Coneflowers are one of the highlights of the summer garden. With their cheerful, daisy-like blooms, ability to attract bees and butterflies, and wonderfully resilient nature, it's easy to see why they're such popular perennials. I love growing them in my own garden because they're so reliable – once they start flowering, they seem to bring the whole border to life and quickly become a magnet for pollinators.

Whether you're growing some of the best coneflower varieties for vibrant color or you're still learning how to grow coneflowers successfully, a few simple jobs now can make a noticeable difference later in the season.

As temperatures increase and plants blossom, small tasks like watering deeply and deadheading early blooms can help keep coneflowers thriving. Spend a little time on them in June, and they'll reward you with a long-lasting display and a garden that's buzzing with bees, butterflies, and other welcome visitors.

1. Water Well During Dry Spells

Coneflowers (Echinacea) are famously drought-tolerant once they're established, which is one of the reasons I enjoy growing them so much. That said, newly planted coneflowers still need regular watering while they're settling in and developing strong root systems.

Rather than reaching for the watering can every day, it's better to give plants a deep, thorough soak whenever the top inch of soil feels dry. This encourages roots to grow deeper into the ground, helping plants become more resilient as summer progresses.

However, if you grow coneflowers in pots, you'll need to keep a closer eye on them. Containers dry out much more quickly than garden beds, especially during hot weather, so potted plants often need watering more frequently.

2. Feed Sparingly

One of the biggest mistakes I see gardeners make with coneflowers is overfeeding them. These North American prairie natives are naturally adapted to relatively lean soils, so they don't need much fertilizer to thrive.

If you're wondering how to fertilize coneflowers, my advice is to keep it simple. In my own garden, I usually leave established plants alone and only add a light layer of compost around the base in June if the soil seems particularly poor. More often than not, that's all they need to put on a beautiful display.

If your plants are struggling or you're gardening in sandy or nutrient-deficient soil, a light application of a water-soluble fertilizer can give them a gentle boost. Miracle-Gro Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food or Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Bloom Booster Flower Food Fertilizer both available from Amazon, are popular options among US gardeners and can be used sparingly to support healthy growth and flowering.

Just be careful not to overdo it. High-nitrogen fertilizers tend to produce lots of lush foliage but fewer flowers, and with coneflowers, it's those long-lasting blooms that make them such a summer favorite.

3. Keep an Eye on Newly Emerging Buds

By June, many coneflowers are beginning to set flower buds, and I always make a point of checking in on them around this time. Healthy buds now usually mean a long season of blooms ahead, so it's worth taking a few minutes every week to inspect your plants.

Keep an eye out for signs of stress, such as yellowing leaves, spotted foliage, or distorted new growth. Catching problems early is always easier than dealing with them later. Good airflow is important, too. Removing any damaged leaves and making sure plants aren't overcrowded can help reduce the risk of fungal problems as summer progresses.

If you spot early signs of disease or pest damage, a product like Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil from Amazon can be a useful addition to your gardening toolkit and can help keep your coneflowers looking healthy and vigorous when used according to the label instructions.

4. Deadhead Early Flowers to Encourage More Blooms

Some coneflower varieties begin blooming in early summer, and once the first flowers start to fade, it's time to deadhead coneflowers to keep the display going. Removing spent blooms encourages the plant to put its energy into producing more flowers rather than setting seed, often extending the flowering season well into late summer.

Using a clean, sharp pair of secateurs, cut the stem back to the next set of leaves or a developing flower bud. I find the Fiskars Pruning Scissors for Flower Stems from Amazon are ideal for this job because they're lightweight and make precise cuts without damaging nearby growth. If you prefer a more traditional pair of pruners, the Viagrow Non-Slip Comfort Grip Pruning Shears from The Home Depot are another excellent option.

Regular deadheading also keeps plants looking neat and tidy throughout the season. That said, I always leave a few seed heads in place later in the year. Goldfinches absolutely love them, and the dried seed heads bring lovely texture and structure to the garden well into fall.

5. Mulch Carefully

A thin layer of mulch in June can make a big difference, especially if you're heading into a stretch of hot, dry weather. Mulching helps the soil retain moisture and suppresses weeds, so your coneflowers face less competition for water and nutrients. I like to spread a light layer of compost or leaf mold around the base of my plants at this time of year, as it helps keep moisture levels more consistent and gives the soil a gentle boost.

