Echinacea in Zone 7B — Texas

Echinacea, or coneflower, is a great addition to any Texas garden. Not only are they beautiful, bringing vibrant color to your flower beds, but the petals can be used to make a soothing tea. Plus, they attract pollinators, which is always a win in our gardens.

Now, we all know that gardening in Texas comes with its own set of challenges, like the extreme heat and unpredictable weather. But don't worry, Echinacea is a tough plant and with our long 255-day growing season, you have plenty of time to get them established.

Starting Echinacea indoors is an option, but honestly, it's not always necessary here in Texas. If you're itching to get a head start, aim to sow seeds indoors from early to late January, about eight weeks before you plan to transplant.

Use seed trays and provide warmth and light for best germination. A little bottom watering helps keep the soil evenly moist without disturbing the tiny seeds. Keep in mind that our springs can be early, so be ready to move quickly once the weather cooperates.

Transplanting your Echinacea seedlings outdoors is best done from early to late March. Before you put them in the ground, be sure to harden them off by gradually exposing them to the outdoors for about a week.

Space them about 18-24 inches apart to give them room to grow. Keep an eye on the weather; we can still get some unpredictable freezes around this time, so be ready to cover them if needed. Echinacea is a perennial, and the seeds need cold stratification, so buying starts might be easier for some folks.

Direct sowing Echinacea is a perfectly viable option in Texas, and honestly, it's often the easiest. You can sow seeds directly into the ground from early March through early August.

Make sure the soil is well-prepared and the temperature is consistently warm. Plant the seeds about 18-24 inches apart. Just keep in mind that direct-sown plants might take a little longer to mature than transplants.

Echinacea is known for being drought-tolerant, which is a huge plus in Texas. Once established, they really don't need much pampering when it comes to watering.

During the hottest part of the summer, especially with our typical 97°F days, give them a good soak if you haven't had any rain for a week or two. Stick your finger about 2 inches deep into the soil; if it's dry, it's time to water. Aim for about an inch of water per week, either from rain or irrigation. Water at the base of the plant to avoid creating a humid environment around the leaves, given our variable humidity.

Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and stunted growth. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so watch out for yellowing leaves. A good layer of mulch, like shredded cedar, will help retain moisture and keep the soil cool.

Pruning Echinacea is pretty straightforward. Deadheading spent flowers will encourage more blooms throughout the growing season. Just snip off the flower heads below the spent bloom.

However, if you want to leave some seed heads for the birds, especially the goldfinches, you can do that too – they love them! In late winter, after the first frost around mid- November, cut the plants back to the ground to prepare for new growth in the spring.

You can expect your first Echinacea harvest from early June through late November, about 90 days after planting. The flowers will be in full bloom, typically midsummer to fall.

You can harvest the petals for tea when the flowers are at their peak. Just gently pluck the petals from the flower head. Leave some seed heads on the plants for the goldfinches; they'll appreciate it. As the first frost approaches in mid- November, you can harvest any remaining flowers or seed heads to dry for later use.

Here are a few common problems you might encounter with Echinacea in Texas:

Aster Yellows

• What it looks like: Distorted, greenish flowers and stunted growth. The plant may also develop abnormal clusters of leaves.
• What causes it: A disease transmitted by leafhoppers. It's more prevalent during years with high leafhopper populations, which can fluctuate with our unpredictable weather patterns.
• How to fix/prevent it: Unfortunately, there's no cure for aster yellows. Remove and destroy infected plants to prevent the spread of the disease. Control leafhopper populations with insecticidal soap if necessary.

Powdery Mildew

• What it looks like: White or grayish powdery coating on leaves, stems, and sometimes fruit. Leaves curl, yellow, and die. Reduces plant vigor.
• What causes it: Various fungi that thrive in warm days, cool nights, and moderate humidity. Dry leaf surfaces actually favor it (unlike most fungi).
• How to fix/prevent it: Improve air circulation through spacing and pruning. Remove affected leaves. Neem oil or potassium bicarbonate sprays help. Milk spray (1 part milk to 9 parts water) is surprisingly effective. Plant resistant varieties.

Japanese Beetles

• What it looks like: Metallic green beetles that skeletonize leaves, leaving only the veins behind.
• What causes it: Japanese beetles are attracted to stressed plants, and our Texas heat can certainly stress them out.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpick beetles off plants and drop them into a bucket of soapy water. You can also use insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Texas Specific Challenges: The combination of hot-to-extreme heat, variable humidity, and unpredictable rainfall can create stress for Echinacea, making them more susceptible to pests and diseases. Consistent monitoring and proactive measures are key to keeping your plants healthy.

Echinacea plays well with others in the Texas garden. Tomatoes and peppers make great companions because they enjoy similar growing conditions – full sun and well-drained soil. Plus, Echinacea attracts beneficial insects that can help pollinate your tomatoes and peppers.

Herbs like rosemary and lavender are also good companions. Their strong scents can help deter pests, and they also enjoy the same dry conditions as Echinacea. Avoid planting Echinacea near anything that requires consistently moist soil, as that can lead to overwatering and root rot.