Photo: Mason Brock ( Masebrock )Public domainvia Wikimedia Commons
Waxy coneflower Plant Care
Echinacea simulata McGregor
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Echinacea simulata, commonly called pale purple coneflower or wavy leaf purple coneflower, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is native to the east-central states of the United States, including Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri and Tennessee. The U.S. Department of Agriculture also reports it as native to North Carolina and Virginia. Wavy leaf purple coneflower has a relatively small distribution, and its locations are still being determined. Its natural habitat is dry, calcareous, open areas such as barrens and woodlands.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
65–85°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Waxy coneflower?
Water Waxy coneflower every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 65–85°F (18–29°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Waxy coneflower Native To?
What Is the Waxy coneflower?
Waxy coneflower (Echinacea simulata) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Echinacea genus. Waxy coneflower is native to the east-central states of the United States. Waxy coneflower is also known as Smooth coneflower, Echinacea pallida var. simulata, Echinacea speciosa.
Waxy coneflower displays an upright clump-forming perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Waxy coneflower produces large daisy-like flowers in shades of purple, pink, and white.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Waxy coneflower?
Echinacea simulata requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Waxy coneflower Need?
Waxy coneflower thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Waxy coneflower Prefer?
Echinacea simulata grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Waxy coneflower prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Waxy coneflower?
Well-draining sandy loam with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Waxy coneflower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Waxy coneflower?
Feed Waxy coneflower every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Waxy coneflower?
Divide and replant every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Waxy coneflower?
Waxy coneflower can be propagated through seeds, division of mature plants. Similar propagation techniques also apply to purple coneflower plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Waxy coneflower Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Waxy coneflower, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Waxy coneflower?
Waxy coneflower is susceptible to aphids, japanese beetles. 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Waxy coneflower Need?
Waxy coneflower grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Waxy coneflower is native to the east-central states of the United States. In cooler regions, grow Waxy coneflower as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Waxy coneflower is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Echinacea genus — compare its care with other Echinacea species on PlantoScan.
Echinacea is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Waxy coneflower thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Echinacea Species
Other Echinacea species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Echinacea simulata McGregor, family Asteraceae (first published in Sida 3(4): 282 (1968)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Waxy coneflower, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Mason Brock ( Masebrock ), Public domain, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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