The trick is not to overdo it. Keep mulch a few inches away from the stems and avoid piling it on too thickly, as coneflowers dislike sitting in damp conditions. A product like Miracle-Gro Organic All Natural Mulch from The Home Depot can work well for this job, provided you apply it sparingly. A light, airy layer is all coneflowers need to stay happy through the heat of summer.

6. Support Taller Varieties if Necessary

Most coneflowers are perfectly capable of supporting themselves, but taller varieties can sometimes become a little top-heavy, particularly in windy gardens or rich soil. I've learned that it's much easier to add supports in June, before the flowers fully develop, than to try and rescue flopping stems later in the season.

Natural twig supports blend beautifully into the border, but slim stakes work just as well. I like to position them behind the foliage so they're barely noticeable once the plants fill out. Garden Plant Support Stakes from Amazon are a practical option, especially if you're growing taller cultivars and want to keep everything looking neat and upright through summer.

Shop Coneflower Care for June

Coneflowers are wonderfully low-maintenance perennials, but a little attention in June can make a noticeable difference later in the season. Water deeply during dry spells, go easy on the fertilizer, deadhead early flowers, and keep plants lightly mulched to help them cope with the summer heat.

It's also worth staying on top of weeds. Weeds compete with coneflowers for water and nutrients, and removing them regularly will help your plants thrive. I find tools like Grampa’s Weeder Tool from Amazon make the job much easier, especially when tackling deep-rooted weeds without disturbing nearby plants.

Spend a few minutes on these simple tasks now, and your coneflowers should reward you with months of colorful blooms and a garden that's buzzing with bees, butterflies, and other welcome pollinators all summer long.

Coneflowers (Echinacea) have a reputation for being wonderfully low-maintenance, but May is when a little effort really pays off, especially if you’re growing a mix of coneflower varieties. This is the point in the season that sets the tone for everything that follows. A bit of attention now helps you get sturdier stems, better structure, and flowers that last well into summer. If you grow coneflowers regularly, you’ll know these early tweaks make all the difference later on.

Around now, you’ll see them properly waking up. Fresh shoots are coming through, foliage is filling out, and the plant is starting to focus on building a strong framework before flowering begins.

There’s no need to overthink what to do with coneflowers in May – just a few well-timed, simple jobs will keep everything on track and looking its best as the season unfolds.

1. Lightly Shape Established Plants

If your coneflowers are already established, May is a great time to lightly shape them. Knowing when to cut back coneflowers can make a real difference, and right now is ideal for a gentle trim – taking off around a third of the stems encourages a more compact, balanced plant and helps avoid that slightly leggy, top-heavy look later on.

A clean, precise pair of snips – like the Fiskars Pruning Scissors for Flower Stems from Amazon – will make the job quick and tidy without damaging new growth.

It’s a small, straightforward task, but it has a noticeable impact, especially in exposed borders. Taller varieties in particular benefit from this early shaping, as it helps them stay upright and sturdy once the flowers begin to open.

2. Feed With A Light Touch

Coneflowers don’t ask for much, but a little feeding in May helps support what’s coming next. If you’re planning to fertilize coneflowers, keep it simple – a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or even a mulch of well-rotted compost is usually more than enough to give them a gentle boost. If you prefer a liquid feed, options like Miracle-Gro Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food or Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Bloom Booster Flower Food Fertilizer from Amazon can be useful for a quick, easy application.

The key is not to overdo it. Too much nitrogen encourages leafy growth at the expense of flowers, and coneflowers always perform best when that balance is just right.

3. Clear Weeds Early

It’s worth staying on top of weeds now, while plants are still filling out. Taking the time to get rid of weeds early is one of those small jobs that has a lasting impact – coneflowers dislike competition at the base, and clearing the surrounding soil allows them to establish properly and put their energy into flowering rather than competing for nutrients.

A long-handled tool like Grampa’s Weeder Tool from Amazon is particularly useful here, as it removes weeds cleanly at the root with minimal disturbance to the surrounding soil. Keeping the area clear also improves airflow around the plant, helping to maintain healthy growth and reducing the risk of issues as the season progresses.

4. Add Support Before It’s Needed

If you’re growing taller coneflower varieties, it’s far easier to add support now rather than waiting until they start to lean. Putting in a discreet stake or support early on allows the plant to grow naturally around it, so it quickly disappears into the foliage by midsummer.

A simple option like Garden Plant Support Stakes from Amazon works well for this, offering steady, unobtrusive support without disrupting the plant’s natural shape. It’s one of those small, preventative jobs that really pays off later in the season, when everything is in full bloom and holding itself up properly.

