Coneflowers, also frequently known as Echinacea, are very popular, colorful, flowering perennials. Producing very distinctive, big, and daisy-like flowers in shades of red to pink to white with hard, spiky centers, these flowers are both hardy and attractive to pollinators. In other words, there’s no reason not to plant them in your garden. What about containers? If you don’t have the space for a garden bed, will coneflowers grow just as well on a patio or balcony? Keep reading to learn more about how to grow coneflowers in a pot.
Can You Grow Coneflowers in Containers?
It is possible to grow coneflowers in a pot, as long as it’s a big one. Coneflowers are naturally drought tolerant, which is good news for containers since they dry out much more quickly than garden beds. That being said, you don’t want your container grown coneflowers to dry out too much. Never let the soil get soggy but try to water them whenever the top of the soil dries out. To cut down on the need for water, and to give the plant plenty of room to establish itself, opt for as big a container as possible. Coneflowers are perennials, and they should come back bigger and better every spring if allowed. Due to this, you will probably have to divide them and move them to new containers every few years.
How to Grow Coneflowers in Containers
If you’re starting your coneflowers from seed, simply sow the seed in the container in autumn and leave it outside. This will naturally provide the stratification the seeds need to germinate. If you’re planting a seedling, make sure to transplant it with the soil at the same level – you don’t want to cover up the crown. Feed your container grown coneflowers with a 10-10-10 fertilizer. Place the container in an area that receives full sun. Coneflowers are hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9, which means they should be hardy in containers down to zone 5. You can bury the container in a hole in the ground or build up mulch around it for added winter protection.
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How To Harvest Echinacea Flowers, Seeds And RootsThe entire echinacea plant can be harvested and used for medicine and health. Learn here how to harvest your pretty coneflowers, from seeds to roots.
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Echinacea Deadheading: Do You Need To Deadhead ConeflowersAlso known as purple coneflower, Echinacea has grown wildly and contently for hundreds of years without any maintenance. When I suggest coneflowers to a customer, I am often asked "do you need to deadhead coneflowers?" Click here for the answer.
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Companion Plants For Echinacea: Learn What To Plant With ConeflowersCompanion plants for Echinacea should have similar cultural requirements and can create a bed with attractive blooms for any beneficial insect. To create a lively color bed, choose Echinacea companions carefully. This article will help get you started.
