Overview: Echinaceas (aka coneflowers) are a native plant to the United states that bloom during mid summer throughout the fall and act as a great pollinator. They can be grown to use in a bouquet or they are edible and provide many positive health benefits. (Source)
Seed starting advice: Echinacea can be grown from seeds in a pot indoors and transported into the ground, or they can be planted directly into the ground. When planting directly into the ground, they must be planted mid to late summer, in an area that gets a lot of sunlight. It is important to remove weeds from the area you are planning them in and mix in fertilizer with the soil. Plant seeds evenly about ¼ inch under the soil. Firm down the soil and keep it evenly moist throughout the area. Seedlings should form within 10-20 days. (Source)
Growing advice: Echinacea grows best in hardiness Zones 3-9. It is necessary to water about an inch deep into the soil once a week to help the roots grow. Make sure the weeds around are under control and removed because they will compete with the plant for water. Covering the area with mulch can help retain the moisture. Echinacea die over the winter, as the wet soil with poor drainage usually makes them rot. (Source)
Harvesting advice: You can begin to pick echinacea flowers once they have fully bloomed. To harvest, cut the stems above the lowest leaf part of the stem. To create a bouquet, place the stems into a vase of water, changing the water every 2-3 days. To store them as an ingredient, it is easiest to store them by drying them out, lay them out flat in a sheltered, dry location, or hang them in bunches until they’re entirely dry, and then store in a sealed container. (Source)
Recipe for Echinacea Tea (Source)
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoon of fresh or dried echinacea (aka coneflower)
- 10 ounces of water
- Honey (optional)
- Lemon (optional)
Instructions:
- Boil water in a pot
- Once the water boils, turn the heat down to medium and add in the coneflower
- Place a lid on the pot, simmer for 5-10 min
- Strain the loose flowers, roots, leaves, from the pot and pour water into a teacup
- Add flavorings or sweeteners such as honey or lemon if desired
Health Benefits:
- Helps boost immune system
- Helps prevent infections
- Reduce pain
- Boosts Mood
Written by: Mary Flaherty