Yellow Coneflower

Planting Instructions for Yellow Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata)

1. Direct Sowing Outdoors

Fall Sowing:

• Timing: Plant seeds in late fall, after the first frost, but before the ground freezes.
• Site Selection: Choose a location with full sun to light shade. Ensure good air circulation.
• Soil Preparation:
• Planting Depth: Scatter seeds on the soil surface, pressing them lightly into the soil without covering them.
• Stratification: No additional stratification is required when sowing in fall; natural winter conditions suffice.
• Watering: Water lightly after sowing. Fall rains typically provide sufficient moisture.
• Maintenance: Mulching is optional but can help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

Spring Sowing:

• Timing: Sow seeds in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked.
• Stratification: Seeds require 30–60 days of cold stratification for optimal germination. Simulate this by refrigerating seeds in a damp paper towel inside a plastic bag.
• Planting Process: Same as fall sowing.

2. Starting Seeds Indoors for Spring Transplanting

• Timing: Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost date in your area.
• Stratification: Cold-stratify seeds for 30–60 days before planting.
• Containers: Use seed trays or pots filled with a seed-starting mix.
• Planting Depth: Sow seeds on the surface of the soil and press lightly; do not bury them.
• Watering: Mist lightly to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
• Light Requirements: Place under grow lights or in a bright, sunny window; yellow coneflower seeds need light to germinate.
• Germination Time: 10–21 days at temperatures around 65–75°F.
• Transplanting:

3. General Care and Maintenance

• Watering: Yellow coneflowers are drought-tolerant once established but benefit from regular watering during the first growing season.
• Fertilization: They generally don’t need fertilizer in rich soils; a light application of compost in spring is sufficient.
• Pruning: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming, but leave some seed heads for wildlife and reseeding.
• Weeding: Regularly remove competing weeds, especially during establishment.
• Invasiveness: Yellow coneflower is not invasive but can self-seed in favorable conditions. Control reseeding if necessary.

Native Plant Map

Dark Green indicates the plant is native within the state, yellow rare, the lime green indicates where the plant is native and seen more within a state.

Map Credits BONAP©2024