5. Divide Older Clumps If Necessary

If your coneflowers are a few years old and starting to look crowded, May is a sensible time to lift and divide plants. Learning when and how to divide plants like coneflowers can really refresh their performance – lift the clump, separate the healthier outer sections, and replant them into fresh soil.

It’s a straightforward way to reinvigorate older specimens, and you’ll usually be rewarded with a stronger, more floriferous display the following year. It also helps keep plants vigorous overall, rather than allowing them to decline in the center over time.

Shop Coneflower Care Essentials for May

Once coneflowers move into active growth, they really don’t need much interference. A bit of thoughtful care in May is enough to set everything up, and from there it’s largely about stepping back and letting them do what they do best.

If you grow coneflowers in pots as well as in borders, the same principle applies – just a little early attention to feeding, spacing, and support will keep them performing well through the season.

By early summer, that restraint pays off. You’re rewarded with a full, reliable display of flowers that feel easy, natural, and well-balanced in the garden.

Want more seasonal garden ideas, outdoor advice, and the latest news? Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox.

Coneflowers, or echinacea as they're also known, are a familiar sight with their large, plum purple and dusky pink daisy-like flowers blooming from July to October. They are the stars of the show in any prairie-style planting scheme and wild flower meadows, especially as they're natives of North America. Their natural glamour and nectar-rich flowers are a welcome addition to herbaceous borders.

The petals burst open in spectacular stars then droop downwards into a shuttlecock shape as summer stretches on. These vivid flowers will see you right through the summer season and up to the first touch of frost. Even then the sculptural seed heads will add pleasing shapes to your flowerbed ideas. No wonder they are among the best perennials out there.

Plant breeders have been hard at work, delivering a wider range of newer colors including shades of lime green, tangerine, apricot and mango. There are now tufty-looking double blooms and compact cultivars such as pink ‘Kim’s Knee High’ that work well in smaller spaces and containers. There are also marbled ones like ‘Art’s Pride’ that mix pink and orange in a flamboyant color show. There are so many coneflower varieties, you'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to understanding how to grow coneflower.

Growing habits of coneflowers

Echinacea is a hardy perennial that survives very cold winters. Plants become dormant in winter and re-emerge in spring, when you should cut them back for best results in the summer.

Coneflower plants need time to put down roots before their first winter. Plant in spring or up to early fall (September) as long as plants are watered during any dry spells.

Pre-soak your potted plant so it's well hydrated before it goes in the ground. Dig a hole twice as wide as the pot that the plant comes in and the same depth. Remove the plant from the pot and place it in the hole. Firm in gently all around with soil, then water in well.

Water coneflowers well from May to September, and keep an eye on them if it gets particularly hot as they won’t thrive if the soil dries out.

Mulching established plants over moist soil in late spring or early summer is a good way to keep your plants healthy.

It's worth knowing that even quite small plants will overwinter better in their pots than planted out in late fall or winter.

Coneflowers do not always flower well in their first year. Plant out in early fall if you want the best chance of a good display the following year. If you plant them in early spring (after the final frost), echinacea will produce leaves in three months but can take up to two years to actually produce blooms.

How to grow coneflower from seed 

It's easy to learn how to grow coneflower from seed in spring or fall for planting out next year, so this is a great option to go for. They’re inexpensive and readily available from a wide range of suppliers, such as these white Echinacea purpurea seeds available at Walmart. Here's how to do it:

• Fill a wide pot with seed compost almost to the top. Take a small pinch of seeds and sprinkle them thinly and evenly over the top of the compost.
• Add a light sprinkling of compost to cover the seeds.
• Water the seeds carefully and cover the pot with a polythene bag.
• After they have germinated and begun to grow, remove the polythene bag. Seedlings generally appear in about three weeks.
• When large enough to handle, transfer each seedling to a 9cm pot. Keep the seedlings in a cool but light place and protect from frosts. There's tips on how to transplant seedlings in our guide.
• Plant the seedlings out in a sunny spot in the garden once any risk of frost has passed.

Where to plant coneflower

Coneflowers grow best if you put them in a spot where they will get plenty of sunlight. They love warm and sunny conditions and are completely hardy, so can stay out all year round. They will tolerate some shade but it’s not their preferred spot.

They’re pretty easy going and will grow in most kinds of soil types, as long as it's not waterlogged or doesn’t completely dry out. They are fast growers and will self-seed profusely then pop up where you least expect it. And the more fertile the soil, the more they will thrive.

