How to Propagate Coneflower

Echinacea purpurea · Also called Echinacea

Coneflower divides easily and also self-seeds readily in the garden. Root cuttings — sections of root planted horizontally — are a lesser-known method that also works well for this plant.

Division

Dig up the clump, separate into sections with roots and growth points, replant.

Root cutting

Cut a 2–3 inch section of root, lay horizontally an inch deep in moist soil; new shoots emerge from it.

Growing from seed

Coneflower often self-seeds in the garden; collected seed germinates readily after a period of cold.

When to propagate

Spring or fall for division; fall for seed collection.

Common problems

Divided section wilted. Water well; normal short-term stress.

Questions people ask

Will seed-grown plants look the same as the parent? Straight species plants generally come true from seed, but named hybrid cultivars often don’t — division is more reliable if you want an exact match.

Related

Soil & cutting methods hub · Similar plants: Black-Eyed Susan, Yarrow