Coneflowers (Echinacea) are hardy perennial plants prized for their long blooming season and drought tolerance. These daisy-like flowers are excellent for attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. Coneflowers are easy to propagate, offering three distinct methods to expand your collection or share plants. The best method depends on whether you have an established plant, are starting fresh, or need to preserve the traits of a specific cultivar.
Dividing Established Coneflower Clumps
Dividing an existing coneflower clump is the most reliable way to produce new, genetically identical plants while also rejuvenating the parent plant. This process is best performed in early spring as new growth emerges, or in late fall after the plant has finished blooming. Dividing a mature clump every three to five years prevents overcrowding and maintains plant vigor, which can otherwise decline as the center of the clump becomes woody and unproductive.
To begin, use a sharp spade to dig around the perimeter of the plant, about 6 to 8 inches away from the center, lifting the entire root ball. Gently shake or rinse off the excess soil to expose the fibrous root system and the crown (where the stems meet the roots). Use a sharp knife or clean spade to slice the root mass into smaller sections, ensuring each division has several healthy roots and at least one or two growth buds (“eyes”).
New divisions should be replanted immediately into prepared soil at the same depth they were previously growing. Water the newly planted divisions thoroughly to settle the soil and eliminate any air pockets, minimizing transplant shock. If dividing in the fall, complete the process at least four to six weeks before the first hard frost to allow the roots time to establish.
Starting Coneflowers from Seed
Propagating coneflowers from seed is an economical way to produce a large number of plants, though it requires patience as the plants may not flower until their second year. Successful germination requires a period of cold, moist stratification, which mimics the natural winter conditions needed to break the seed’s dormancy. Without this cold treatment, germination rates can be very low.
Indoor stratification involves mixing the seeds with a sterile, moist medium (like sand or peat moss). Place them in a sealed container and store them in a refrigerator at about 40°F for 30 to 60 days. After the cold period, sow the seeds lightly on the surface of a sterile seed-starting mix, as light can aid the germination process.
Alternatively, winter sowing is a simpler method where seeds are planted in containers outdoors during late fall or early winter. The seeds are exposed to natural fluctuations of cold temperatures and moisture, which naturally stratifies them over the winter months. When spring temperatures warm up, the seeds will germinate naturally, producing robust seedlings acclimated to outdoor conditions.
Propagating Coneflowers Using Cuttings
Propagating coneflowers using root cuttings is an effective method, especially for maintaining the specific characteristics of hybrid cultivars that may not grow true from seed. The best time to take root cuttings is during late fall or early winter when the plant’s energy is stored in the roots and the plant is dormant. Root cuttings utilize the plant’s natural ability to regenerate from its root tissue, unlike stem cuttings which are generally unreliable for many Echinacea varieties.
To harvest the cuttings, carefully dig up the plant or selectively expose a portion of the root mass, aiming to leave at least half of the original plant intact. Select healthy, pencil-thick roots and cut them into segments that are approximately 2 to 3 inches long. These root pieces can then be planted either horizontally, just beneath the surface of a sterile, moist potting mix, or vertically with the end closest to the crown facing upward.
Planting the root cuttings in a warm, sheltered location or on a heat mat encourages the development of new shoots and roots. New growth will emerge from the root segments over the next few months. The small plants can be transplanted into the garden once they have developed a substantial root system.