Pale purple coneflower Echinacea pallida
Pale purple coneflower (Echinacea pallida) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Asteraceae family, native to Prairies and glades of the central United States. It grows 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) tall and 30–50 cm (12–20 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -35 °C (-31 °F). Space plants about 40 cm (16 in) apart.
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Pale purple coneflower at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Mature height | 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
| Spacing | 40 cm (16 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -35 °C (-31 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Prairies and glades of the central United States |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
Is Pale purple coneflower toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Pale purple coneflower
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Pale purple coneflower
- How far apart should I plant Pale purple coneflower?
- About 40 cm (16 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–50 cm (12–20 in).
- Does Pale purple coneflower need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Pale purple coneflower need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Pale purple coneflower?
- It tolerates about -35 °C (-31 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Pale purple coneflower flower?
- From about June for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Pale purple coneflower poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Pale purple coneflower?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Pale purple coneflower. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- Illinois Wildflowers (descriptions and insect-visitor records), John Hilty, illinoiswildflowers.info
Notes and assumptions
- A tallgrass prairie plant: deep roots make it drought-proof once established; it wants sun and lean soil (rich soil makes it flop). Leave the stems standing in winter for seed-eating birds and overwintering insects.
- Long, narrow, drooping pale pink petals around a dark orange-brown cone in early summer, earlier and more graceful than the common purple coneflower. Goldfinches eat the seed heads. Its roots are used in herbal echinacea preparations.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Lettuce Lactuca sativa
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
- French tarragon Artemisia dracunculus