-watering, as this can cause root rot and other diseases. |
Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer you should use when growing coneflowers depends on the type of fertilizer you are using and the soil conditions. Generally, a balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 is recommended. Apply the fertilizer at a rate of 1 to 2 pounds per 100 square feet of garden area. |
Soil pH | Coneflowers prefer a slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. |
Why Coneflowers are Popular
People like to grow coneflowers because they are attractive, easy to care for, and they attract pollinators to the garden. They are also drought-tolerant and can tolerate a wide range of soil types. Additionally, they are long-blooming and come in a variety of colors and sizes.
Companion Plants For Coneflowers
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for coneflowers include:
Common Pests For Coneflowers
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow coneflowers, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- leaf miners
- japanese beetles
- slugs
- aphids
- spider mites
- beetles
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.