Purple Coneflower Plant Care

Purple Coneflower (Brauneria atrorubens) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Brauneria genus. Purple Coneflower is native to eastern Kansas, Oklahoma, and eastern Texas in the south-central United States. Purple Coneflower is also known as Echinacea.

Purple Coneflower displays a low rosette, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Purple Coneflower produces small daisy-like flowers in various colors.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Purple Coneflower every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Purple Coneflower thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Brauneria atrorubens tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Purple Coneflower prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Purple Coneflower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Purple Coneflower every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Purple Coneflower is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Purple Coneflower can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Purple Coneflower while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Purple Coneflower is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Purple Coneflower can be propagated through seeds, division of root clumps.

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Purple Coneflower is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Purple Coneflower grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Purple Coneflower is native to eastern Kansas, Oklahoma, and eastern Texas in the south-central United States. In cooler regions, grow Purple Coneflower as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.