Echinacea Ulf Eliasson / CC BY 2.5
herb

Echinacea

Overview

A beloved native prairie wildflower that has become one of the most popular herbal supplements in the world for immune support. Echinacea's distinctive cone-shaped flower heads with drooping petals bloom for weeks and attract a parade of butterflies and bees. Native Americans used echinacea more widely than any other plant medicine, applying it to everything from snakebites to toothaches.

Mentioned in The Mycelial Grimoire

Posts on the Grimoire that reference Echinacea.

Butterfly Weed: The Pollinator Plant Saving Monarchs Read → Pollinator Garden Guide: Best Plants for Bees, Butterflies & Hummingbirds Read →

Companion Planting & Soil

Good Companions

RudbeckiaBlazing starLittle bluestemGoldenrod
Soil pH6 — 7
Soil TypeWell-drained, average soil; drought-tolerant once established

Planting Calendar

When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.

ZoneActionMonthsNotes
Moderate (5-7) Transplant Apr — May Plant in spring; native prairie plant, drought tolerant once established
Moderate (5-7) Divide Mar — Apr Divide clumps every 3-4 years in early spring

Uses

Culinary

  • Root and flower petal tea
  • Dried leaves used in herbal tea blends

Medicinal

  • Widely used immune stimulant for cold and flu prevention
  • Root tincture is the most potent preparation
  • Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties

Other Uses

  • Critical native pollinator plant
  • Seed heads provide winter food for goldfinches
  • Long-blooming perennial for prairie and meadow gardens