Purple coneflower

Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench

Native Perennial
Pollinator Plant
Birds Eat the Seed

Pet & Human Safety

People: No hazard foundPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

No hazardous parts found.

Preparation

not applicable

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

not applicable

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

No source we checked assesses this plant for pets, so the app makes no pet claim either way.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

Get the app: coming soon

Care

Hardiness zones: USDA zones 3a-8b (NC State); USDA zones 4-10 (UF/IFAS EDIS FP192).
Light: full sun to part shade
Water needs: low
Mature size: 3-4 ft tall and 1-2 ft wide (NC State); 2-3 ft (Colorado State); UF/IFAS gives spread 2-3 ft.
Family: Asteraceae (daisy family)
Where it comes from: Eastern and central USA (NC State); USDA NRCS describes rocky prairie and open woodland sites from northeast Texas, Missouri and Michigan eastward. UF/IFAS lists it as native to Florida.