Several echinacea plants look best grouped together in clumps of three or five to make an impact in the middle of a garden border.

You can grow coneflowers in pots, too. Coneflowers do well in pots, provided there’s plenty of room for them to thrive. Choose a deep container and position it where they will get plenty of sunlight.

If you have heavy clay soil that may become waterlogged it’s probably better to grow echinacea as part of your container gardening ideas. Use a multi-purpose potting compost with plenty of added horticultural grit or vermiculite, available from Walmart, for good drainage.

More care tips for coneflowers

Deadhead coneflowers regularly will encourage more to form, but leave the seed heads in situ in fall for the birds to enjoy, as well as providing sculptural definition to your borders in winter.

You can cut back echinacea fully in spring when the new foliage emerges. Generally echinacea are disease and pest free.

If you are growing coneflower in large clumps, you should think about dividing up your plants in spring. They won't necessarily enjoy it but it's a good thing to do to create more for planting in the loose and naturalistic drifts that are so fashionable at the moment.

Take care when you start the division process, and use a knife to help separate portions of plant if necessary. Like most herbaceous perennials, echinacea should propagate well from basal cuttings taken off new spring growth. Make them 4-5in (10-13cm) long and cover with ventilated polythene out of full sun to root.

For more advice, our guide on how to take plant cuttings has lots of tips to get you started with plant propagation.

FAQs

Do coneflower make good cut flowers?

Coneflowers are a great option if you're looking for the best cutting garden flowers. They look great styled as single blooms in individual vases or as part of a softer, natural arrangement with cosmos, veronica and summer foliage from the garden. They are also one of the longest lasting cut flowers, and stay looking good for up to three weeks if you change the water regularly.

To get the best results, gather flowers first thing in the morning when they are freshest. Cut the long sturdy stems as near to the ground as possible to encourage more blooms to come along. Remove any leaves lower down the stems and recut them at a sharp angle to help keep the flowers fully hydrated.

Native Americans have used echinacea for centuries to treat various ailments. Today, it’s best known as an over-the-counter herbal remedy for the common cold or flu. However, it’s also used to treat pain, inflammation, migraines and other health issues. Both the plant’s upper parts and roots are used in tablets, tinctures, extracts and herbal teas. If you're interested, there are lots of other ideas for how to grow your own herbal tea.

Coneflowers come in a wealth of fantastic shades and forms, so many that there is sure to be a great coneflower variety for any backyard. These easy-growing perennial plants, also known as Echinacea, bloom vividly over a long period and are renowned as favorites of both bees and butterflies. 

They are low-maintenance plants that do need to be pruned once their growing season is over for the year. Deadheading throughout the summer will help encourage more blooms, but come the end of the season they do need to be cut down to the ground.

There are two schools of thought for when is the best time to cut back coneflowers. You can either cut back coneflowers in the fall after the flowers have faded for the year and the plant enters dormancy, or coneflowers can be cut back in the early spring before the new growth begins. We take a look at both methods to help you decide when to cut back coneflowers in your garden.

Cutting back coneflowers in fall

A lot of gardeners will choose to cut back coneflowers in the late fall or early winter after they go dormant. By cutting back coneflowers at this time it helps to ensure that your garden maintains a neat and tidy appearance. Trimming the plant back to just above ground level can be part of fall garden maintenance to tidy up flower beds and prepare the yard for the colder months. 

Coneflowers can naturally self-seed and spread around the garden, potentially getting out of hand if you are working with just a small garden and don’t want too much of one plant. Regularly deadheading coneflowers and removing seed heads as part of clearing coneflowers in the fall can prevent the plant from spreading throughout the garden. The timing of taking off the seed heads before they spread will also be key if you want to harvest coneflower seeds.

Whether you cut back coneflowers for winter depends on your priorities and also the local climate in your US hardiness zone. Zahid Adnan, a gardener and founder of The Plant Bible, claims: 'In colder climates, cutting back coneflowers in the fall is often recommended. This prevents disease issues and avoids leaving dead foliage susceptible to winter damage.'

One downside to cutting back in the fall in warmer climates is that it can encourage new growth to form, which can then be easily damaged by the winter frosts.

Cutting back coneflowers in spring

The other option for when to cut coneflowers back is to do it in spring. This tactic can help to boost the aesthetic appeal of the winter garden, with not only the plants looking architectural but the dried seed heads glistening when touched by frost or covered with a dusting of snow.

