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Dreaming of a garden full of beautiful Echinacea?
Growing them from seeds is easier than you think!
Here are 7 simple tactics to help you get started.
Ready to grow your own stunning Echinacea?
Let’s dig in!
Pick the Right Seeds
First things first, get good quality Echinacea seeds. You can find them at most garden centers or online.
Just make sure to check the reviews so you know you’re getting the real deal. Some people like to use seeds from their own plants, which is cool too.
Just make sure they’re from a healthy plant!
Start Indoors
Echinacea seeds do best when you start them indoors. Grab some seed starting trays or small pots.
Fill them up with seed starting mix – not regular potting soil. Plant the seeds about 1/4 inch deep and give them a light watering.
Keep these little guys in a warm spot with good light. You’ll start seeing some action in about 10-20 days.
Water Wisely
These seeds need to stay moist, but you don’t want to drown them. Keep the soil damp by misting it daily or using a spray bottle.
Too much water can cause the seeds to rot, and nobody wants that. Make sure you have good drainage, so the water doesn’t just sit there.
Think Goldilocks: not too wet, not too dry.
Transplanting Time
When your seedlings have a couple of sets of true leaves, it’s time for the big move. Hardening them off is essential.
This means taking them outside for a few hours each day, gradually increasing their time outdoors. Once they’re toughened up (about a week or so), you can transplant them into your garden.
Make sure they’re about 12-18 inches apart to give them room to grow.
Choose the Right Spot
Echinacea loves the sun, so pick a spot in your garden that gets full sunlight most of the day. They aren’t super picky about soil, but well-draining soil is their fave.
Adding a bit of compost can help give them a boost. They can even handle poor soil conditions, but like any plant, they’ll do better with a little TLC.
Regular Care
Once your plants are in the ground, keep an eye on them. Water them when the soil feels dry – usually about once a week.
Pull up any weeds that try to crash the party. And deadheading, or removing spent flowers, can encourage more blooms throughout the season.
Fertilizer isn’t a must, but a light feeding in the spring can help them grow strong.
Watch Out for Pests
Echinacea can handle pests pretty well, but occasionally you might get some visitors like aphids or caterpillars. You can usually wash them off with a blast of water.
If things get really out of hand, insecticidal soap can help. Keep an eye on mildew and rot too, which usually means you need to work on your watering habits.