Echinacea angustifolia....not your garden purpurea

Echinacea angustifolia

The Power of Echinacea: purpurea and angustifolia

Echinacea is a beloved herb and pollinator flower with several native varieties across North America. Many of us are familiar with Echinacea purpurea, the most well-known and widely grown species. This hardy plant is easy to cultivate and packed with medicinal benefits. Over the years, purpurea has even been hybridized to create new garden colors—but here’s an important note: hybridized varieties are not as medicinally potent, nor are they as beneficial to pollinators.

A lesser-known variety, Echinacea angustifolia, is native to the western prairies of North America. At Meeting House Farm, we have nurtured just a few plants over the past five years—though they don’t love Maine’s climate. That’s why I’m so excited to welcome Garret from Flat Top Ranch in Montana to The Herb Growers Collaborative. Garret has fields of angustifolia growing wild in Montana—what abundance!

Now, you may be wondering: What’s the difference between angustifolia and purpurea?

Both varieties are incredible allies for immune support, but they have distinct specialties. As an herbalist, I prefer to extract both varieties to provide a broad spectrum of immune system support. Specifically, angustifolia is especially powerful in helping the body defend against urinary tract infections. The alkaloids in its roots differ from those in purpurea, making both varieties valuable additions to your herbal toolkit.

Growing and Harvesting Tips

Echinacea angustifolia can be started from seed—but fair warning, it’s a painstaking process! We’ve done it at Meeting House Farm, but this plant truly thrives in the wild, self-seeding and spreading at will. However, if you’re a plant geek like me, you’ll enjoy the challenge. The key is stratification, patience, and plenty of nurturing.

We’ve never harvested our angustifolia roots at Meeting House Farm, preferring to let our patch expand in the hopes of a future harvest. Compared to purpurea, angustifolia grows more slowly.

• Purpurea roots can be harvested at year three, while leaves and flowers can be gathered in the first and second years.
• Angustifolia roots, on the other hand, take at least five years to reach a harvestable size. Leaves and flowers, however, can be harvested as early as the first year.
• When harvesting echinacea roots, do so in the fall during plant dormancy.

At Meeting House Farm, we offer Echinacea purpurea as seedlings or bare root plants—this is a great place to start if you’re new to growing Echinacea.

Echinacea for Health and Wellness

Echinacea is best known for its ability to support the immune system, helping the body work through colds and flu. Regardless of variety, it’s most effective when used for acute conditions rather than long-term support. Because it acts as an immune stimulant, it’s best taken for short periods—such as when you’ve been exposed to a virus or feel the first signs of illness.

Echinacea angustifolia is especially exciting to me because it’s rare in the Eastern U.S. and offers unique benefits for urinary tract infections.

Think of Echinacea (Both Varieties) for These Supportive Needs:

• Immune System Support – Use at the onset of illness or after exposure to viruses, colds, flu, or cold sores.
• Urinary Tract Health – Angustifolia is particularly beneficial for preventing and supporting the body during urinary tract infections.
• Healthy Skin – As an anti-inflammatory, Echinacea supports skin hydration at the cellular level, reduces inflammation from acne and eczema, and promotes wound healing.

Whether you’re growing your own or incorporating it into your herbal apothecary, Echinacea is an herbal powerhouse worth having in your garden