Miguel Palma, a professional gardener and owner of Jardin Tienda, claims that leaving the plants in place for winter ‘offers several benefits for your garden ecosystem’ and further cement the coneflower as one of the best plants for birds.

He says: ‘The dried seed heads left on the plants become a natural feeding station for birds, contributing to their sustenance during the colder months when food may be scarce. This practice aligns with a nature-friendly approach, allowing your garden to play a role in supporting local wildlife.’

Furthermore, leaving the stems can protect the crown of the plant from extreme winter weather and, while some gardeners may not want coneflowers seeding all over the yard, there are some who may relish the prospect of free plants sprouting up in their garden.

When you do cut back may depend on the type of coneflowers you are growing. There has been leaps forward in hybrid modern varieties in recent years, however, some hybrid types are sterile and do not produce seeds. That means that they do not spread, but also do not benefit birds that eat the seeds over winter. They can still offer an aesthetic benefit over winter, without being a food source. 

How far to cut back coneflowers

Cut stems back to around two inches above the ground. Leaving the short stems in place is done for two reasons, to protect the crown of the plant and to allow new shoots to emerge come next spring. The process to cut back coneflowers is the same whether you are doing the pruning in the fall or early spring. Any material from cutting back coneflowers can be added to the home pile to make compost, providing it is free of any sign of diseases.

It is important to use clean pruning shears when cutting the coneflowers down as using sanitized clean garden tools can prevent the spreading of disease around the garden. If not pruning shears, then hedge shears or garden scissors can be used to prune coneflowers. This 4-pack of garden-cutting tools, including pruning shears and garden scissors, available at Walmart can ensure you have all the tools for deadheading and cutting back a variety of plants, including coneflowers.

Coneflowers are one of the best plants for pollinators and deserve a place as part of many backyard ideas. Their flowers attract bees and butterflies in large numbers during the summer and fall blooming period – so native coneflowers should definitely be a must if you want to transform your space into a wildlife garden. You can see a wide range of coneflower varieties available at Nature Hills. 

Q: I have planted lots of new coneflowers (echinacea) in my yard this year as part of a drought-tolerant, prairie-garden scheme. They have started to flower and they look beautiful, but I'm wondering what to do when the blooms fade. Should I deadhead them, and if so, what's the best approach?

A: Deadheading plants is beneficial in more ways than one – and echinaceas are no exception. Removing the faded flowers will encourage the plants to make more blooms, rather than channel their energy into producing seeds. This means you can continue to enjoy their colorful display for longer – and so can visiting bees and butterflies. 

Regular deadheading also creates a neater appearance overall for your flower beds and containers, and, according to gardening expert Tony O'Neill, 'can prevent diseases and pest infestations, keeping your plants healthy.'

How to deadhead coneflowers

The process of deadheading echinaceas is very simple, as landscaping expert Bryan Clayton explains:

1. 'Identify the spent flowers. These are the ones that look faded, wilted, or dried out.'
2. 'Cut the stem of the faded flower back to the nearest set of leaves,' Bryan continues. 'If you want to encourage bushier growth, you can cut back to a leaf node further down the stem.' Use a sharp and clean pair of garden pruners for the job. 'Ensure you don't cut into the main stem or the rosette of leaves at the base,' adds Tony.
3. 'Dispose of the removed flower heads in your compost bin or green waste,' Bryan says.

'After deadheading, give your echinacea plant a good watering to help it recover from the stress of the process,' recommends Becky Decker of Gardeninghood.com. 'Consider applying a balanced fertilizer to provide the necessary nutrients for healthy growth and blooming.'

When to deadhead coneflowers

You can continue to deadhead your coneflowers throughout summer, as and when needed. However, chopping off the last of the blooms at the end of the season means that you'll miss out on the opportunity for free plants next year. 

Leaving some of the spent flower heads intact in late summer and fall will enable your echinaceas to self-seed and naturally proliferate in your yard, Bryan says. Allowing a few faded flowers to develop into seedheads will also help to make your yard more wildlife-friendly. They will provide a valuable food source for birds during the winter, Bryan says. Plus, they can offer beneficial insects a safe place to shelter throughout the colder months.

Alternatively, you can collect the seeds once the seedheads have dried, and store them for sowing wherever you like in your garden.

At the end of winter, as the plants start into new growth, you can cut dead coneflower stems back at the base.

Coneflowers are a beautiful and low-maintenance addition to any yard, and deadheading them correctly is an easy way to enjoy a prettier display for longer. Just remember to stay clear of the common deadheading mistakes for the best results.