Coneflowers (Echinacea) are a gardener’s favorite for a reason—they’re tough, drought-tolerant, and keep the pollinators buzzing all summer long. But once those vibrant purple, pink, or white blooms start to fade, don’t just walk away and forget about them. What you do now can make a huge difference for next year’s growth, future blooms, and even the wildlife in your backyard.
Here are 10 smart things to do after your coneflowers finish blooming.
1. Deadhead for More Blooms
If it’s still summer and your coneflowers haven’t completely gone to seed, snip off spent flowers just above a healthy set of leaves. This encourages the plant to produce new buds, extending the bloom season by a few more weeks.
2. Leave Some Seed Heads for Birds
Once late summer or fall arrives, stop deadheading and let some seed heads remain. Goldfinches, chickadees, and other songbirds love to snack on coneflower seeds through fall and even into winter. It’s a natural bird feeder right in your garden.
3. Collect and Save Seeds
Want more coneflowers next year? Collect dried seed heads after they’ve fully matured. Store the seeds in a paper envelope in a cool, dry place, and sow them in spring or let them naturally scatter for self-seeding.
4. Divide Older Clumps
Coneflowers can get crowded after a few years, which leads to fewer blooms. Divide your plants in early fall or spring by digging up the clump, separating it into smaller sections, and replanting them. You’ll refresh the mother plant and get free new ones to fill your garden.
5. Cut Back in Late Fall (But Not Too Soon)
Wait until after the first frost or when birds have had their fill before cutting back. Trim stems to about 3–4 inches from the ground. Cutting too early robs wildlife of food and winter shelter.
6. Mulch for Winter Protection
Spread a light layer of mulch—like shredded leaves, straw, or compost—around the base of the plants before winter sets in. This helps protect roots from extreme temperature swings.
7. Give Them a Deep Watering Before Ground Freezes
Coneflowers don’t need much water once established, but a deep soak before the ground freezes gives their roots extra moisture to store through winter.
8. Control Unwanted Self-Seeding
Coneflowers are generous self-seeders. If you don’t want them spreading everywhere, remove seed heads before they drop or gently pull unwanted seedlings in early spring.
9. Inspect for Pests and Diseases
Look for signs of fungal problems, leaf spots, or pests like aphids. Remove any diseased foliage to keep your plants healthy going into dormancy.
10. Hold Off on Fertilizing Until Spring
Fall isn’t the time for fertilizer. Your coneflowers are entering dormancy, so skip feeding until early spring, when a dose of compost or slow-release fertilizer will fuel healthy new growth.
Final Thoughts
Taking care of your coneflowers after they bloom doesn’t take much time, but it pays off big. A little deadheading, a bit of seed-saving, and some winter prep will reward you with healthy, vibrant plants that come back stronger and bloom even better next year.
