Eastern Purple-coneflower
Echinacea purpurea
Last reviewed: July 2026
Eastern Purple-coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is a native perennial wildflower blooming purple from June through August across much of the eastern and central United States.
The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Eastern Purple-coneflower as toxic to livestock.
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
24"–48" H × 18"–24" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
AL, AR, CO, FL and 20 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies, beetles
Deer
Resistant (per Prairie Moon Nursery)
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Eastern purple-coneflower is a beloved native perennial with distinctive pink-purple daisy-like flowers and prominent orange-brown centers. The sturdy stems reach 2-4 feet tall and produce abundant blooms from June through August, followed by attractive seed heads that persist into winter.
Growing Eastern Purple-coneflower
Grow Eastern Purple-coneflower in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 24 to 48 inches tall and spread 18 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Eastern Purple-coneflower is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
- Can look sparse in late winter before new growth emerges
Wildlife value
Host plant for Silvery Checkerspot.
This plant is excellent for pollinators, attracting bees, butterflies, and beetles to its nectar-rich flowers. The seed heads provide food for goldfinches and other birds throughout fall and winter.
Common questions
- When does Eastern Purple-coneflower bloom?
- Echinacea purpurea typically blooms from June through August, producing distinctive purple daisy-like flowers with prominent orange-brown central cones.
- What pollinators visit Eastern Purple-coneflower?
- This native wildflower attracts a diverse array of pollinators including bees, butterflies, and beetles, making it valuable for supporting pollinator populations.
- Where is Echinacea purpurea native?
- Eastern Purple-coneflower is native to much of the eastern and central United States, from the Great Lakes region south to the Gulf Coast and from the Atlantic states west to Colorado and Texas.
- What growing conditions does Eastern Purple-coneflower prefer?
- Echinacea purpurea thrives in full sun to partial sun with medium moisture but adapts to various water conditions from dry to moist soils once established.
- Is Eastern Purple-coneflower toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Eastern Purple-coneflower as toxic to livestock.
- Is Eastern Purple-coneflower HOA-friendly?
- Eastern Purple-coneflower is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Ready to grow Eastern Purple-coneflower? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz