Not every garden owner is content with planting finished perennials, such as coneflowers. Some would prefer to grow their own plants and start selecting suitable seeds and sowing in the winter.
How do you sow coneflowers correctly?
To sow coneflowers successfully, choose a period between April and May. Sow the seeds widely or 40 cm apart outdoors and cover them generously with soil as they germinate in the dark. Keep the seeds moist at all times during the 2-3 week germination period.
In this case, the coneflower is also very suitable for gardening beginners because it germinates quite reliably and does not require a lot of care. This applies to both the yellow coneflower (Rudbeckia) and the red coneflower (Echinacea), which is known as a medicinal plant,
Where do you get the seeds from?
You can get Rudbeckia and Echinacea seeds in garden shops or online, sometimes even in the supermarket. However, you are more likely to find the special varieties, such as unusual colors or double flowers, in (internet) specialist shops.
Seeds from your own plants
If you don't want to buy seeds, you can also use seeds from your own plants. Collect the wilted inflorescences during the flowering period. Store the ripe seeds in a dry, cool and dark place until they are sown. The temperature should be below 5 °C for a few weeks, because coneflowers are cold germinators.
Sowing outdoors
The months of April and May are ideal for sowing coneflowers outdoors, but it can be done practically at any time. If you sow widely or plant the seeds individually about 40 cm apart, then you will save yourself having to prick out the young plants later.
Cover the seeds generously with soil, because the coneflower is a dark germinator. During the germination period, which lasts about two to three weeks, the seeds should always be kept moist.
Grow in a pot
You can always grow coneflowers in pots. The seeds should be sown at a distance of approx. 1 – 2 cm. The young plants should be around 10 to 5 cm tall when planted out. Ideally, you should choose the time between the Ice Saints and August, although coneflower is hardy.
The best tips for sowing:
- Dark Germ
- Cold germination
- Keep seeds well moist
- Germination time 2 – 3 weeks
Tips & Tricks
If you would like to use the coneflower as a medicinal plant, then choose the red coneflower of the Echinacea purpurosa variety.