Common Name: Echinacea (Coneflower)
Scientific Name: Echinacea purpurea
Areas of the United States Found in Nature
Echinacea is native to the central and eastern United States, commonly found in prairies, meadows, and open woodlands. It is widely cultivated in gardens across the country for its medicinal properties and ornamental value. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soils.
How to Identify It
Echinacea is a hardy perennial herb that typically grows 2-4 feet tall. It has coarse, hairy stems and dark green leaves that are lance-shaped and arranged alternately along the stem. The plant is most recognizable by its large, daisy-like flowers with prominent, spiky, cone-shaped centers that are usually orange or brown, surrounded by pink, purple, or white petals that droop downwards. The flowers bloom from mid-summer to early fall.
How and When to Harvest for the Highest Medicinal Value
Harvest Echinacea flowers when they are fully open and at their peak, usually in mid-summer. Cut the flowers in the morning after the dew has dried, using sharp scissors or pruning shears. Roots can be harvested in the fall of the plant’s second or third year when the plant is dormant, as this is when they are most potent.
How to Preserve the Herb for Future Use
Echinacea can be dried or used fresh:
Drying
Hang small bunches of Echinacea flowers upside down in a dark, cool, and well-ventilated area, or use a dehydrator on a low setting. For roots, wash them thoroughly, chop them into small pieces, and dry them in a dehydrator or a warm, airy location. Once dried, store in airtight containers away from light and moisture.
Tinctures and Extracts
Fresh or dried Echinacea can be used to make tinctures or extracts by soaking the plant material in alcohol or glycerin. These preparations are often used for their immune-boosting properties.
Medicinal Uses
Echinacea is well-known for its immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. It is commonly used to help prevent and treat colds, flu, and other upper respiratory infections.
Tea
Steep 1-2 teaspoons of dried Echinacea flowers or roots in hot water for 10-15 minutes. Drink the tea to help boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, and alleviate symptoms of colds and flu.
Tincture
Fill a jar with fresh or dried Echinacea root or flowers and cover them with a high-proof alcohol like vodka. Seal the jar and let it sit in a cool, dark place for 4-6 weeks, shaking it occasionally. Strain the liquid into a clean bottle. The tincture can be used in small doses (usually 1-2 ml) to support the immune system.
Capsules
Dried Echinacea root or flower can be ground into a powder and encapsulated for convenient use as an immune-boosting supplement.
How to Propagate for Annual Use in Your Garden
Echinacea can be propagated from seeds, cuttings, or by division.
From Seed
Sow Echinacea seeds directly in the garden in early spring or fall. The seeds should be lightly covered with soil, as they require light to germinate. Keep the soil moist until germination, which usually occurs within 10-20 days.
By Cuttings
Take cuttings from young Echinacea plants in late spring or early summer. Remove the lower leaves, dip the cut end in rooting hormone, and plant the cutting in a pot with well-drained soil. Keep the cuttings in a shaded area until they root, then transplant them into your garden.
By Division
Divide mature Echinacea plants in early spring or fall. Dig up the plant and gently separate the roots into smaller sections, each with at least one growing point. Replant the divisions at the same depth they were growing before, spacing them about 1-2 feet apart. Water well after planting.
How to Over-Winter the Plant
Echinacea is hardy and can survive winter in most regions without special care.
Cut Back
After the first frost or once the plant has fully died back in late fall, cut the stems down to about 2-3 inches above the ground. This helps prevent any disease and tidies up the garden.
Mulch
Apply a layer of mulch, such as straw or shredded leaves, around the base of the plant after the ground begins to freeze. This helps insulate the roots and protect them from severe cold and temperature fluctuations.
Watering
Reduce watering during the winter months, as Echinacea goes dormant and does not need as much water. Ensure the soil remains well-draining to prevent root rot.
In the spring, remove any mulch and allow new growth to emerge naturally. Echinacea will regrow from its roots and continue to provide its vibrant flowers and medicinal benefits.
