Echinacea purpurea aka coneflower is a beautiful perennial flower (USDA climate zones 3-9) found in many landscapes around the world. It prefers full sun to part shade and well draining soil. Although Echinacea does like a good drink of water from time to time it is quite drought tolerant. Often grown for it's ornamental value, Echinacea has a myriad of other uses. Benefical insects like bees, butterflies and even praying mantis are attracted to their showy blooms. The flower heads make a delicious healthy immune boosting tea. But the most overlooked value this amazing plant provides is it's medicinal usage. Echinacea is high in antioxidants and helps to boost the immune system. Although the roots are most commonly utilized to make cold and virus fighting tincture and powder, nearly the whole plant contains the same benefits. The leaves, flower heads and seeds are also utilized and combined with the root to make the strongest plant medicine.
Echinacea is easily grown from seed or proliferated by way of root division. Seeds are collected late Fall into winter once the flower heads turn black and are dry. This is also a good time to harvest the roots although waiting until late Winter early Spring allows you to take basal cuttings or separate the roots/rhizome with the developing shoots.
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