Growing certain plants can be very tedious because they require so much to grow properly.
This is why a lot of gardeners tend to look out for plants that are easy to grow and less stressful to maintain.
Well, this isn’t to say that every plant you find in the garden is an easy-to-grow plant.
Easy to grow plants are plants that don’t require much in terms of soil, temperature, sunlight, and money to grow.
In addition, these plants are usually adaptable to almost all environment types.
Coneflowers are regular faces in a lot of gardens, could this be they are easy to grow? Let’s find out!
Are Coneflowers Easy To Grow?
Yes, Coneflowers are easy to grow, even for inexperienced gardeners, they are not just easy to grow they are also very easy to maintain.
Coneflowers do not require so much to grow.
Coneflowers are heat and drought-resistant. Hence, they have a high ability to survive low water conditions.
They naturally do not need to be watered excessively except when they are newly planted. This reduces the stress of daily watering.
Also, coneflowers don’t necessarily need to be planted yearly, through their underground roots; they are capable of resurfacing even when they appear to have died.
Keep reading for more interesting information about coneflowers and how to grow them.
Here is an article I wrote on do coneflowers need full sun
What Makes A Plant Easy To Grow?
Certain plants are super stress-free to grow, these plants are often referred to as “easy-to-grow plants”.
Here are some features of these plants;
- They require less effort and less amount of time invested in maintenance.
- These types of plants are very adaptable to their immediate surroundings.
- They don’t require much in terms of soil, sunlight and watering.
- These plants are not picky and are the best choice for your garden.
- These plants usually put up with being forgotten, as they need very little pruning or pinching.
- Easy to grow plants rarely get sick or infected with pests, and low-light doesn’t bother them for a while.
Aside from coneflowers, other good examples of easy to grow plants include;
- Sunflower
- Aloe Vera
- Potatoes
- Radishes
- Shamrock
- Carrots
- Green beans
- Tomatoes
- Lettuces
- Cucumbers
Where Do Coneflowers Grow Best?
Here are lists of preferable conditions that enhance the growth of coneflowers.
- Most coneflowers will do best in USDA zones three to nine. USDA zones also known as hardiness zone is a geographic area defined as having a certain range of annual minimum temperatures. This is a factor relevant to the survival of many plants, and most coneflowers thrive in zone 3-9 of these geographic areas.
- Coneflowers grow best in areas of full sunlight. Coneflowers do best with about 5 to 8 hours of sun per day. If you want your sunflower to be at its optimum best, then it is very much advised that it is kept in an area where it can access full sun.
- Coneflowers can also thrive with about 3 hours of sunlight a day. Although they don’t have the same result as those that have sunlight for 6 to 8 hours.
- Coneflowers do well with partial shades as well, although their flowers wouldn’t be very bright. Coneflowers kept in partial shades usually have dull appearances. However, if your coneflower does not get any form of sunlight at all, it won’t be in good shape. It may wilt and its stem may grow to an unusual height. This will eventually affect the shape of the plant, causing them to bend over.
- Coneflowers do best in loose well-drained soil, as earlier stated, coneflowers aren’t picky plants. This means they can thrive in practically any kind of soil, however, they are at their best in loose well-drained soils.
Also check out this article I wrote on are coneflowers invasive?
How Quickly Does Coneflower Grow?
Coneflowers are considered to be fast-growing plants.
They usually germinate as fast as 3 to 4 weeks after they are planted. However, they usually take about two years to bloom.
Although these plants are fast-growing plants, certain things need to be done to enable them to grow properly.
- First, understand that these plants are drought resistant. This doesn’t mean they don’t need water at all. They will do much better with fairly regular watering.
- If they are newly planted, it’s safe to water them daily. However, when they are about two years older or more, they may only need watering during droughts.
- You should also know that these plants are heat tolerant. They thrive well in very hot climate conditions.
- Also, note that the leaves of coneflowers shouldn’t be watered as this can lead to fungal diseases on the leaves.
- They thrive in loose, well-drained soil; however, they don’t do badly in other soils. Coneflowers are at the peak of their performance when they are planted in loose, well-drained soils.
- These plants are also adaptable to other soil types; they practically thrive well in any type of soil. However, ensure the soil they’re planted in isn’t soggy; this is a major limitation to their growth. Soggy soils are overly wet soils and they are a result of excessive watering.
What Month Is Best To Plant Coneflowers?
It is best to plant coneflowers during spring, which is usually from May to April. The timing for sowing a plant is very important to its growth.
Planting coneflowers in spring is ideal because the danger of deep frost has passed and coneflowers need time to take their roots deep into the ground.
However, spring is not the only ideal time to plant coneflowers; they can be planted in fall as well. Fall is usually between September, October, and November.
When planting in fall, however, precautions have to be taken.
In other to avoid the effect of frost on coneflowers ensure to plant them several weeks before frost begins so that they have time to grow healthy roots before winter.
Do Coneflowers Spread?
Coneflowers do spread, however, they have several means by which they effect their spread. Here they are;
· Coneflowers spread by producing seeds. This process involves the reproduction of seeds by flowers which in turn leads to the production of more plants.
· Coneflowers spread by vegetative reproduction. Vegetative reproduction is simply a means by which plants produce new plants from parts of their own body, such as stems, roots, or leaves.
· These plants also spread in clumps; this is why they are referred to as invasive plants because they come in mass.
· Coneflowers spread by seed dispersal. This is when a coneflower spreads its seeds by using external forces, such as wind or water.
Conclusion
Coneflowers are very easy to grow; this explains why they are the most frequently used plants in most gardens.
These easy-to-maintain plants require full sun to thrive but also do pretty well in partial shades.
These plants require loose well-drained soil yet they can still thrive in any soil type.
Since they are drought resistant, you don’t have to stress over watering them every single day except when they are still young.
These flowers are also known for their fast-growing abilities. It takes them a period of 3 to 4 weeks to germinate after they are planted.